D-207 Students Honored for Academic Achievement

The following information was submitted by David Beery, spokesperson at Maine Township High School District 207.

Three seniors selected by Maine Township High School District 207 as "207's Best” for February were recognized by the Board of Education on Feb. 4. All three – Jill Patel of Maine East, Caralin Schneider of Maine South and Pariyamon Thaprawat of Maine West – were recognized for academic achievement.

Jill Patel

Jill Patel earned a 4.83 grade point average through a rigorous schedule that currently includes advanced placement classes in Macro/Micro Economics, Biology, Psychology, Calculus-BC and English Literature and Composition.

In his introductory letter, Maine East Principal Dr. Michael Pressler wrote, “Multiple teachers describe Jill as an outstanding student: mature, thoughtful, curious, kind, polite, respectful, hard-working, diligent in her pursuit of concepts, and having a particularly strong ability to clearly explain challenging concepts to her peers.”

In addition to her academics, Jill serves as a COACH tutor, competes on the Maine East tennis team and volunteers in the Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Pediatrics Ward.

Patel told the Board that while she has not decided where to attend college, she would study to become a pediatrician.

Caralin Schneider

Caralin Schneider ranks in the top 1 percent of Maine South’s senior class with a 4.94 GPA earned in accelerated classes, and seven different advanced placement courses. She has been named a Student of the Month on four occasions and won the Science Award for Accelerated Chemistry, the Social Science Departmental Award and the Foreign Language Honors Award.

Schneider is a Hawk Pride Leader, a Southwords feature writer, secretary of the Spanish Club and a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club. She is a peer tutor, volunteers at a nursing home and is particularly active in her church.

In his introductory letter, Maine South Principal Shawn Messmer quoted a teacher who described Caralin as “a great student and an even better person.”

Caralin told board members while she has not yet chosen a university, she plans to study molecular biology and Spanish.

Pariyamon (Pha) Thaprawat

Pariyamon (Pha) Thaprawat has a 4.861 GPA in a course load that this year includes Multivariable Calculus and Differentiated Equations, advanced placement Macro/Micro Economics, Spanish, U.S. Government, Chemistry and English Literature and Composition.

Thaprawat is a Senior Leader and participates in the President’s Club, Model UN, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Varsity Club, Pi Sigma Pi and played varsity basketball.

In her introductory letter, Maine West Principal Dr. Audrey Haugan quoted government teacher Dan Fouts as writing, “Maturity, passion and conscientiousness.  These are words that capture Pha.”

Thaprawat told board members she plans to study molecular biology and international relations at Harvard, Columbia or the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown.

The "207's Best" program recognizes outstanding students monthly throughout the school year. Academic achievement awards are given in four months.  Extracurricular achievement, community service, improved performance and electives/performing arts are given one month each. Teachers nominate students, and an executive committee makes final decisions. Honorees are then recognized by D-207’s Board of Education, which instituted the program.

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