Academics/Fine Arts
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At Rockford Lutheran School there is Recognized Leadership and accomplishment wherever you look - students, teachers and staff.
Journalism Team Excels at Sectionals
Rockford Lutheran would like to congratulate the Journalism students for their excellent representation at Sectionals. Haley Jumapao placed 3rd in Newspaper Design while Julianna Lownsdale placed 3rd in Advertising. Julianna also placed 6th in Editorial Cartooning and Sam Holen placed 6th in Photography. Congratulations on a job well done.
Ben Sturm Wins at Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Sectional
Congratulations to Ben Sturm for placing first in physics at the sectional Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) competition held at Northern Illinois University. The University of Illinois conducts the WYSE academic competition for the top students from high schools across the state of Illinois. Ben's first place finish qualifies him for the state competition.
Musical Excellence
Congratulations to all the high school musicians who participated in the IHSA solo/ensemble competition. There were many great performances. The following students received multiple superior ratings: Andrew Kortze (5), Jeremy Lewis (5), Michael Atteberry (3), Joel Gustafson (2), Erin Galen (2), Sari Gessner (2), Nick Prabhakar (2), and Brad Giamalva (2). The following students each earned a superior rating: Abby Knox, Grace Bodey, McKenzie Wallace, Jessica Lynch, Laura Seeber, Allie Donnelli, Matt Helm, Joe Reising, Benaiah Sombke, Martin Wallace, Rachel Krause, Jason Peck, Abby Harris, Evan Kuhl, Bailey Peck, John Ohme and Raquel Rhoads. Jeremy Lewis also received a "Best of Day" Award for his percussion solo. Great job to all the musicians.
Gessner awarded Hutchcroft Environmental Youth Award
Sarah Gessner, a junior at Rockford Lutheran High School, was honored with the Hutchcroft Environmental Youth Award. Sarah designed four costumes using recycled soda cans, bubble wrap, plastic grocery bags and old neckties. Her recycled artwork has also been selected for shows at Judson University, Rock Valley College and the Rockford Art Council's Spring Art Scene.
Art Students Honored At Area Art Shows
Twenty-six Rockford Lutheran students had their art work chosen for the Rock Valley College Juried Exhibition. Dan Allen, Jordan Batchelor, Lizzy Blomgren, Caitlin Brown, Faith Carlson, Victoria Cattage, Taylor Combs, Jacob Countryman, Cahlee Denny, Sari Gessner, Jaclyn Guth, Rob Haase, Andrea Hitzke, Maggie Johnston, Sarah Johnson, Allie Krebs, Sarah Letsinger, Ellee Lewis, Rod McIntosh, Molly Milligan, Paley Nordlof, Will Peck, Chris Poirier, Chris Rakos, Christine Rogers,and Jenna Schneider were the chosen artists. Will Peck, Sari Gessner andRob Haase each won an award for their entries. Congratulations to all!
Artwork by Allie Krebsand Jenna Schneiderwere chosen for the Rockford Art Museum's Juried Young Artist's Show.
Thirty one Rockford Lutheran students had their art work chosen for the Rockford Art Council's Spring Art Scene at the Brewhouse Gallery Exhibit. Jaclyn Guth, Chris Poirier, Max Radakovitz, Sarah Johnson, Ellee Lewis, Cahlee Denny, Andrea Hitzke, Paley Nordlof, Will Peck, Faith Carlson, Jacob Countryman, Caitlin Brown, Tyler Galliano, Sari Gessner, Sarah Letsinger, Jordan Batchelor, Jenna Detlof, Emma Master, Alle Krebs, Rod McIntosh, Dan Allen, Rob Hasse, Maggie Johnston, Christine Rogers, Jenna Schneider, Jeremy Wear, Victoria Cattage, Scott Hainchek, Molly Milligan, Taylor Combs and Chris Rakos.
Judson University Juried Art Exhibition
Congratulations to the following art students for the acceptance of their art work in the Judson University Juried Art Exhibition: Caitlyn Brown - "Blaze"; Molly Mulligan - "What Should I Wear"; Christine Rogers - "Woven Dress"; Sari Gessner - "Coca Cola Dress"; Christopher Rakos- "All Tied Up" and Elizabeth Lewis - "Fairy Dust"
Young Authors Winners
Congratulations to Megan Gustafson and Stephanie Sincox, Rockford Lutheran students, chosen to attend the 2010 Illinois Young Authors Conference to be held at Illinois State University on May15. They will join more than 1200 other Illinois students in writing workshops where the students' manuscripts will be read and discussed as a part of the day's events. The student writers will be able to meet and get advice about writing from published authors. The featured authors will present certificates and an autographed copy of one of their books to the Young Authors at an awards ceremony at the end of the day.
Poem by Megan Gustafson Poem by Stephanie Sincox
Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering
Rockford Lutheran Students successfully competed in the WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering) competition under the direction of coaches Martin and Fisk. Rockford Lutheran students went against students from twelve surrounding schools to bring home the honors for Lutheran. Congratulations to Ben Sturm for placing 1st in Physics and 2nd in math. Quinn Johnson took 2nd in math and Rebecca Kartheiser placed 3rd in English. Team members include: Jonnie Balsman, Grace Bodey, Meghan Braddley, Zach Buchanan, Tyler Dunkel, Paige Galen, Spencer Jacobsen, Quinn Johnson, Morgan Kammer, Rebecca Kartheiser, Andrew Kortze, Scott Reithmeier, Ben Sturm, and Taryn Zimmer. Congratulations on your academic success.
Regional Math Team Competition
The Rockford Lutheran Math team competed in the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) regional competition hosted by Rock Valley College on Saturday, February 20. They equaled their best finish since moving to 2A with a fourth place finish out of the ten teams in their division. Notable standouts were third place finishes by the Algebra I, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus teams. Team members include - Algebra I: Cassidy Brown, Julie Buzzard, Megan Opperman, Bailey Peck,and Jacob Robinson; Geometry: Dan Cain, Elena Ewaldz, Kavanya Gray, Adam Kellen, Andrew Ross, and Martin Willette; Pre-Calculus: Zach Buchanan, Beth Gustafson, Morgan Kammer, Scott Reithmeier, Ben Sturm,and Taryn Zimmer. Megan Opperman tied for 5thplace in Algebra I and earned an automatic bid to the state competition. Rebecca Kartheiser and Ben Sturm placed first in the oral competition on Euler's Circuits and will also compete at state. Other state qualifiers may be named from at-large bids in mid-March. Congratulation Saders!
All-State Orchestra
Congratulations to Kendall Fergusonand Annika Ewaldz for being selected for the Illinois All-State Orchestra. They spent three days in Peoria rehearsing and performing with this honor group. Their selection makes them part of the top 2% of high school musicians in the state of Illinois. This is the eighth year in a row that RLHS has had All-State Musicians chosen. Also selected from Lutheran was Benaiah Sombke as first cello alternate. He will attend if someone else cannot. Great job Kendall, Annika and Benaiah!
Photo Contest Winner
Catlin Brown's photo,"Fallen Beauty", has been selected as the Division and Overall Winner of the 2010 Photo Contest sponsored by the Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District. She will receive her award on Friday, Jan. 29th at the Winnebago County SWCD's Annual Meeting. The photo contest was open to individuals who reside in Winnebago County in Grades 5 through 12 and adult amateurs. (click the image below to enlarge the photos)
Illinois State Scholars
Rockford Lutheran School is pleased to announce the selection of 19 students for the prestigious award of IL State Scholar. Recognized for outstanding academic achievement are: Erich Albrecht, Ryan Arce, Jonathan Balsman, Grace Bodey, Meghan Bradley, Zachary Buchanan, Kelsey Crocker, Jillian Davenport, Sarah Field, Quinn Johnson, Morgan Kammer, Scott Kruger, Jared Micho, Hayley Miller, Faith Stauersboll, Brian Stegmair, Benjamin Sturm, Michelynah Winebrenner, andTaryn Zimmer
This year 1 in 6 seniors were awarded this prestigious award. The award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Illinois state scholars rank in the top 10 percent of the state's high school seniors from 711 high schools in 102 counties.
Math and Science Team
After storming past Walter Luther of Chicago 155-45 in the semifinal round, Rockford Lutheran lost in the finals to Lutheran North of St. Louis 95-70. It has been said, “You can’t lose in the championship unless you get to the championship.” Congrats. (Photo below L-R: Taryn Zimmer, Ben Sturm, Rebecca Kartheiser, Mr. Martin, Scott Kruger, Scott Reithmeier, Carson Jones, andAndrew Kortze)
Downtown Rockford Art
RLS artists worked together to create a mural downtown. Read the story in the Rockford Register Star.
Illinois Music Educators District Honor Band, Choir, and Orchestra
Congratulations to all of the Rockford Lutheran music students who auditioned for the Illinois Music Educators District Honor Band, Choir, and Orchestra. Three more students successfully qualified. They are Hewitt Walsh -- Trumpet -- Jr District Band, Sam Bonzi-- Vocals -- Jr District Choir, and Jeremy Lewis -- Principal Percussion -- Sr District Orchestra.
IMEA District String Auditions
Congratulations to the Rockford Lutheran Orchestra Department on a great job at the 2009 IMEA District String Auditions. Thirteen students qualified for the Jr. & Sr. Orchestra District Festival. Some of the high rankings include: Andrew Willette - Concertmaster, Sean Johnson - Assistant Concertmaster, Jon Hill - Assistant Principal Violin II, Kendall Ferguson- Assistant Principal Viola, and Michelynah Winebrenner - Principal Harp. Also qualifying were: Cassie Carlson & Allie Carlson - Violin, Annika Ewaldz - Viola, Madeleine Felder & Benaiah Sombke - Cello, Connor Corirossi & Daniel Johnson- Bass, and Elena Ewaldz - Harp.
