A longtime tradition maintained for many years at Maine Township High School District 207 honors three high-achieving students each month in the 207’s Best program, which spotlights teens for achieving outside of the classroom.
December’s three honorees — Rhys Bakulinski of Maine West, Julia Koza of Maine South, and Rachel Stan of Maine East — were recognized during the December school board meeting for notoriety in their respective school’s fine arts department.
Each month, teachers nominate students for a different rotating achievement category, including community service, improved performance, and this month’s category, performing /fine arts.
Then an executive committee at each of the three high schools selects the final winners, who are later commended by school board members, parents and friends at the monthly board meetings.
The three young women honored this month cover three major aspects of fine arts programming: drama, music, and television production.
Bakulinski, who was nominated by her fine arts teachers for being “intellectually inquisitive, witty, and willing to help others grow in their artistic endeavors” (according to Maine West principal Audrey Hagan), is a leader in the school’s drama and photography programs.
The future musical theater major at Columbia College in Chicago has submerged herself in acting and broadcasting during high school by performing in school musicals and the variety show, and by managing the Maine West student radio station.
Maine South’s Koza, who told the school board she plans to attend either DePaul University or North Park University and major in music education, has a passion for “everything music,” according to school Principal Shawn Messmer.
In between fulfilling her role as the school’s marching band drum major, Koza also stays active in the Italian and Polish clubs, and sings in the Maine South choir. She was recently selected for the Illinois Music Education Association District 7 Honor Choir.
Messmer said Koza is a “consistent leader in the Fine Arts Department who was nominated by her teachers for being hardworking, consistent, curious, friendly, relaxed, and respectful.”
While Bakulinski and Koza prefer the spotlight of the stage, Stan shines behind the scenes as the manager of Maine East’s TV station, a position she’s held for the past two years.
Described by her broadcasting teacher Phil Ash as having a “natural gift for storytelling,” Stan has received two awards at the Chicago Television Educators Council film festival and was honored with second place recognition in the “exceptional work” category at this year’s Northbrook Youth Film Festival.
Maine East principal Michael Pressler commended Stan for being successful in using video “as a vehicle to communicate her insights and as a means to evoke thoughtful reflection from her viewers.”
Stan plans to continue her TV broadcasting studies at Liberty University in Virginia after she graduates high school in the spring. She intends to major in cinematic arts, according to a press release from School District 207.