Academy Alumni Profiles

Bartlett High School Academy of Science, Engineering, and High Technology

Elgin High School Gifted and Talented Academy

  • Katie Spets

    Katie Spets

    Katie Spets may be in her first year of teaching at Elgin High School. But no one needed to tell her how to find her way to her classroom or the teachers’ lounge, or the shortest route to the cafeteria.

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  • Leah Vercelli

    Leah Vercelli

    Academy teachers inspired Leah Vercelli to 'pay it forward.'

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  •  Liz Tippy is a 2008 graduate of Elgin High School’s Gifted and Talented Academy

    Liz Tippy

    Liz Tippy’s career is by the numbers, but working at Walt Disney World is anything but routine.

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  • Dr. Sandra Carnahan

    Dr. Sandra Carnahan

    To reach her professional dreams, Dr. Sandra Carnahan had to push herself beyond her limits.

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  • Rose Schmidt

    Rose Schmidt

    If you think it’s a long slog waging a campaign for your political party’s nomination for governor, try being a television reporter covering 18 candidates vying for the statehouse.

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Larkin High School Visual and Performing Arts Academy

  • Courtney Reed

    Courtney Reed

    Courtney Reed, a graduate of Larkin High School’s Visual Performing Arts Academy, began performing in plays at age six.

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  • Jessica (Moellendorf) Himmelreich

    Jessica (Moellendorf) Himmelreich

    After graduating from the Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Jessica (Moellendorf) Himmelreich eventually entered the world of business, but she still finds a way to fulfill her creative side.

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  • Jenifer Sniezek

    Jenifer Sniezek

    After studying dance at the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Larkin High School, Jenifer Sniezek took steps to reach her childhood dream of practicing veterinary medicine.

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  • Joseph Pitt

    Joseph Pitt

    Joseph Pitt studied vocal performance during his days at the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Larkin High School.

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  • Mary Czech

    Mary Czech

    Contrary to popular opinion, show business is not all that glamorous. That said, a life in the entertainment industry is just fine with Mary Czech.

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South Elgin High School Broadcast Education and Communication Network Academy

  • Ryan Jenkins

    Ryan Jenkins

    The good news for Ryan Jenkins is, he knows exactly what his dream job is.

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  • Mario Calero

    Mario Calero

    A love of televised competition — and a little guidance and experience from the Broadcast Education and Communications Network Academy — helped get Mario Calero into the game.

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  • Mia Atkins

    Mia Atkins

    The bright lights have gone on for “Living Local,” an hourlong lifestyles program on Fox affiliate KXRM in Colorado Springs, Colorado. And there at the anchor desk, right in the middle of things, is Mia Atkins.

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Streamwood High School World Languages and International Studies Academy

  • Sury Jimenez

    Sury Jimenez

    Sury Jimenez’s experience at Streamwood High School’s World Languages and International Studies Academy is adding up to a rewarding career.

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  • Joceline Jimenez

    Joceline Jimenez

    Joceline Jimenez, who now works as a User Experience designer for a pharmaceutical company, credits her Academy time with giving her an introduction to what a business career looks like.

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  • Mitch Bendis

    Mitch Bendis

    Mitch Bendis has no trouble keeping himself busy.

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  • Audrey Kopecky

    Audrey Kopecky

    The firm grounding Audrey Kopecky gained while attending the World Languages and International Studies Academy at Streamwood High School helped her plant strong roots in the business world.

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  • Maria Ranahan

    Maria Ranahan

    Funny thing about Streamwood High School graduate Maria Ranahan: She takes her work seriously.

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  •   Brian Poustinchian

    “The Academy taught a well-rounded education from the beginning and helped me get a better background.”
    Dr. Brian Poustinchian, Bartlett High School Academy of Science, Engineering and High Technology Academy Graduate

    Ashley Horne

    “I think the academy jump-started my career trajectory.”
    Ashley Horne, Elgin High School Gifted and Talented Academy Graduate

    Mary Czech

    “I knew I had a passion for the performing arts and theater, but you have to know the backstage life before you can do it.”
    Mary Czech, Larkin High School Visual and Performing Arts Academy Graduate 
     

    Mario Calero

    “BEACON kind of transformed me."
    Mario Calero, South Elgin High School Broadcast Education and Communications Network Academy Graduate

    Audrey Kopecky

    “I would recommend the Streamwood program to anyone. It was just a great experience overall.”
    Audrey Kopecky, Streamwood High School World Languages and International Studies Academy Graduate