Service is an important part of what it means to be a Latin Learner.

Recognition

This year, Latin School of Chicago received the Starlight Partner Award. Presented by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE), this award honors schools and community organizations that promote family learning and parent leadership.

At this event, the following individuals were also honored for their commitment to service: Chessie P., (9th) Peter P. (9th) and their families, for starting the nonprofit Teens for Migrants and Tim Cronister, Director of Student life, for his dedication, care and commitment  that "truly made a difference.” 

We are proud to have a community that is committed to service, and who aspire to be changemakers.

Lower School

A service mindset begins in our Lower School, where our youngest students learn through buddy activities alongside older role models. They are also encouraged to participate in initiatives with their peers, such as the care kit project created by the fourth grade Changemakers Club. The project involved all students in JK through fourth grade creating items to include in handmade, custom bags. This club was very active this year, compiling snack bags for the homeless, making dog toys for PAWS, as well as hosting a beverage stand at the Spring Field Frenzy in support of the Anti-Cruelty Society.

Middle School

As students move into the Middle School, their awareness of the world around them grows, and they take a more active role in serving others. 

Through Helping Hands, the Middle School service club, students made a significant impact during the school year. Homerooms also completed a variety of projects, ranging from creating cards for retirement home residents to assembling candy care packages for asylum-seeking children. Service also became a regular part of the athletics program, with 100% of spring sports teams participating in their own projects.

The Middle School Fall Day of Service provided opportunities for students to engage more deeply with community partners through off-campus experiences. Eighth- and sixth-grade students visited Bernie's Books, seventh-grade students volunteered at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and fifth-grade students helped the Chicago Park District with mulching projects. This immersive experience continued during the Spring Day of Service, when students volunteered at retirement homes and organizations including Cradles to Crayons, Feed My Starving Children and Misericordia.

Upper School

In the Upper School, service becomes second nature as students choose where they want to help or launch their own initiatives and clubs. Grade-level, on-campus projects took place regularly throughout the year, while advisories, affinity groups and athletic teams also organized their own initiatives. The Student Service Learning Board oversaw numerous service drives, collecting books, clothing, canned goods and sports equipment. The group also helped organize a variety of other on- and off-campus service events. Collectively, Upper School students logged 5,760 hours of service during the 2025-26 school year.

The year's largest off-campus service projects took place during the MLK Commemoration Day and Project Week. One of the highlights of Project Week was a student trip to Los Angeles, where participants worked alongside Habitat for Humanity on rebuilding efforts.

In the spring, there was a Service Fair that provided the following community partners with the opportunity to visit campus and share more about their missions and ways to get involved:

Student Initiatives

Several of our students have started their own nonprofits and spearheaded service initiatives.

• Carrying Hope, founded by Naomi H. and Myles A. to support people undergoing chemotherapy, assembled 3,500 tote bags filled with comfort items during one of its events.
• Teens for Migrants, founded and supported by Latin students and families, continued to serve the Pilsen community by hosting celebrations for Christmas, Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day and partnering on book and clothing drives for those in need.
• Knit Knot Knoop, founded by Latin student Kate E., earned the Daily Point of Light Award for educating young people about homelessness through knitting.

Other imaginative, student-driven projects included reading to young children at an under-resourced library; assisting with eye exams at clinics; rescuing injured animals on local beaches; cleaning and decorating homes for veterans; shopping with older adults; participating in Chicago River cleanups; tutoring asylum-seeking students; and teaching at a dance studio.

We are proud of the many ways our students embrace service and demonstrate what it means to be engaged, compassionate members of a broader community.

Learn more about the Lower School Changemakers Club care kit project
Watch the NBC video clip about the Carrying Hope initiative
Read about Latin's initiatives addressing food insecurity

It's been another full year of exceptional accomplishments and remarkable milestones.

Below are some of the highlights that made the year so successful, and illustrate why Latin is such a special place. 

Academics

• Upper School student Scarlet G. was one of five students selected for honors for the final oral presentation of the research she conducted this summer at the Research Science Institute at MIT.
  
  Scarlet was named a 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Scholar, which placed her among the top 300 STEM students in the United States.
  
  In addition, Scarlet and her classmates Teddy L. and Rohin S.  presented at the MIT AI & Education Summit. Their paper, “Policy Roadmap for AI's Equitable Future in Chicago Schools,” provided a valuable contribution to the dialogue between students, educators and world experts.
   
• Upper School student Theodore T. was named a Coca-Cola Scholarship regional finalist in recognition of his academic excellence, leadership and service. He was one of only 250 students out of 107,000 initial applicants to earn this honor in the achievement-based scholarship program.
  
  Theodore was also selected to represent Illinois and the United States at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which gives high school students from 81 countries, regions and territories the opportunity to showcase their independent research.
   
• Upper School student Edie P. won the George Javaras Award for Exemplary Scholarship in the National History Day Contest. This award recognizes projects that demonstrate outstanding research, strong arguments and creative use of sources.
   
• Upper School student Theo G. was recognized by the World Food Prize Foundation’s Illinois Youth Institute. He was named a Borlaug Scholar in recognition of his research paper and presentation on potential solutions to food insecurity in Somalia.
   
• Upper School student Olivia L. collaborated on a scientific article, “Artificial Intelligence as a Screening Tool for Glaucoma: A Review,” that was published in the academic journal OxJournal.
   
• There were numerous math wins for our Middle School mathematicians in the following competitions: Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools (MOEMS), American Mathematics Competition 8 (AMC 8), Math League 6 and MathCON.

• Lower School student Luke M. was one of only five fourth graders in the country to earn a perfect cumulative score of 60 in this year’s WordMasters Challenge.

• We welcomed 27 inductees into Latin's school chapter of the national Cum Laude Society. The Cum Laude Society recognizes top academic achievers in high school in the United States and across the globe.

Athletics

• Latin’s varsity teams and student-athletes won the following titles during the 2025-26 school year:
  • Independent School League (ISL) championship - boys basketball; Francesca M., Nico R. and William W. for cross country; field hockey; boys golf as a team and Jack Z. individually; girls soccer; Greta T. in the 100 fly for girls swimming; girls tennis as a team and individually in singles and doubles; girls volleyball; baseball; boys tennis as a team and individually in doubles; girls and boys track & field as a team and many individuals
  • Regional championship - girls basketball (fifth straight); boys baseball (back-to-back years); Francesca M. and Nico R. for cross country; girls soccer (third consecutive); Mia R. in the 10&U 50 Backstroke and Millie B. in the 11-12 50 Breaststroke in swimming; girls volleyball; boys volleyball (third consecutive)
  • Sectional championship - girls tennis as a team and individually in singles and doubles; boys tennis as a team and individually in singles and doubles
  • State Runner-Up - boys tennis as a team and Kiyan A. individually for singles
     
• Student-athletes and coaches earned the following individual honors during the 2025-26 school year: 
  • Seven All-State selections 
  • One IADA All-State First Team selection and one IADA All-State Honorable Mention selection
  • 11 ISL Player/Athlete of the Year selections
  • Five ISL Coaching Staff of the Year selections
  • More than 50 All-Conference and All-Sectional selections across varsity programs
     
• The following teams, student-athletes and coaches achieved milestones during the 2025-26 school year:
  • Upper School student Nico R. broke the school record for cross country at the state meet.
  • Upper School student Lauren R. became Latin’s all-time leading goal scorer in soccer.
  • Upper School student Francesca M. earned her fourth consecutive All-State honor in cross country/track & field.
  • Upper School students Amelia M. and Maya D. surpassed 100 career goals in girls lacrosse.
  • The boys track and field team set new school records in the 110-meter hurdles (Ehren C.) and the 4x400-meter relay (Ehren C., Robert D., David P., and Theo V.)
  • Girls basketball coach Max Rouse was named a 2026 inductee into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Hall of Fame.
     
• Latin’s Athletic program had several additional highlights during the 2025-26 school year:
  • A record nine student-athletes from the Middle School track and field team qualified for the IESA State Championship, including Latin's first pole vaulter. 
  • Middle School cross country sent two student-athletes to the IESA State Championship.
  • Nine student-athletes signed letters of intent to play collegiate athletics. 
  • The Chicago Latin Swim Club (CLSC) performed well at the Illinois regional championship meet, with two first place and seven other top five finishes in individual events. In addition, three of the student-athletes qualified for the state tournament in eight events. 
  • In the LMAIS 4th Annual "Cooler by the Lake" Tournament for middle school basketball, the eighth grade boys team won the championship for the second straight year, while the eighth grade girls team finished as runners-up, marking the program's first-ever placement in the tournament.
     
• The following student-athletes earned accolades and enjoyed success in state, national and international competitions during the 2025-26 school year:
  • Upper School student Bo M. helped lead the U.S. Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Team to a gold medal in the team competition at the Junior Pan American Games. He  also earned an individual silver medal on vault with a score of 13.800.
  • Upper School student Lexi F.’s performance in goal helped the U-17 Women’s National Team win the championship in the 2026 MIMA Cup, which is an elite international women’s under-17 soccer tournament held annually in Spain.
  • Upper School student Darina K. was invited to compete in Far West Skiing’s Western U.S. High School Championships in March. This event draws the top high school giant slalom and slalom racers from across the western half of the United States to compete for their state.
  • Middle School student Ellery E. qualified for 11 individual events and several team relays at the Illinois State Swim Championships.

Performing and Visual Arts

• Nine Middle and Upper School performing arts students were selected for the prestigious ILMEA District I ensembles, including the Junior Band, Junior Chorus, Senior Chorus, and 9-10 Honor Chorus.
   
• Upper School student Edie P. won the 2025 Fox Valley Concerto Competition. She was also named Alternate Winner in the Senior Piano Division of the MTNA State Competition, an accomplishment that recognized her as one of the top two student pianists in Illinois.

• Upper School student Gabriel R. was selected as one of the four finalists of the 2026 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artist Competition.
   
• Upper School student Lyla G. was recognized by Playbill, the American monthly magazine for theatergoers. Her artwork for Latin’s 2022-23 production of "The Crucible" was featured as one of the “10 Creative Crucible PLAYBILLDER Covers” on Playbill’s official website.

• Ten Latin students were recognized by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers through its Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The entries they submitted for the regional competition earned a total of 20 awards, including four Gold Keys, seven Silver Keys and nine Honorable Mentions. 

Service

• Upper School students logged 5,760 hours during the 2025-26 school year. 

• Upper School student Kate E. earned the Daily Point of Light Award for the work she does through Knit Knot Knoop, an organization she founded that aims to educate young people about the homelessness epidemic in a creative way through knitting.
   
• Latin received the Starlight Partner Award from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE), which honors schools and community organizations that promote family learning and parent leadership. The School received the award in recognition of its "invaluable contributions" to the Starlight Parent University community. Also honored for their commitment to service were Latin students Chessie P., Peter P. and their families, as well as Tim Cronister, Director of Student Life.

Clubs and Activities

• The Middle School Science Olympiad team took first place in their division at the state competition. They earned a total of 19 medals, eight of which were for first place. 
   
• Latin's Model United Nations Club earned several team accolades this year, including conference honors such as Best Large Delegation, Outstanding Large Delegation and Outstanding Medium Delegation. Students also received numerous individual awards in categories that included Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate and Best Position Paper.
   
• Upper School students earned seven awards in the categories of Best Delegate and Honorable Mention at the Harvard Model Congress.

• Latin’s Scholastic Bowl team qualified for the state tournament following an undefeated performance at sectionals that also earned Upper School student Scarlet G. a first-team All-Sectional Team selection. 
   
• The Forum (Latin's student newspaper) editorial staff were recognized at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Nashville. They took fifth place for Best of Show in the Website category, which is the highest award the staff has ever won at the national level. They also earned individual awards for Editorial Writing, Sports Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Commentary Writing, and News Editing/Headline Writing/Current Events.
  
  The publication continued its success at the 2026 Scholastic Press Association of Chicago (SPAC) Awards, earning 13 honors, including the Chicago High School Journalist of the Year award presented to Upper School student Scarlet G.
   
• Sloane S. earned third place in the Sophomore of the Year category at the 2026 Private School Journalism Association Contest, held alongside the Spring National Journalism Convention.
   
• Latin won 3rd place at the 165th Kumbaya Chess Tournament, a great accomplishment by Aveen C. and Violetta C. 

Faculty and Staff

• Upper School English Teacher Brandon Woods received the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator Award, which recognizes individuals who make a significant impact on the education and lives of their students.

• Erica Washburn, Assistant Director of Academic Affairs, was named one of the inaugural MehtaCognition Impact Fund Scholars through the Klingenstein Center, Teachers College, Columbia. 
   
• Cat Curry, Director of Latin 360 and Summer@Latin, received the National Service Award from American Camp Association. 

• Upper School Athletic Director Katie Johnson shared her perspectives on the importance of parent collaboration in an article published by High School Today magazine. 
   
• Latin hosted the "LMAIS Chicagoland Equity Summit," working with other area schools to provide a two-day program for educators from across the city.

Alumni

• Ike Barinholtz ’95 and his fellow cast and crew members from "The Studio" made history at the 77th Emmy Awards with a record-breaking 13 wins, the most ever for a comedy series in a single season.
   
• Sydney Thomas '14 earned a spot on the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 in Marketing & Advertising list for her work as the Director of Brand Marketing at BÉIS Travel. 
   
• Katherine Davis-Gibbon '88 won in the Children's Motivational Category of the NYC Big Book Award 2025.
   
• Reese Benford ’24 and her Johns Hopkins Blue Jays women's lacrosse teammates advanced to the NCAA Final Four this season.

As the 2026-27 school year comes to a close, we extend our sincere gratitude to the faculty and staff members who will be departing Latin. Their dedication, talent and commitment to our students and community have made a lasting impact, and we wish them all the best in their next adventures.

Upper School
Melissa Archey, Upper School Math Teacher
Alex Zotos, Assistant Director of College Counseling

Middle School
Jamie Crockett, Middle School Long-Term Substitute 
Garrett Hedman, Middle School Computer Science Teacher
Dan Levy, Middle School Long-Term Substitute 
Valerie MacPhee-Jeffries, Middle School Science Teacher

Lower School
Lara Frohlich (retiree), Lower School Learning Resource Teacher
Campbell Meyers, Senior Kindergarten Lead Teacher 
Jordan Schlechter, 2nd Grade Lead Teacher

LS Assistant Teachers:

Grace Beyerl
Stephanie Frankel
Nora Grubb
Elizabeth Jaskot
Samantha Malecki
Hunter Riggan
Kendall Schneider
Lyla Simonds
Sydney Smith
Berk Tanyel
Valentina Tychalski
Hope Wiley

Staff
Thomas Hagerman, Head of School
Ash Hansberry, Director of Academic Affairs
Gonzalo Hernandez (retiree), Custodian
Javier Hernandez, Custodian
Roman Torres, Traffic and Security Coordinator