Take Flight ๐ฆ
West Leyden Student Activities
๐ฆ May 18, 2026
๐ Bravo per L'esame! ๐
All students studying Italian at Leyden took the National Italian Exam in April, and the results are now in! Congratulazioni to the following students who earned certificates and medals, and the gold-level students (Yaymari Rosas and Miguel Sandoval), whose scores were in the top 1% nationally, won monetary prizes:
Livello 1:
Bronzo (Bronze) Emily Gandar, Emiliano Recendiz, Brian Sari
Argento (Silver): Emily Martinez
Oro (Gold): Yaymari Rosas, Miguel Sandoval
Livello 2:
Bronzo (Bronze): Paola Meza (not pictured), Camila Sanmartin
๐ฎ eSports Success at State - 5/2 ๐ฎ
Leyden's Mario Kart team (2nd in sectionals) and Rocket League team (sectional champs) both qualified for the state tournament on May 2nd at Evergreen Park High School. Congrats to the Rocket League team, who took 3rd place!
- Rocket League team: Ian Giron, Isaac Merino, and Yurem Chavez
- Mario Kart team: Nathan Lechman, Eian Roman, Dan Jacob Uy, and Anthony Salgado
๐ต Peer Mediators Went Ape! - 5/7 ๐ต
On Thursday, May 7th, the Peer Mediators went to the Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park in Western Springs, IL. They were teambuilding, as well as building their confidence. If you want more information about Peer Mediators, contact Ms. Martha Polley, at mpolley@leyden212.org.
๐Gardening Club's Plant & Craft Sale - 5/7 & 5/8 ๐ชด
๐ณ Ecology Club Out in the Community - 5/9 ๐ณ
On Saturday, May 9th, members of Ecology Club worked with the Village of Franklin Park and Openlands (a non-profit dedicated to protecting our natural habitats and wildlife) to plant 20 trees in front of houses and near North Elementary School. After knocking on doors in the neighborhood to find willing participants, the club members worked with Ramona Michael, chair of the Tree Commission in Franklin Park, and Openlands, to green up our local community.
Are you 'green with envy' that you missed out on this wonderful opportunity? Reach out to Dr. Todd Veltman at tveltman@leyden212.org to get involved with Ecology Club.
๐ Prizewrite Now Published! ๐จ
Leyden's literary and art magazine, Prizewrite, has been published for the 2025-2026 school year. Dozens of students submitted their literary and art work to be included in the magazine. Click here or on the image below to admire all of your classmates' creativity!
๐ช Be a "Smart Cookie" for Finals! - 5/20 ๐ช
Stop by the Student Activities Office during your lunch period on Wednesday, May 20th, to pick up a FREE package of cookies (while Supplies last)! Make sure you have your Leyden ID (physical or Minga) to receive your cookies. To be a "smart cookie" for finals, make sure to read the tips below!
๐ Frosh - Junior Summatives Schedule - 5/20-5/22 ๐
โ๐ป Write a Winning Story and Win a Trip to Spain - 6/15 โ๐ป
Raรญces is a national essay contest that invites high school students to uncover and share stories of Hispanic presence, culture, and leadership in their own communities. Timed to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the contest highlights centuries of Hispanic contributions that are often overlooked. Students explore local places, traditions, and leaders while developing authentic writing skills rooted in cultural inquiry. Winners and finalists receive national recognition, with top honors including an educational trip to Spain and a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC. Submissions are due June 15th. Click here or the image above for contest rules.