Meet Jack

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Meet St. Francis de Sales Senior Jack Downs, Grant Thornton Scholarship Winner

Jack Downs is a senior at St. Francis de Sales High School. He chose St. Francis de Sales because of the small class sizes, individualized attention and the community support.  And each year he is more sure it was the right decision.

This last year, Jack was awarded through Big Shoulders Fund, the Grant Thornton Scholarship.  The Grant Thornton Scholarship is a two-year financial award that includes a two week summer internship.  Support and experience is one thing that makes this award unique.

This last summer Jack’s two-week internship at Grant Thornton had him working along side college interns. Jack worked with a number of accountants and other staff. While learning what they do at Grant Thornton, Jack was able to help out in different ways:

“At Grant Thornton, I learned how to use their scheduling program, how to use excel spreadsheet in a new way, and how to make some really good coffee!” said Jack.  

The opportunity of the internship gave him a taste for accounting.  Jack is not sure he wants to study accounting in college but he learned a lot during his experience.

“Even though I don't think I like accounting, I learned the value of hard work, and how to traverse my surroundings like an adult”.

Internships give experiences beyond the actual work. Jack met new people and saw the city in a new light heading down to the loop every day. It was also tons of fun!  

“Everyday, a different person took me out to lunch to whatever restaurant I chose. On my first week, the end of the fiscal year happened, and there was a big party in which we had food and a presentation from the CEO. The next week, the college interns left for the summer, and the company threw them a boat cruise. I was invited along and had lunch and a party on the boat.”  

For Jack this was an eye-opening experience.

As Jack starts his senior year, this opportunity has given him a chance to think more about college and what he sees for his future.  We know that no matter what he does, Jack has a bright future ahead of him.

Meet Juan

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Meet Sophomore Juan Gonzalez and read about his HOBY Leadership Training this past summer.

Learning takes place all year round, in the classroom and out of the classroom. Juan Gonzalez, a St. Francis de Sales Junior, epitomizes the well-rounded student and the yearlong learner.

In the classroom – 

Juan likes all his classes and has learned the lessons in the classroom can impact his current experiences:

“I had a project in my World Geography class during freshman year which had me doing research on the violation of Human Rights. I learned that there are still people in the modern world that are not receiving the treatment that they, as humans, should deserve. The problems of the past are not all gone yet.”

This learning was reflected in his summer experience at the HOBY Leadership Program.

 Over the summer---

Excel. Lead. Empower.  The HOBY Leadership Program taught Juan the importance of giving his best effort, the true meaning of leadership and empowered him to reach his goals.

Watch this video! 

 

“My summer leadership program was called HOBY, which stands for "Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership." It was held in Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois. Their objective is to inspire teens to devote themselves to leadership. I learned that leadership is not a rank. It involves helping others, becoming a role model, and doing the right thing. With my group, we worked on problems together as a team, and found solutions to difficult challenges. We also reflected on how we could be a leader in our own community too.”

“The summer experience taught me to give all my effort towards anything. Whether it be work that has to get done or meeting someone for the first time, I should always show and give 110%. I plan to be a strong leader.”

Juan knows that one way he can do that is to take his learning beyond the classroom into his many activities

Outside the classroom ---

Coming from Immaculate Conception, Juan started off his high school career getting involved in many activities. Juan participates in the following clubs at St. Francis de Sales:

Drama, Podcasting, Campus Ministry, Student Council, and National Honor Society.

He also has been awarded for his hard work.

“I have obtained the Valenti Scholarship, became one of the student ambassadors for the Big Shoulders Humanitarian Award Dinner, and have been accepted into Student Council and NHS.”

Being a well-rounded learner, we know Juan can reach his goals

Juan Gonzalez plans to attend college after SFDSHS and his career aspirations are to be a software engineer.

“SFDSHS helps me in so many ways, including offering me actual course work in my potential field of study -- Computer Applications. I know I need to be persistent, and St Francis de Sales is already helping me through the challenging work, big projects, outside activities, and opportunities to lead.”

Juan is truly a well rounded student and brings so much to our school. We can’t wait to see what more he will do at St. Francis de Sales, in college and in life. 

Meet Olivia

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Olivia graduated St. Francis de Sales High School this year with a long list of activities and accomplishments. During her tenure at St. Francis de Sales, Olivia has grown into an independent, self-motivated and driven young woman ready to tackle college.

Coming to St. Francis de Sales from Our Lady of Guadalupe was an eye-opener for Olivia.  The small Catholic school setting was familiar but the high school expectations were new.  Olivia took advantage of every opportunity provided:  

“During my four years at SFDS, I have been in numerous clubs including; Drama, Newspaper, Yearbook, S.T.A.R.S, Campus Ministry and NHS. I have done cheerleading and soccer, and I have also volunteered to help at open houses, clean the school, and orientations. I guess it would be safe to say that I live at SFDS because I spend more time at the school then at home”

Attending a Catholic school has made her a more responsible person and opened her eyes to volunteering and helping others and it prepared her for college.   Olivia has received over $115,000 in scholarships from numerous schools and has made the decision to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago in the fall. She will major in Psychology and minor in theater.  

As a culmination of her education, this year Olivia took the initiative to organize the Black History Month Expo.  Olivia approached all three social studies teachers and set up a meeting to create a black history month expo for each of our students to participate in. Olivia explained that in the past, the school hosted an expo during lunch but that hadn’t last year. She explained that the project was very special to her and she truly enjoyed working on the assignment. She collaborated with some of her classmates and got some ideas and feedback prior to approaching the teachers and Principal Kimec.

Olivia spearheaded the entire operation. She had a vision and made it a reality. “We as teachers are so proud of Olivia for being so proactive about a topic that is important to her. She knows that this is more school work to do, but she truly wants to learn and become inspired by this project. Her initiative has inspired me to ‘up my game’ as a teacher, and all three of us as teachers are just awe-struck by how hard she is working to make this expo a reality” Said Kristi Rodenbeck Social Studies Teacher.

We are proud of Olivia. As her sister enters her 8th grade year and begins to look at high schools, Olivia will encourage her to attend St. Francis de Sales because it has given her a good start in life and Olivia believes it can do the same thing for her sister.

Meet Gregory

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Gregory is a junior and a Big Shoulders Fund Auxiliary Board Scholar at St. Francis de Sales High School.  When asked to speak at the annual Auxiliary Board dinner in September, Gregory and his parents were thrilled to have the opportunity to say thank you to the Auxiliary Board and to share some of his thoughts on the education he has received at St. Francis de Sales High School.

"Mrs. Ramirez, one of my teachers, told me that the Big Shoulders Auxiliary Board scholarship has supported dozens and dozens of St. Francis de Sales students over the years.

We make the most out of your contribution. We need it because although the school is a great one, we cannot do it alone.

St Francis de Sales is my school. The students inside are full of promise and our teachers see that promise. There is no doubt I am a proud Pioneer! Thank you for all you do to help all of us"

Choosing St. Francis de Sales was a family decision and one Gregory’s family agreed upon.

It was important to Gregory’s parents that he attend a school where he was safe and secure so he could focus his energy and time on academics while receiving the structure, faith, and character development delivered by a strong Catholic education. It was important for Gregory to be able to play all the sports he loves and to help bring the Pioneers success.

He has done both by playing basketball and baseball at St. Francis de Sales!

 Gregory’s favorite and most memorable moment at St Francis de Sales was during his sophomore year while playing varsity basketball.  That year the team went to the super-sectional game. “Sadly we lost, but at that moment I was so happy because we brought St Francis so far in the basketball season. You only go to high school once and not everyone gets the chance to do something like this.  Our team was so close and together we reached a goal that few thought we would that season!”

 When Gregory attended Coolidge Middle School, he had no idea at all what was ahead for him. He is happy with his St. Francis de Sales experience. And his parents? They are as well. This year they chose to have Gregory’s little sister join him at St. Francis de Sales as a freshman.  Soon we will be reading her story!