Arlene Lolley, American Legion Auxiliary president, unit 867, Mundelein, presents certificates to Alexia Pacheco, Jessica Caballero, Imelda Gomez, Nataly Cisneros and Diya Patel.
A pair of MHS students were winners at the American Legion Auxiliary’s annual Americanism Essay Contest. MHS junior Diya Patel earned first place at the District Level Class III while MHS freshman Alexia Pacheco won second place in Class II.
This year's Americanism essay was in response to the prompt, "Who Are Our Modern Day Patriots?" Diya won $50 for her essay which focused on comedian Jon Stewart's selfless activism and support for veterans. Alexia won $30 for her essay which explained how her Mexican grandmother's commitment to tradition and culture taught Alexia about pride, love, courage and respect for America.
In addition, five MHS students were named to represent MHS at this summer’s American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State and American Legion Boys State. Girls State representatives are Nataly Cisneros, Imelda Gomez and Diya Patel. Boys State representatives are Animesh Bijawat and Adrian Rosales. The nearly 90-year-old program conducts a mock government in which student representatives are elected to offices held by local, city, and state officials and is designed for rising seniors, inviting participation from hundreds of students across the state and culminates in a national meeting in Washington, D.C. run by two student “senators” from each state in the union.
American Legion Oratorical contest participants, seniors Alicia Brak and Jessica Caballero both qualified for state competition and earned monetary awards for their successful participation.
Through the Auxiliary, Arlene Lolley, American Legion Auxiliary president, unit 867, Mundelein, yearly gifts MHS with school supplies. Lolley sponsors MHS students for the annual Americanism essay contest, American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, and the American Legion Department of Illinois High School Oratorical Scholarship Program. Financial support for Girls State comes from Mundelein Community Bank and William W. Meyer & Sons Inc.
Commander Wallace Frasier, American Legion President, Post 867, Mundelein, annually sponsors and financially supports two MHS junior boys to attend American Legion Boys State.