Four Bloom Students Honored at Board Meeting

Four outstanding Bloom High School students were honored at the District 206 School Board meeting Monday. Each possessed a unique combination of hard work, dedication, and respect of their peers.

Amy Edwards maintains a 4.99 Grade Point Average with a class rank of four out of more than three hundred. She's been in band and the theater all four years of high school. She's also competed in scholastic bowl her last year and currently tutors junior high school students at Columbia Central.

"Amy is a student that makes teachers realize why they are teachers," Bloom teacher Kathy Hocher said.

Edwards remarked upon accepting her award, "I don't know what to say but I'd like to thank my teachers and parents."

Edwards has been accepted to the University of Michigan and is still waiting to hear back from the University of Chicago. Either way, she'll be majoring in theoretical and astrophysics, putting her on track for the holy grail of intellectual professions, a rocket scientist.

Stephanie Gerstetter maintains a perfect 5.0 grade point average, ranking her on top of her class. Gerstetter was a volleyball player her freshman and sophomore season and a member of the National Honors Society. She's also editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. She'll be attending the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign in the fall of 2011, majoring in English.

Upon accepting the award, Gerstetter initially admitted, "I'm really nervous right now," but continued, "I'd like to thank my mom because she's always been there for me."

Monica Chavolla maintains a 4.617 grade point average and is ranked fourth in her class of more than three hundred. Chavolla is undecided on college but Marquette University leads the impressive list of schools that have accepted her.

Chavolla, upon receiving her award, said, "I'd like to thank you for this recognition, and I'd like to thank my parents for their support."

Adrian Andrade maintains a 4.9 grade point average ranking him third in his class of more than three hundred. He's also a member of the National Honors Society and Math League while volunteering for the Special Olympics as well.

Andrede is a gifted artist who's work is currently on display in the administrative building. He'll be attending Prairie State College where he'll continue to study art.

His French teacher Ms. Tortorella said of Andrade, "He's an absolute pleasure to have in French Honors."

"I'm honored to be here and thanks to anyone who helped make this happen," Andrade remarked.

"I'm honored to be your superintendent. You have put me on a pedestal," said an impressed Glen Giannetti. Speaking specifically of Gerstetter's perfect grade point average, Gianetti said, "You can't foul up one time."

"We get chastised for so many lousy things," added Gianetti, who has received criticism for sub-par graduation rates in the past. The superintendent seemed to see the four students as part of a solution, concluding, "There's a lot of garbage, and you kids decided not to go with the garbage."