{valpo}TEXT{/valpo}What’s Happening?
Andrean students just returned from their spring break, during which many students were busy exploring the world and expanding their horizons. Some of the Fifty Niners’ spring break destinations are South Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York City, and many more.
Every year during spring break, a group of Andrean teachers take a group of Andrean students abroad. They are given the chance to experience global culture in a personal way. This year, the annual spring break trip was to Madrid, Spain, Paris, France, and Rome, Italy. The trip was eight days long. Students went to local restaurants and markets, museums, and famous landmarks. At restaurants and markets, they tasted authentic European food. They were also given the opportunity to practice languages they were learning in class with native speakers. They had a scavenger hunt in the Louvre in Paris. They posed in front of the Colosseum in Rome. These are just a few examples of how Andrean students were able to engage in an international community. All in all, the students returned from the trip enriched with new experiences and good memories.
Spring break is the last break from school before summer, so the return leaves students focused on final exams, standardized testing, and plans for when the school year ends.
What’s Coming Up?
As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, the junior and senior classes are excited for prom. "Promposals," as they are called, and dress-and-tux shopping are well under way at this point of the season. This year's prom will take place on April 23, and it will be held on a boat. The boat is a selling point for many students who want prom pictures against the picturesque setting of the city of Chicago. The boat will leave from Navy Pier and the prom will have dancing, music, and food.
Also at this point in the semester, advanced placement classes are rigorously preparing for the exams that take place in the beginning of May. This year, Andrean students in AP classes are required to take the corresponding AP exams. Because of this new requirement, a courtesy has been extended to these AP students: they are not required to take the second semester final exams for those classes. That leaves many students working hard to end the semester strong.
On April 30, Andrean is holding a trivia night for people 21 years of age or older. The game will be 10 rounds, and is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.
Teacher Shout Out
Mr. Grabek is the theater director here at Andrean High School, which means that he oversees everything that goes into putting on the theatrical productions that occur throughout the school year. The most recent of these productions is Walt Disney's Beauty and the Beast for the spring musical, being performed April 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16 at 7 and April 10 and 17 at 2.
Beauty and the Beast was challenging for a myriad of reasons. There is heavy tech presence in this show, and Mr. Grabek made it a priority that everyone get along. "No drama in the drama department," he said. He instituted this rule so that everyone would be able to work well together.
For the technical aspects, Mr. Grabek had some assistance from tech crew. Junior Patrick Librandi designed nearly the entire set, and between the two of them, they put in around 400 hours building it. The set included mock marble stairs, bookshelves, a rose that drips petals through the show, and much more. The end result was very impressive.
Grabek was very pleased with the opening night. Instead of waiting for curtain call, the audience sprang to its feet the minute the final note rang out. No one in theater had seen a standing ovation happen that fast.
As for the future, Grabek believes that each year, theater has upped the ante a little bit more. "You can count on us doing that again, because I've got big plans," he said.
Student Shout Out
Thomas Pampalone's height may allow him to tower over a significant percentage of the senior class, but he is just a freshman at Andrean this year.
Tom is highly intelligent, and his favorite class is humanities. He thinks that it is an interesting topic, and Mr. Stablein, the teacher, is fun and good at what he does.
Tom pursues academic areas outside of the classroom by joining academic super bowl and quiz bowl. He is one of only two freshmen on the quiz bowl team, but he is a valued member because of his knowledge of various sciences. Quiz bowl is his favorite extracurricular activity because he finds it fun and exciting, and he enjoys working together as a team. After junior varsity won first place at its tournament, last month, Tom traveled with the varsity quiz bowl team to its state competition. As far as academic super bowl, Tom is working with the science and history teams to prepare for the state competition on April 19.
Outside of academics, Tom is also participates in sports. He is a member of the tennis team.
So, if you are looking for a smart, involved student with a tendency toward bad jokes, look for Tom Pampalone. He's only been at Andrean for a year, but we know he'll do big things.