Joliet West High School Announces Mr. and Miss Alpha Omega

Joliet West High School seniors Myra Perez-Hernandez and Zackary Reece were recently awarded the prestigious title of Mr. and Miss Alpha Omega for the 2012-2013 school year at the Senior Awards Ceremony held on May 9.

The Mr. and Miss Alpha Omega contest is an annual event sponsored by the yearbook that names the best all-around senior boy and girl. This is an honored and long-standing tradition of JTHS history.

“In order to be considered a finalist, students needed to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 for eight straight semesters,” said sponsor Terra Meyer. “The finalists were required to submit a resume and cover letter to a panel of judges highlighting their academic career. Finalists are also interviewed by a panel of community volunteers.”

Perez-Hernandez has packed her schedule full of Honors and
Advanced Placement classes during her time at West in order to “excel in
everything and anything I may decide to do with my life and to flourish into a
person that my loved ones can be proud of.”  She has taken advantage of
the numerous clubs and activities offered at West by participating in: Mu Alpha
Theta, National Honor Society, Chess Club, Mock Trial, French Club, Students of
Service, Key Club and Latin Heritage Club. “I am proud of the groups I have
been involved with because they reflect a good cause and are a part of my
life,” Perez-Hernandez revealed.

Perez-Hernandez has received numerous awards throughout her
academic career, which she feels are the symbol of appreciation and have shown
how she stands out amongst her peers. Although she is uncertain where she will
attend college, she plans to major in Chemistry on the Pre-Med Track, with
minors in Biology and Romantic Languages. She attributes her successes to her
parents and states that, “the main reason for all the grueling work I have put
myself [through] and all the high standards I have set up for myself is because
I refuse to be anything but the best.”

During Reece’s four years at Joliet West, he has worked hard
to ensure that he would not be viewed as “just another student.” A student of
the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) academy, Reece has challenged himself in numerous math and science classes. These classes have
helped him prepare for his next four years of education at Iowa State
University, where he plans to major in Chemistry and minor in Law.

While at Joliet West, Reece has involved himself in many
athletics and activities including: Boys Volleyball, Football, Mu Alpha Theta
and the award-winning Joliet Cyborgs Robotics Team. Through those activities,
he has also taken on leadership roles, including project leader and team leader
of the Robotics Team and captain of the Boys Volleyball and Football teams.
Reece’s involvement does not stop at school, however. He has been employed at
TJMaxx for the past two years, and has volunteered time with the YMCA and Feed
My Starving Children. Reece credits his mom and coaches for his success, and
aims to “make and leave my mark and impression on the people I meet on my way to the top.”

Perez-Hernandez and Reece were selected from a pool of 20
finalists. Mr. Alpha Omega finalists for the 2012-2013 School Year include:
Jefferson Aguirre, Nicholas Freeze, Guillermo Grimaldo, Derrick Judkins Jr,
Zachary Manos, Eliya Prieboy and Matthew Ryan.

Miss Alpha Omega finalists include: Viviana Arriaga, Kaitlin
Contos, Kaitlyn McKay, Lydia Perez, Carlie Rambo, Elizabeth Sanchez and Joy
Strode.

The Mr. Alpha Omega first runner up was Jacob Godlewski and
second runner up was Jovanny Gallarzo. The Miss Alpha Omega first runner up was Markeysha Small and second runner up was Kaitlyn Brick.

Mr. and Miss Alpha Omega Judges for the 2012-2013 School
Year include: Stacey Gonzales, Joliet West Academy Coordinator; Chief Justin
Meyer, Chief of Police Minooka Police Department; Carol Collins, Joliet
Township Project Director; Al Filliponi, Joliet Township Curriculum Director;
Jan Quillman, Joliet City Council, Barbara Martin, President and CEO Vista
Health System, Lewis University Board of Trustees, NorStates Bank Board of
Trustees, Illinois Hospital Association Board of Directors; Richard Espinoza,
Superintendent of Rockdale Elementary School District 84; Nicole Meagher,
Senior Manager of Communications- Chicagoland Speedway; Don White,
Superintendent of Troy CCSD 30-C;  Dr. Gary Bradbury, Superintendent of
Laraway CCSD 70-C; Cathie Peznoski, Superintendent of Elwood Community
Consolidated District 203; and Dr. Mary Balsie, Joliet Township Curriculum
Director.