H-F FYI - 2.5.23

Our H-F Co-Ed Cheer team is competing at IHSA State this weekend for a State title in Bloomington, Ill.! Coached by Zenia Boyd, Instructional Assistant, the team captured 2nd Place at IHSA Sectionals, held Jan. 28 at Bradley Bourbonnais H.S. Our team members are: Jayden Caridine, Teylar Chatman, Kumuniye Diabor, Amira Glenn, Mia Hillman, Jamya Kerby, Kameara Kurns, Mariah Lee, Madison Manley, Emoni McDaniel, Crystal Quick, Ramayah Scales, Taylor Simmons, Jaylen Taylor, Myles Taylor, Brea Turner & Peyton Woullard. Go, Vikings!

Next weekend — Feb. 10 & 11 — our H-F Chess Team will compete at IHSA State in Peoria! The team won two of their four matches at IHSA Sectionals on Jan. 28 at Joliet Central High School. The team's most valuable player at Sectionals was junior Matthew Lively, who went undefeated against L-W Central, Bloom Township, L-W East and Andrew. Good luck to our upcoming State competitors: Matthew Brison, Joshua Bray, Elijah Burr, LeShon Courts, SA Davis, Isaiah Joiner, Matthew Lively, Lyndon Proby, Jacob Roe, Kai Scott, Taj Scott & Everett Van Til! The team is coached by Mrs. White, CTE & Math teacher.

Congratulations to our DECA students, who are now headed to DECA state competition in Rosemont the weekend of March 2-4! The team is coached by Mr. O'Neill, CTE teacher. Good luck to the following Vikings, who are competing individually (they are listed with their Sectional results):

• Mitchell Niemiec — 1st Place Accounting Applications
• Tolani Babawale — 1st Place Principles of Finance
• Macy Hamer — 1st Place Principles of Hospitality & Tourism
• Alayna Frangella — 2nd Place Principles of Hospitality & Tourism
• Alessia Faso — 2nd Place Accounting Applications
• Anthony Fanelli — 2nd Place Business Finance
• Makayla Taylor — 2nd Place Entrepreneurship
• Morgan Davenport — 3rd Place Principles of Hospitality & Tourism
• Leo D'Astici — 3rd Place Accounting Applications
• Eniola Opakunle — 3rd Place Principles of Business Management & Administration
• Jack Keigher — 3rd Place Hotel & Lodging Management

And good luck to the these competing Vikings teams (listed with their Sectional results):

• Lucas De La Torre & Sullivan Matthys — 1st Place Entrepreneurship
• Charles Niemiec & Larsen Prokop — 1st Place Financial Services
• Caroline Schoen & Jada Marsh — 2nd Place Hospitality Services
• Alex Williams & Corey Oswalt-Armenteros — 2nd Place Sports & Entertainment Marketing
• Frances Smith & Amelia Bruni — 3rd Place Business Law & Ethics (Tie)
• Jane Ermshler & Eliya Hobson — 3rd Place Business Law & Ethics (Tie)
• Xavier White & Trenton Roseborough — 3rd Place Buying & Merchandising
• Madyson Stein & Elodie Sullivan — 3rd Place Hospitality Services
• Dominic Fanelli & Nick Calomino — 3rd Place Sports & Entertainment Marketing

February is Black History Month, and we are pleased to share resources with you from the H-F Library. Visit the library's website for links, book lists, art, videos and more — click here. Also, be sure to follow H-F on social media (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter) this month as we feature our own amazing history-making alumni, plus mark your calendars for these free special events happening this February (register for them here):

• Student-Staff Discussion: Why Black History Matters — Thursday, Feb. 16, 3:15-4:15 p.m. in the Viking Room
• Student-Staff Discussion: On Being Young and Black in 2023 —Tuesday, Feb. 21, 3:15-4:15 p.m. in the Viking Room
• STEM Panel: Village of Flossmoor and H-F present: Local Black STEM professionals share their experiences and advice with students —Thursday, Feb. 23, 3:15 p.m. in the Viking Room

• Black Excellence Showcase — Tuesday, Feb. 28, 3:15-5:45 p.m. in the South Cafeteria (more details coming soon!)

Families of students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are invited to an online presentation from our Special Education Department on the Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Rehabilitation Services and how to get connected. The presentation will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, on Zoom — click here to join the presentation (Passcode 919923). For more information, contact the Special Education Department at 708-335-5691 or angela.taylor@hf233.org.

This year's Turnabout Dance — Valentine's Day Dream — is set for Saturday, Feb. 18, 8-11 p.m. at Tuscany Falls in Mokena. The dance is open to all H-F grade levels. Tickets ($45/student) are now available online for H-F students at Go.Fan (click here) through Feb. 16. H-F students (not parents) must purchase their own ticket on the GoFan website using the H-F student's name, student's email, student's ID and GoFan ID. Note: Tickets may sell out before the ticket sale end date! Tickets for guests will be sold at the Campus Store; completed & signed guest form is required. For complete details and procedures, click here for the Turnabout Dance Info Packet...

While the temperature drops, it's good to know that spring is just around the corner & that the spring sports season begins soon at H-F!

Start dates:

• Badminton - Monday, Feb. 27: 3:30 p.m. @ Fieldhouse
• Baseball - Monday, Feb. 27: 3:30 p.m. (Varsity) @ Varsity Field; 5:30 p.m. (JV & F/S) @ Fieldhouse / Freshman Field
• Boys' Gymnastics - TBA
• Boys' Lacrosse - Monday, Feb. 27: 3:30 p.m. @ North Field
• Girls' Soccer - Monday, Feb. 27 (Varsity): 7:30 p.m. @ North Turf Room; and Tuesday, Feb. 28 (JV1 & JV2): 3:30 p.m. @ Fieldhouse
• Softball - Monday, Feb. 27: 3:30 p.m. @ Fieldhouse / Softball Fields
• Boys' Tennis - Monday, Feb. 27: 3:30 p.m. @ H-F Racquet & Fitness Club
• Boys' Volleyball - Monday, March 6: 2 p.m. (JV & V) @ South Gym; and 3 p.m. (F) @ North Gym
• Boys' Track & Field - Started! Reach out to Coach Beebe
• Girls' Track & Field - Started! Read out to Coach Green
• Boys' Water Polo - Monday, Feb 27: 5:30 a.m. @ Natatorium
• Girls' Water Polo - Monday, Feb. 27: 3:30 p.m. @ Natatorium

Note to student-athletes: Physical examination forms must be on file in the Athletic Office by the start date in order to participate. Forms can be submitted at the Security Desk in the North Building (Enter Door A) or sent via email to ddehaan@hf233.org. Please note: The Physical Exam/Vaccination Report required for incoming freshman can be used to participate in athletics. Also, a student-athlete interested in participating in a spring sport must be registered on the 8to18 Dashboard (click here).

Mark your calendars for New Faces Theatre's production of Scapin, running Feb. 23-25 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Scapin is a comedic play adapted from Moliére and based on the classic commedia dell’arte tradition (slapstick comedy/farce). Scapin (Mallory Garcia) and Sylvestre (Moira Michel) are the valets of two fathers, Argante (Nicholas Harvey) and Geronte (Devin Kenebrew). Scapin facilitates outlandish schemes in order to help out the two young men of the house, Leander (Damarian Green) and Octave (Bryce Stewart). Directed by Mrs. Calderon, H-F English & Fine Arts teacher, it is a story about trickery, love, secret marriage and ludicrous scenarios that lend themselves to lots of laughter. Tickets ($5-$10) will be sold online; link is coming soon!

Are you searching for more H-F news or looking for an easy way to stay on top of all things H-F? Bookmark this new page on the H-F website — H-F News Central — where you'll find the latest enewsletters, print publications, videos, tweets & more!

Above: Friday, Jan. 27, was the second Friday Spirit Day of the semester and many Vikings enjoyed the chance to be comfortable and cozy at school — even Mrs. Pesha's Little Vikings participated! Did you miss out? The next Friday Spirit Day is Friday, Feb. 10, to the theme Red & White.

Below: The H-F Symphonic Band performed at the Illinois Music Educators State Conference, held last weekend in Peoria. Band Director Mrs. Whitlock presided over a special session (The Right Music at the Right Time), and individual Vikings were part of All-State Ensembles: Judah Crowder (Future Music Educator); Cameron Elam-Guthrie (Orchestra); Anly Flores & Georgia Holt (Band); and Kendall Laven, Sullivan Matthys, Jazmin Rhodes & Wesley Schmidt (Chorus).

Congratulations to our Viking staff members and teams who were just awarded a 2023 Those Who Excel Award by the Illinois State Board of Education! They are:

• Emily Carroll — Special Recognition Teacher
• Dr. Lawrence Cook — Meritorious Service Administrator
• Andrew Gaus — Special Recognition Teacher
• Candice Hall — Meritorious Service Educational Support Personnel
• Dr. Aginah Muhammad — Excellence Award Community Volunteer
• Cody Rudnik — Meritorious Service Early Career Educator
• Lauren White — Meritorious Service Student Support Personnel
• H-F Resiliency Project — Meritorious Service Team
• Co-Taught Social Science & Reading — Meritorious Service Team

Those Who Excel awards recognize individuals and teams for their invaluable contributions to their schools and communities. Awards of Excellence, Merit and Recognition are presented annually across multiple categories, including classroom teacher, school administrator, student support personnel and community volunteer. ISBE will celebrate the awardees at a banquet on April 29. For more information on the awards program, please click here. Great work, Vikings!

Congratulations to our student-selected Teachers of the 2nd Quarter! They were announced during the Feb. 3 Institute Day and celebrated by the full H-F staff. They are pictured here, flanked by Superintendent Dr. Scott Wakeley and Principal Dr. Clinton Alexander, left to right: Mr. Engrav (Fine Arts); Ms. Simmons (Special Education); Ms. Odeh (English); Mr. Fasse (Math); Mr. Gould (English); Mr. Brown (English); Mr. Raglione (Special Education); and Mr. Corso (English).

Not pictured: Mr. Pavinato (Science) and Mr. Mulling (English).

Congratulations to the Varsity H-F History Bowl team for its performance at the Chicago Winter Regional at Stevenson H.S. on Jan. 28: H-F finished tied for 3rd Place as a semifinalist in the Bowl and reaffirmed its national qualification status! In individual events, Jack Piros finished tied for 7th Place in the History Bee, and both he and Rodney Branch reaffirmed their national qualification status. In the U.S. History Bee qualification, Jack qualified for Nationals. In the National Political Science Bee qualification, Mickey McGrory qualified for Nationals. Coached by Mr. Sacks, Math teacher, the team plans to compete again in the Chicago State History Bowl Tournament on March 25, as well as at Nationals, which will be held April 27-30 in Arlington, Va. The full team also includes Connor Henderson, Annelise Latham, Luke Debruin & Gregory Mitchell. Go, Vikings!

Congratulations to H-F Instructional Assistant Zenia Boyd on being selected as the IHSA Country Financial Teacher Spotlight recipient last week! Zenia is also our Head Cheer coach; she just led the team to IHSA State this weekend for the eighth time. Click below for the complete IHSA feature:

COUNTRY Financial Teacher Spotlight: Zenia Boyd, Homewood-Flossmoor High School (ihsa.org)

Congratulations to the H-F Speech Team for its 4th Place overall finish at the Forensic Faction of the Stars Tournament, held at Eisenhower H.S. on Jan. 28! Individual awarded students — including two tournament champions! — are:

• Aaron McIntyre — Tournament Champion in Extemporaneous Speaking & 5th Place in Special Occasion Speaking! (pictured above)
• Stella Hoyt — Tournament Champion in Prose Reading!
• Emma Steiner — 4th Place in Impromptu Speaking
• Devin Kenebrew — 6th Place in Humorous Interpretation

The team is competing at IHSA Regionals this weekend, as it makes a run for IHSA State competition.

Congratulations to senior Corey Oswalt-Armenteros, who completed his Eagle Scout Board of Review in January and was named an Eagle Scout with Troop 342! He has served as an Order of the Arrow Troop Representative, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and senior Patrol Leader. His final Eagle Scout service project benefited the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve. To learn more about the Eagle Scout designation, click here.

Through January, H-F Fine Arts Teachers Mrs. Healy and Mrs. Helsel-Wilk had their photography exhibited in a gallery space in the Gypsy Inc. building in downtown Flossmoor. Above, they are pictured at the show's closing last Friday, Jan. 27. Congratulations, artists!

Congratulations to the following senior student-athletes who committed to pursue academics and athletics at colleges and universities next year, during a ceremony held in the Mall Auditorium on Feb. 1! They are:

• D'Angelo Coleman to Kentucky State U. (Volleyball)
• Kamrin Cox to Quincy U. (Football)
• Jesse Ellis to Aurora U. (Football)
• John Gore to Northern Illinois U. (Football)
• Peyton Pedersen to Eastern Illinois U. (Swimming & Diving)
• Jeremy Thomas to Aurora U. (Football)
• Luke Van Voorhees to the U. of San Diego (Football)

Please note: Only home athletic games & playoff games are shown below. For complete athletic schedules, please click here...

7:30-8:15 a.m. — Tutoring @ South G18 (Math), South B23 (Science) & H-F Library (Writing)

3:15-4 p.m. — Tutoring @ H-F Library (Math, Physics & Writing)

7-9 p.m.

• Online Science Tutoring @ Google Classroom
• Online Math Tutoring @ Google Meet

7:30-8:15 a.m. — Tutoring @ South G18 (Math), South B23 (Science) & H-F Library (Writing)

7:30 a.m. — D233 Board of Education Finance Committee Meeting @ Viking Room

3:15-4 p.m. — Tutoring @ H-F Library (Math, Physics & Writing), @ North 223 (Spanish) & North 205 (Chinese)

4:30 p.m. — Girls' Basketball (FA & FB) vs. Lockport @ North Gym

5 p.m. — Senior Night! Boys' Basketball (S & V) vs. Sandburg @ South Gym

7-9 p.m.

• Online Science Tutoring @ Google Classroom
• Online Math Tutoring @ Google Meet

1:55 p.m. — Wellness Wednesday: Art Expression with Mrs. Cowan, Social Worker @ South G5 (click here to sign up)

3:15-4 p.m. — Tutoring @ H-F Library (English, Math, Biology & Writing) & North 226 (French)

6-9:30 p.m. — Solo/Ensemble Vocal Concerts @ South Music Wing

7-9 p.m.

• Online Science Tutoring @ Google Classroom
• Online Math Tutoring @ Google Meet

7:30-8:15 a.m. — Tutoring @ South G18 (Math), South B23 (Science) & H-F Library (Writing)

3:15-4 p.m. — Tutoring @ H-F Library (Math, Chemistry & Writing)

4:30 p.m. — Boys' Basketball (FA & FB) vs. L-W East @ North Gym

7-9 p.m.

• Online Science Tutoring @ Google Classroom
• Online Math Tutoring @ Google Meet

Spirit Friday: Red & White Day!

7:30-8:15 a.m. — Tutoring @ South G18 (Math), South B23 (Science) & H-F Library (Writing)

3:15-4 p.m. — Tutoring @ H-F Library (Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Writing)

5 p.m. — Girls' Track & Field Quad Meet @ Fieldhouse

10 a.m. — Boys' Track & Field Quad Tournament @ Fieldhouse

10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Tutoring @ H-F Library (Enter Door 12)

7-9 p.m.

• Online Science Tutoring @ Google Classroom
• Online Math Tutoring @ Google Meet

4:30 p.m. — Boys' Basketball (FA & FB) vs. Lockport @ North Gym

7 p.m. — IHSA Regionals: Girls' Basketball @ South Gym

7:30-8:15 a.m. — Tutoring @ South G18 (Math), South B23 (Science) & H-F Library (Writing)

3:15-4 p.m. — Tutoring @ H-F Library (Math, Physics & Writing), @ North 223 (Spanish) & North 205 (Chinese)

7 p.m. — IHSA Regionals: Girls' Basketball @ South Gym

7-9 p.m.

• Online Science Tutoring @ Google Classroom
• Online Math Tutoring @ Google Meet

1:55 p.m. — Wellness Wednesday: Treat Yo' Self with Mrs. Palermo, School Counselor @ South G5 (click here to sign up)

3:15-4 p.m. — Tutoring @ H-F Library (English, Math, Biology & Writing) & North 226 (French)

5-9:30 p.m. — Solo/Ensemble Band Concerts @ South Building

6 p.m. — Special Education's Online IDHS Presentation on Zoom (click here)

7-9 p.m.

• Online Science Tutoring @ Google Classroom
• Online Math Tutoring @ Google Meet

Last day to purchase Turnabout Dance tickets!

7:30-8:15 a.m. — Tutoring @ South G18 (Math), South B23 (Science) & H-F Library (Writing)

3:15-4 p.m. — Tutoring @ H-F Library (Math, Chemistry & Writing)

3:15-4:15 p.m. — Black History Month Discussion Series: Why Black History Matters @ Viking Room (register here)

6-9:30 p.m. — Solo/Ensemble Strings & Piano Concerts @ South Building

7 p.m. — IHSA Regionals: Girls' Basketball @ South Gym

7-9 p.m.

• Online Science Tutoring @ Google Classroom
• Online Math Tutoring @ Google Meet

7:30-8:15 a.m. — Tutoring @ South G18 (Math), South B23 (Science) & H-F Library (Writing)

3:15-4 p.m. — Tutoring @ H-F Library (Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Writing)

4:30 p.m. — Girls' Track & Field Quad Tournament @ Fieldhouse

Please remember to stay at home if you are not feeling well, especially if you are having COVID-19 symptoms or suspect you have COVID-19. If a student is COVID-19 positive, parents/guardians, please complete the District 233 COVID-19 Reporting Form (click here) for the Nurse's Office.

Click here to read the Jan./Feb. 2023 issue of the Viking Voice, a newsletter for H-F families...

Sportscaster recognizes community’s support for Vikings baseball - HF Chronicle (alumnus)

Wards’ international romance blossomed through postcards - HF Chronicle (alumnus)

Nico Martinez draws Flossmoor landmarks and his own cartoon characters - HF Chronicle (alumnus)

Thomas' Photographic Services is moving across the street - HF Chronicle (alumnus)

COUNTRY Financial Teacher Spotlight: Zenia Boyd, Homewood-Flossmoor High School

National Signing Day 2023 updates: Where Illinois high school football seniors have signed - Scorebook Live

2023 MLB Draft Stock Watch: Outfield Preview

For more information, please email Mrs. White at twhite@hf233.org.