Schools
Tradition of Excellence Awards: School Board Honors Spring State Qualifers
Athletes represented Geneva in boys tennis, boys and girls track—even the school's 2-year-old badminton program.
School District 304 officials got one last chance Monday to applaud standout students at Geneva High School, as the Board of Education gave out the final Tradition of Excellence awards for the 2010-11 school year.
“At this time, I’d like to thank the board for providing these extracurricular activities that give our students the opportunity to succeed at the state level,” said high school principal Tom Rogers. “Each year about 90 percent of our graduates go on to college, and these days, it’s not always good enough to post a high ACT score or get good grades in classes. These activities give our students the chance to distinguish themselves in a competitive admissions environment.”
Eighteen students qualified for state competitions during the spring sports season, Rogers said, though only four of them were able to attend the award presentation. “It’s a lot harder for students to get to the meetings after school lets out,” noted Rogers. “They have jobs, vacation trips and family occasions.”
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The 2-year-old girls badminton team sent five qualifiers to the state meet May 13 and 14 at Eastern Illinois University. They are doubles players Lauren Blayney, Nora Burkhardt, Allison Donahue and Nicole Schneider and singles player Ann Green.
“For a beginning program to send five players to the state meet is a phenomenal achievement,” Rogers said. “You are leaving a great legacy, and you will be a hard act to follow.”
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Six members of the May 19-21 at Eastern Illinois University. They are Taylor Wickware, who placed fourth in the 800-meter run; Tess Laurette Ehrhardt, who placed 12th in the 1,600-meter run; long jumper Kailie Briza; 1,600-meter runner Rachel Hammond; pole vaulter Erin Kluck; and 3,200-meter runner Liza Tauscher.
One boys tennis doubles duo, Ryan Doeckel and Collin Rapp, qualified for the state meet, held May 26-28 at Palatine High School.
The boys track team sent five athletes to the state meet May 27 and 28 at Eastern Illinois University. They are Russell Acton, 400-meter run and 4x400-meter relay; Ryan Ahern, 110-meter high hurdles, 300-meter low hurdles and 4x400-meter relay; Justin Davis, 4x400-meter relay; Thomas Frederick, 300-meter low hurdles; and Tyler Hickey, 4x400-meter relay.
"Together, these students distinguished themselves, our school and Geneva District 304,” Rogers said.
