Lemont HS Honors March 'Students of the Month'

Four Lemont High School students were honored with March “Student of the Month” accolades at the district’s Board of Education meeting on March 21. Included among the honorees were senior Claudia Galica (Business), junior Mira Antonopoulos (Science), sophomore Charles Balisalisa (Music) and freshman Kristen Kash (Mathematics).

Each month, Lemont High School honors a student from each grade level for hard work and dedication to the school and the community. Selections rotate among the school’s various departments from month to month. Only 32 students earn “Student of the Month” accolades each school year, with four individuals honored each month from October through May. Students may be selected for this prestigious honor only once in their careers at Lemont High School.

Local businessman Brad Grcevic, of Edward Jones, Inc. (Lemont), contributes a donation each month to a charity selected by the “Student of the Month” award winners. This month’s winners selected Bear Necessities to receive the donation.

An archive of previous “Student of the Month” winners may be found under the “Academics” tab on the district’s website, www.lhs210.net.

Kirsten Kash
Freshman
Mathematics
Kirsten Kash was selected as the Freshman Student of the Month by the Mathematics Department. Kirsten is a high honor roll student whose favorite classes include Integrated Math II Honors and Biology Honors. One of only a handful of freshmen in Integrated Math II Honors, she works hard and is diligent about her quality of work and performance. A member of the state-qualifying Mathletes and Future Business Leaders of America squads, Kirsten is involved with the A Cappella Choir, Student Council, Drama Club and Speech Team. She also serves as the Treasurer of the Freshman Class. Kirsten hopes to attend Northwestern University, and has her sights set on becoming either a doctor or a math teacher or math professor. In her spare time, she is involved with the Girl Scouts and enjoys playing the piano.

Charles Balisalisa

Sophomore
Music
The Music Department picked Charles Balisalisa as the Sophomore Student of the Month. Charles
is a high honor roll performer who enjoys AP Physics I, Spanish II and Jazz Band. His teachers note that Charles ‘lives in the band room,’ and is a leader by example in practice and performance. Charles plays saxophone in the concert, symphonic, jazz and marching bands, and also volunteers to play in the pep band and in jazz combos. He goes out of his way to encourage others to grow musically, and has learned three new instruments to assist in ensembles. Charles also is a member of the boys’ tennis program and sings in the A Cappella Choir. He hopes to major in radiology, and looks forward to traveling to many different places in the world. Outside of music and tennis, Charles likes spending time with family and friends.

Mira Antonopoulos
Junior
Science
Mira Antonopoulos was tabbed as the Junior Student of the Month by the Science Department. Mira most enjoys AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry and AP U.S. History. She is a high honor roll student whose teachers describe her as bright, energetic, and wonderful to have in class. Mira is a member of the state-qualifying Dance team and Mathletes squad, and has earned induction in the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta math honors society, and the Science National Honor Society. Additionally, she is a member of the Argonne Research Program. Mira hopes to study biochemistry or neurology in college, and aims to travel throughout Europe and visit all 50 states. In her spare time, she babysits and tutors, participates in contemporary competitive dance, and enjoys movies, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Claudia Galica
Senior
Business
The Business Department cited Claudia Galica as the Senior Student of the Month. Claudia is a
high honor roll student who most enjoys AP Macroeconomics and Accounting I. She has taken multiple courses within the Business Education curriculum, and comes to class prepared and ready to learn each day. She is a great example for her peers that hard work pays off. Claudia is a National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta math honors society inductee, has interned at a private wealth management firm, and serves as a religious education teacher’s aide. She also was cited with Illinois State Scholar accolades. Claudia plans on studying finance at either the University of Michigan or the University of Illinois, and someday hopes to become an investment banker or financial advisor. She is training to become a lifeguard and swim instructor, and enjoys listening to music, working out, and spending time with friends.