Herrick, O'Neill Eighth-Graders Honored

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April 18 marked a very special night for 58 eighth-graders in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 -- 29 from and 29 from -- as they were honored at the annual Select 58 banquet for their citizenship and contributions to school and community.

This year a record number of students submitted applications for the annual recognition, which were reviewed on an identity-blind basis by a committee of past and current Education Foundation board members.

The students and their families who attended the banquet, which is hosted by Herrick Middle School and sponsored by the Education Foundation of District 58, were treated to a high-energy performance by the Caribbean Soul dance ensemble from Downers Grove South High School. They also heard inspiring speeches by former Select 58 winners Hannah Pawlicki (O’Neill alumnus) and Meg Goodell (Herrick alumnus), who spoke about the importance of involvement, service, and making a difference.

Select 58 contributors were Carlucci’s, which provided dinner; Holy Cow Sports, which donated sweatshirts; Binny’s Beverage Depot, which donated beverages; Miles Boone, who donated photography services; Phillips Flowers, which donated flowers; ScotPress, which donated printing services and plaques; Tana Williams, who provided decorations; and Cathy Oriatti, who created the Select 58 cake. This year's Select 58 judges were past and present Foundation directors Greg Bedalov, Clifford Grammich, Amy Kovacevic, Dr. Mark Manzi, Bruce Swanson and Stephen Upshaw. The planning committee included O'Neill Principal Matt Durbala, Herrick Principal Jason Lynde, Herrick secretary Gail Lynde, and Foundation director Jennifer Waldorf.

2012 SELECT 58 HONOREES

Elizabeth Bailey, William Bailey, Melissa Bayer, Rachel Buonauro, Grace Carlson, Peter Carr, Michelle Cervantes, Laura Conklin, Alexandra Cummings, Ann DeCero, Sarah Fantinel, Madison Farnsworth, Benjamin Goodell, Kyle Hall, Tanner Howland, Megan Hung, Elizabeth Jensen, Madeline Johnson, Benjamin Jung, Robert Justus, Fiona Kelly, Francis Kowara, Heidi Kutchek, Julia Lambert, Chloe Lapen, Patrick Leahy, Maya Lee, Tiffany Leung, Tatianna Lewis-Vina, Megan LoBianco, Sydney Lydon, Catherine Lynch, Matthew Mahlan, Marina Margarites, Grace Marino, Dora Milan, Matthew Monk, Liam Morgan, Maximilian O’Meara, Kayla O’Sullivan, Alyssa Pyburn, Gordon Robinson, Margaret Schaub, Zachary Scheffel, Akila Shanmugham, Amelia Smerz, Autumn Steed, Hannah Thompson, Ronie Thottaplackal, Madeline Ungari, Gilles Vang Si, Barbara Vitti, Anna-Victoria Von Kerens, Mary Clare Wall, Anna Webster, James Weiss, Cara Wydra and Jason Zyck