All I really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

I really enjoyed the Thursday night premiere of The Freshman Play, All I really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, directed by English teacher Erin Lundin. Cast members (listed below) were really remarkable!  The play was, by turns, touching, sweet, and hilarious.

The play is a series of montages.  Cast members perform thoughout the show in a series of ensemble pieces as well as taking the lead in extended monologues.  

Congratulations to the entire cast!  I know to expect great things from these students from the theater in the next four years!

Cast List (all class of 2018):

Chloe Bassett

Jackie Greager

Diva Harsoor

Amaris Hernandez

Virginia Jablonski

Meghan Johnson

Raunak Malhotra

Alex Martin

Claire Mueller

Kaitlyn Phillips

Sam Rasmussen

Alex Roca

Michelle Skibicki

Nick Speziale

Megan Thiesfeld

Newspaper Story Highlights HC Investment Club

Photo Credit: Chuck Fieldman, Sun-Times Media

There's a great story out today in The Doings featuring HC's Investment Club, which is led by Co-Presidents Suraj Khatau (HC '16) and Matthew Yeh (HC '16).  In this club students learn about investing, invite expert guest speakers, studying the market in groups, and learn investing by investing themselves and tracking their efforts.   

Michael Palmquist, English teacher and faculty sponsor of the club, notes the twin goals of the club in the article:

“Kids who want to pursue a career in this can get practical experience, and everyone needs to know how to invest,” he said. “A benefit for kids who are involved in the club is that their involvement definitely can help when they fill out college applications for business schools.”

Here are a couple paragraphs from the article, ("Hinsdale Central Students Get Real Experience With Investment Club") written by Chuck Fieldman:

“I like the idea of getting hands-on experience,” Yeh said. “This allows us to get a look at what goes on in the real world.”

Junior Madeline Argires was not involved in the club during her first two years at Central, but is excited about being active this year.

“I really want to get into business, and I couldn’t fit any business classes into my schedule this year,” she said. “This club gives me the opportunity to really learn something, even though I won’t be in any of the business classes now.”

Yeh and Khatau said there is no financial investment required for participation in the club. However, most who are involved invest $25 to $250. And that money is invested by the club in the stock market.

Another published Hinsdale Alum!

I just received a wonderful note from Annie Cappetta (HC '14) at the University of Miami.  She is a freshman at college and already a paid columnist at her school newspaper, The Miami Hurricane.

Her first column, about how sharing "faulty facts" undermines the cause of feminists, can be found here:  http://www.themiamihurricane.com/2014/09/28/faulty-facts-undermine-womens-equality/

She is a regular columnist.  Her next column will be about, as she recently told me via email: "Next week’s column is on the decision of the Miami Beach City Council to install body cameras on every police officer, code inspector, and parking official in the city."  See all of her writing for the Miami Hurricane here.  

I am so proud that Annie, who was in my class during her junior year, is so quickly getting noticed with her writing!  I'm looking forward to following this smart young author!

I recently wrote about another recent Central grad who is writing for a national publication here.

The first Devils' Advocate for the Year Has Arrived!

Check out the September issue of the Devils' Advocate for the year!  This is the first issue from the Advocate staff sponsored by English Department teacher Cherise Lopez.  If you want a copy of this issue or a subscription, contact Cherise at clopez@hinsdale86.org

You can read this issue (and issues from last year) online here:  http://www.hcdevilsadvocate.com/ category/print/

Hinsdale Central students also produce Devils' Advocate Online with breaking news, video, interviews, and special features.  Check it out here: http://hcdevilsadvocate.com/

Award-Winning HC English Students!

I just received this very nice note from Elmhurst College English professor Dr. John Gills.  Dr. Gills carbon-copied me on an email he sent to the Board of Education in praise of four Hinsdale Central English teachers.  Congratulations to Mr. Bhatti, Mrs. Burrell, Mrs. Fehrman, and Mr. Friebel for your dedication to helping students achieve recognized excellence in writing!  I am aware that your names come up continually to me about your impactful mentoring and your high expectations.  I can’t wait to get my copy of Illinois English Bulletin!

(Dr. Gills retired from the Central English Department about a decade ago.)

Dear Members of the Board,

I’m sure you’re aware of these excellent Hinsdale Central English students who were identified as outstanding writers in the current edition of the Illinois English Bulletin from the Illinois Association of Teachers of English, but as a former HT English teacher, I just wanted to join in praising them.

Satyajit Krishnan and Samrita Sawhney – guided by Hasham Bhatti.

Sylvana Caruso, Morgan Fitzgerald, Madison Wagner and Caroline Sudduth – guided by Angelique Burrell.

Kathryn Cua, Paxton Gammie and Alexandra Solovyev – guided by Heather Fehrman.

Steven Chun, Jack McGowan, Srinivas Kaza and Brandon Weller – guided by Jared Friebel.

Congratulations to these fine writers and their superb teachers!

Dr. John Gills

Elmhurst College English Department