Three seniors selected by Maine Township High School District 207 as "207's Best” for February have been recognized by the Board of Education. All three – James Loomos of Maine South, Angela Remus of Maine West and Raymond Roman of Maine East – were recognized for Academic Achievement.
James Loomos has compiled a Grade Point Average of 4.89, placing him in the top 1 percent of his senior class, while tackling numerous Advanced Placement courses. Jimmy is president of South’s National Honor Society. He is editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, Southwords, and is editor of the Spanish section of the school’s foreign language magazine, Reaching. He placed second in the nation in Newspaper Association of America competition for one of his sports stories. He is a P.E. Leader and Hawk Pride Leader and a member of the Constitution Team, Class Council and Model United Nations. He is involved in several community volunteer efforts. In his introductory letter, South Principal Shawn Messmer quoted math teacher Dawn Majcen as stating that “he is passionate about learning for the sake of learning” and concluded that “you know that Jimmy Loomos will be successful in the future and that he will make a contribution to society.” Jimmy told Board members he plans to major in political science at Harvard.
Angela Remus has earned a GPA that places her in the top 1 percent of West’s senior class; her current course load includes four AP classes. In her introductory letter, West Principal Dr. Audrey Haugan noted that Angela excels in dance and violin. Angela is a member of National Honor Society, Peer Mentoring, Model United Nations and West’s Human Rights Group. Angela, who is Opinions Editor of the Westerner student newspaper, has earned honors for her writing from the National Council of Teachers of English. She has been involved in tutoring at West and for middle school students. She is a National Merit Commended Scholar. Last summer, she was selected for a U.S. State Department cultural exchange program in Cambodia. Dr. Haugan quoted Social Science teacher Darren Diviak as stating that what impresses him about Angela is “her patience with difficult subject matter and her willingness to wrestle with information until she masters it.” Angela said she plans a college major in international relations.
Raymond Roman has earned a 4.80 GPA and ranks in the top 1 percent of East’s senior class. A member of East’s Gifted Lyceum program, his current schedule includes five AP classes. He has been a cast member for several musicals, plays and V-Shows and has been an active on the school’s Speech and Math teams. Ray was among a select few high school students to earn national recognition for his writing talent this year from the National Council of Teachers of English. In his introductory letter, East Principal Dr. Michael Pressler quoted AP Biology teacher Julie Basile as noting that Ray “is earning a 97 percent in this rigorous course…this is NOT NORMAL…I am nearly at a loss for words to describe how academically talented this young man is.” Dr. Pressler also quoted Lyceum Coordinator Judy Tyler as noting that Ray is the first to volunteer for jobs and gives “110 percent” in everything he does. Ray told the Board that he plans to attend the University of Wisconsin and is considering a major in biology.
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 the Board of Education, which instituted the program.
