Three seniors selected by Maine Township High School District 207 as "207's Best” for January have been recognized by the Board of Education.  All three –Brenda Gomez of Maine West, Megan Milito of Maine South and Brandy Genna Rubin of Maine East – were recognized for Improved Performance.

West Principal Dr. Audrey Haugan said that Brenda Gomez presents a case study in developing a work ethic.  Dr. Haugan wrote that during Brenda’s early days at West: “Her grades were not great, and she did not seem to have an interest in Maine West.”  By her own admission, she did little homework.  During her sophomore year, she began to change her ways, pulling a low freshman GPA up to 2.5, which she boosted to 3.4 as a junior before earning all A’s and B’s to date in her senior year.  Dr. Haugan wrote that “We are proud of Brenda, particularly because she has made these changes on her own.” Brenda told the Board she is enthusiastically applying for college and that she plans to study secondary education.

Megan Milito’s improved performance occurred through relentless determination to deal with dyslexia.  Megan wrote of her early school years that “I would sit back in my chair, ducking from my teacher’s view, praying for my name not to be called.  When I would hear my name I would start to sweat, shake, and almost cry. I knew I couldn’t read, and after hearing the class laugh at the sounds coming out of my mouth, I realized that they knew too.”  That drove Megan to work hard to demonstrate her intelligence. Mission accomplished.  Today her courses include Advanced Placement classes in addition to being a Hawk Pride Leader, P.E. Leader and member of the Hawkettes.   Megan said she has been accepted by Carthage, DePaul, the University of Illinois and Roosevelt, and that she plans to study psychology or social work in preparation to work as a therapist.

Brandy Genna Rubin serves this year as president of Demon-ocracy and East’s Mock Trial team.  She is a member of Amnesty International and DECA.   In his introductory letter, Principal Dr. Michael Pressler noted that Brandy has held a Grade Point Average above 4.0 so far this year, a major improvement from the low GPA of her first three years, when circumstances outside of the classroom made it difficult for her to perform well in the rigorous courses she selected.  Dr. Pressler’s letter included laudatory remarks from several of Brandy’s current teachers, and Dr. Pressler concluded that “her current A-level work more accurately reflects who she is and her potential.”  Brandy said she has been accepted by Loras College in Dubuque and is awaiting word from other schools.

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.