PATRICK LEE
BARRINGTON
Tennis
CLASS RANK
1 of 687
COLLEGE: Yale
PATRICK LEE can’t control time, so he simply ignores it.
In his bedroom, the Barrington tennis standout turns the clocks face down, acknowledging them only if he has to set an alarm to get up the next morning. In school he often has hung around well after the bell to pepper a teacher with questions, even if he had somewhere else to be.
While too many of us are slaves to grades and test scores, Lee fixates on learning for its own sake and seems almost insulted that a timepiece might interfere.
“It’s a curiosity I have about everything,” he said last week in explanation.
That attitude makes Lee a natural fit for the 2006-2007 Tribune Scholar-Athlete Team, our 17th annual salute to 20 seniors who are as nimble in the classroom as they are on the playing field.
If Lee doesn’t particularly care about his academic numbers, that doesn’t seem to have hurt them. He is No. 1 in his class, has perfect scores on both the ACT and SAT and has received nothing but A’s and A-pluses at Barrington despite taking up to six advanced-placement courses at a time.
The most mind-boggling aspect of that record, though, is that he has accomplished it while participating in close to two dozen extracurricular or non-school activities during each of the last two years. In school they have ranged from helping lead a student project aimed at breaking down stereotypes and cliques to helping start a chapter of the Mikva Challenge, an organization that tries to get Chicago-area students actively involved in the political process.
In tennis Lee is a four-time state tournament qualifier and an honorable mention selection on the 2007 Illinois High School Tennis Coaches Association Boys All-State Team.
Outside school he has logged more than 300 hours working as a greeter in the Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital emergency room, served on the Barrington Area United Way Youth Board and performed as a violinist with the renowned Magical Strings of Youth, playing at the White House and at the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI.
Lee also has won a boatload of scholarships and awards. He is one of 20 members of USA Today’s 2007 All-USA High School Academic First Team, and in February he received the Union League Club of Chicago’s Democracy in Action Award from Sen. John McCain of Arizona, then had to leave early for a national debate competition at Harvard the next day.
Lee, who is still just 17, is outgoing and seemingly unaffected by his feats or the spotlight that has at times accompanied them, particularly last fall when he was a national finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman.
If his results are impressive, they aren’t always pretty. As a school year would progress, Lee disclosed, his room would get so messy he would do homework on his bed because it was the only open space.
He may not have time for dusting, but he makes time for almost anything he finds interesting.
“I always believe if you have a passion for something and it comes from within, you find a way to pursue it,” he said.
Ed Plum, his freshman English teacher, recalls how Lee would hang around a half-hour after class to pursue additional knowledge. Plum had that next period free, but he knew his student didn’t.
“Finally I said, ‘Patrick, I don’t think the teacher would take too kindly to your being late every day on a pass from me,'” said Plum, who has remained a mentor for Lee. “He didn’t stay as long after that but would always stay after class and have questions.
“He loves to learn. I think the standard he sets for himself far exceeds what is expected.”
Lee referred to his battle with time in the graduation speech he gave as class valedictorian. He called his tardiness in part a “rebellion” against the bell schedule, adding that the beauty of life is “the only rules that are truly absolute are the ones we set for ourselves.”
Plum initially worried that the exhausting schedule Lee assigned himself might result in burnout. That never happened, in part, the teacher said, because of the almost childlike fascination with which Lee approaches learning but also because Lee has realized that the ultimate joy is trying new things — often fun things — you haven’t already mastered.
Those have included playing the male lead this year in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” his first attempt at a high school musical; co-founding a Harry Potter club (he is “Minister of Magic”) and amassing enough tickets playing Skee-Ball at Chuck E. Cheese to win a Superman lunch box he promptly took to school and plans to use at college.
This summer Lee will spend a month participating in the HERO Youth Ambassador Program, in which 25 American teenage volunteers travel to Namibia or South Africa to work in HERO-sponsored schools helping children in areas affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Then he’ll get ready to enroll at Yale, where he may try to make the tennis team. Lee is extremely interested in journalism, medical research and international relations but is uncertain where his constantly evolving collection of interests will take him.
“I want to find something that synthesizes them all,” he said. “I definitely don’t have static goals. I’m still formulating, I guess.
“I definitely think it is up for the taking.”
MIKE CAPOCCI
GLENBARD EAST
Basketball
CLASS RANK 24 of 597
COLLEGE: Northwestern
It’s close to home and an academic powerhouse.
MAJOR: Still undecided. Maybe economics with a minor in Spanish.
ROLE MODELS: I have a few. Brian Wardle, who played at Hinsdale Central and Marquette, (ex-NU star) Tavaras Hardy, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany.
FAVORITE MOVIE(S): “300” and “The Departed.”
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: I’m happy. I’m looking forward to finding out what the future holds and starting a new chapter.
WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Surprisingly quick.
MICHELLE CHMIELEWSKI
CRYSTAL LAKE CENTRAL
Volleyball
CLASS RANK
1 of 314
COLLEGE: Virginia
I got the “Fiske Guide to Colleges” and it caught my attention.
MAJOR: Economics and international relations.
DREAM JOB: A recent idea I had came after watching “The Constant Gardener.” Because of that I became interested in pharmaceutical distribution in Third World countries.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Zoolander.” Life is so serious, I think every once in a while you need to kick back and relax with a stupid movie.
WHEELS: I’m driving my dad’s van. I look like a soccer mom.
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: It’s bittersweet. I think high school is what you make of it–I had a great time. At the same time, I’m ready.
MATT CONRATH
ST. RITA
Football
CLASS RANK 17 of 189
COLLEGE: Virginia
It’s just a great place for me. I’m very comfortable with the academics.
ROLE MODEL: My dad, Dave.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Knocked Up.”
PET: I have a boxer named Payton.
WHEELS: A ’94 Buick LeSabre — I fit in it.
CUBS OR SOX: White Sox.
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LAST BOOK YOU READ FOR FUN: “The DaVinci Code.”
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: Both. St. Rita is a great place. But I’m also looking forward to a great future.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Great.
BRITTANY DOSS
ROSARY
Swimming
COLLEGE: Western Kentucky.
For swimming. They gave me a scholarship.
CLASS RANK NOT AVAILABLE.
ACT: 31
MAJOR: I’m thinking premed with a major in biology.
DREAM JOB: Pediatrician or vet.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Walk the Line.”
FAVORITE MUSIC: Guster and Coldplay.
CUBS OR SOX: Undecided. My cousin [Dave Otto] played for the Sox but announces for the Cubs.
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: I’m happy I’m able to do something different but sad to leave all my friends. I’m going to miss high school swimming.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Memorable.
ANNIE FESL
HERSEY
Volleyball
CLASS RANK
38 of 510
COLLEGE: Cincinnati
It’s a volleyball school. I really like the coaches and their education program.
ROLE MODELS: I look up to my sister Megan. She played volleyball on the same club team as me and is playing in college.
DREAM JOB: I just want to be a high school math teacher.
FAVORITE MOVIE: The “Pirates of the Caribbean” series.
FAVORITE MUSIC: I love country– Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts.
LAST BOOK YOU READ FOR FUN: The “Gossip Girl” series.
MYSPACE OR FACEBOOK: Facebook.
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: I’m very excited to be off to college.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Amazing.
JIM FOREMAN
WEST CHICAGO
Track and field
CLASS RANK
1 of 504
COLLEGE: Pennsylvania
It has the Wharton School of Business and pole vaulting.
MAJOR: Business.
ROLE MODEL: My uncle Derrick. He’s always there to help me out. He’s my uncle, but more like a friend.
DREAM JOB: It would be sweet to own the Chicago Bears.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Blades of Glory.”
FAVORITE MUSIC: I love Pink Floyd. I love classic rock from the ’80s and ’70s. Also listen to hip country.
PET: A Jack-a-Poo named The Chort.
CUBS OR SOX: Sox.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Amazing.
MELISSA GERGEL
MARIAN CATHOLIC
Track and field
CLASS RANK
28 of 400
COLLEGE: Oregon
I’m running track there. Of all the schools I visited, I liked it the best.
MAJOR: Human physiology.
ROLE MODELS: My sister Mary Kate. I’ve always looked up to her since I can remember.
DREAM JOB: A trainer for a professional team.
FAVORITE MOVIE(S): “Remember the Titans” and “Rudy.”
FAVORITE MUSIC: I love country–Rascal Flatts. Oh, and Jimmy Buffett.
PET: A dog named Abby– she’s a mutt.
CUBS OR SOX: White Sox.
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: Happy to be done. Sad to be done with high school track.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Challenging.
ABBY HIGGINS
BENET
Cross-country, track and field, basketball
CLASS RANK NOT AVAILABLE.
ACT: 29
COLLEGE: Notre Dame It’s a great school academically and it gives me a chance to run at a Division I level.
DREAM JOB: It would be cool to be a journalist. Where I would travel and write about it.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Tommy Boy.” It’s really funny. I pretty much know every line of it.
CUBS OR SOX: Depends on the year.
LAST BOOK YOU READ FOR FUN: I just finished “My Sister’s Keeper” [by Jodi Picoult].
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: It’s kind of bittersweet.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Jam-packed.
TIM HONIG
GLENBARD SOUTH
Track and field, cross-country
CLASS RANK
5 of 381
COLLEGE: Lawrence University
It’s got a good music program. I’ll be studying performance.
ROLE MODELS: I try and grab things I admire from a lot of different people–my family, teammates, musicians and friends.
DREAM JOB: The kind of job that doesn’t feel like a job. The kind of job I wake up and can’t wait to go to work. Something in music.
FAVORITE MUSIC: All kinds of rock and classical with just a hint of jazz.
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: Happy. Definitely ready for the next step. I’m ready to be on my own, following my dreams.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Preparation.
JILL JACOBSON
BEECHER
Softball, volleyball, basketball
CLASS RANK
2 of 83
COLLEGE: Valparaiso
It’s great academically. Everything fit.
MAJOR: Biology.
ROLE MODELS: My parents, Cindy and Steve. For everything they’ve done over the years.
DREAM JOB: Veterinary assistant. I love animals.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “A League of Their Own.”
FAVORITE MUSIC: Country– Rascal Flatts.
PETS: Rabbits, cats, pigs. I show animals at the fair.
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: Mixture of both. I’m excited for college, but I’ll miss high school.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Amazing.
KAYLEE JAMISON
ST. CHARLES NORTH
Track and field, swimming
CLASS RANK
3 of 509
COLLEGE: Minnesota
I picked it mainly based on its swim team.
MAJOR: I’m planning on majoring in biomedical engineering.
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DREAM JOB: Right now Im really interested in prosthetics, especially for athletes.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Remember the Titans.”
FAVORITE MUSIC: I like to dance to hip-hop. And relaxing music like Dispatch.
HOW MANY FRIENDS ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE? Over 300.
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: I’m happy. Parts I’ll miss, but I’m ready to move on.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Memorable.
BILLY JANSSEN
CARMEL
Football
CLASS RANK
16 of 320
COLLEGE: Drake
It’s good academically. I was recruited there for football.
ROLE MODEL: My dad, John. He always works hard.
DREAM JOB: The NFL. But I’ll probably go to grad school first.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “300.”
FAVORITE MUSIC: Everything from alternative to rap.
LAST BOOK YOU READ FOR FUN: “The DaVinci Code.”
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: A mixture of both. I’ll miss my friends and the community.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Fun.
BRITTANY LEBEAU
RICHARDS
Softball
CLASS RANK
16 of 372
COLLEGE: Wisconsin-Whitewater
It was between Marquette and there. I’m going to play softball.
MAJOR: Political science and pre-law.
ROLE MODELS: My parents, Susan and Bruce, are my role models because they’ve been the ones supporting me in sports and in school.
DREAM JOB: I either want to be a sports lawyer or corporate lawyer.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Tommy Boy.”
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: I’m happy to be done with high school, but I know I’ll miss it when I go away.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Amazing.
BRETT LULLO
NAPERVILLE CENTRAL
Swimming
CLASS RANK
20 of 781
COLLEGE: Princeton
It was the best mix of both academics and athletics.
DREAM JOB: I would love to work for Google. I love computers. I hear that their office is one of the best places to work in the country.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Shawshank Redemption.”
WHEELS: Black Dodge Dakota pickup, “The Black Pearl.”
LAST BOOK YOU READ FOR FUN: “Harry Potter.”
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: [High school] was a good experience, but I’m ready to get out–I’ll be back to visit people.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Amazing.
AARON NAGEL
LEMONT
Football
CLASS RANK
8 of 347
COLLEGE: Notre Dame
I’ve always wanted to go there– it’s got a great atmosphere.
ROLE MODEL: Walter Payton. He was a great athlete and great all-around guy.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Wedding Crashers.”
FAVORITE MUSIC: Dashboard Confessional.
PET: A cat named Tiger.
CUBS OR SOX: Cubs.
LAST BOOK YOU READ FOR FUN: I can’t even think of the last book I read.
HOW MANY FRIENDS ON YOUR MYSPACE PAGE? Well over a thousand.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Memorable.
KEITH OTIS
HUBBARD
Football
CLASS RANK
31 of 339
COLLEGE: Northern Illinois
I just felt they would give me the best opportunity academically and athletically.
MAJOR: Business administration.
ROLE MODELS: My mom, Colette Jones, my older brother Eugene Stone and my elementary teacher, Michael Glenn.
DREAM JOB: My ultimate goal is to own and start a Fortune 500 company if the NFL isn’t calling.
LAST BOOK YOU READ FOR FUN: “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Illustrious.
REBECCA TYSON
HINSDALE CENTRAL
Track and field
CLASS RANK
1 of 635
COLLEGE: Williams
They’re great academically but also have the top Division III sports in the nation.
ROLE MODELS: My parents, Jill and Dane. They’ve sacrificed so much. They make constant sacrifices to be good parents.
DREAM JOB: I want to work in the music industry. Not the talent, the business side of it.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Memento.”
FAVORITE MUSIC: I listen to The Rocket Summer.
PET: A cat named Columbus.
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: Both.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Intense.
CAROLINE VANACKER
FREMD
Soccer, volleyball
CLASS RANK
1 of 720
COLLEGE: Illinois
I actually did a two-week architecture program there and loved it.
DREAM JOB: Designing houses.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings” –I’ve got that nerdy side.
FAVORITE MUSIC: Coldplay.
LAST BOOK YOU READ FOR FUN: “When the World Was Young” by Tony Romano.
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: I loved my four years of high school. There are some kids who want to get out–I never felt that way.
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Rewarding.
ALEXANDRA WICH
EVANSTON
Swimming, water polo
CLASS RANK
3 of 688
COLLEGE: Princeton
I fell in love with the campus.
MAJOR: Most likely economics.
DREAM JOB: I’d like to be an investment banker.
FAVORITE MOVIE: “The Little Mermaid.”
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CUBS OR SOX: Cubs.
LAST BOOK YOU READ FOR FUN: “This Side of Paradise” by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
HOW MANY FRIENDS ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE: Close to 400.
HAPPY OR SAD TO BE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL: Little of bit of both–mostly happy.
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: Interesting.
– – –
Each Scholar-Athlete must be either in the top 10 percent of his or her class or score a 30 on the ACT, be all-conference in at least one sport and be nominated by his or her school. In most cases, class rank is through seven semesters.
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