The Maine Township High School District 207 Board of Education honored three students in the area of extracurricular activities naming them “207’s Best” at a recent meeting. The students honored were Maeve Przekota (right) from Maine South, Kamila Pasnicki (left) from Maine West and David Rozenbergas (center) from Maine East.
The following information was written about each honoree as a part of the nomination by their school principal: Dr. Antwan Babakhani at Maine South, Dr. Eileen McMahon at Maine West and Dr. Melissa A. Pikul at Maine East.
KAMILA PASNICKI, MAINE WEST
The thing to know about Kamila Pasnicki is this: even when she’s finished, she isn’t finished. She will always keep her mind moving, keep on learning, keep on thinking. She sees this as essential not just to her future, but to our collective future as a democracy. She feels pulled to the process of research, of questioning what feels like the truth, of seeking out a good reason to change her mind. She talks about the world with her family, with her fellow members of the Current Events Club, and sometimes with friends when she sees how events around the world affect the everyday lives of people she knows. She pays attention to how teachers lead discussions in unbiased ways, to contextualize things and represent thinking from multiple perspectives. In these conversations, Kamila learns how to stay on the side of the truth, and to recognize that that ground is often shifting and move accordingly.
We talked about her future in public policy or political science, and about her passion for Current Events Club, where she curates materials for briefing packets and relishes a safe space to talk and learn from one another. But the list of activities to which Kamila has devoted herself in her four years at Maine West is pages long. Throughout all of her pursuits, Kamila has been dedicated, generous, and deeply connected to making a contribution to those around her, and to the world. Badminton, Chorus, Mock Trial, Tennis, Multilingual Warriors Club, Polish Club, Link Crew, Key Club, West’s Got Talent, Women’s Empowerment Club, Book Club, Thrift Club, and numerous honors societies – that’s just this year. Fencing and Philosophy Club and Student Ambassadors are also on the list. It’s not clear to me how Kamila has found the time to give so much of herself to all these things, but it is clear to me that she has made a tremendous impact on the community we build together at Maine West.
Her teachers spoke about that impact, not just in her extracurriculars but especially in the classroom.
English teacher Mr. Getz described Kamila as “a ray of sunshine in any classroom. Her bright smile, friendly demeanor, and positive attitude reflect on all around her, helping everyone she knows see the better part of themselves.”
Mr. Fouts shared how he can count on Kamila as a touchstone in Gov class. “You will not find a more thoughtful, passionate person than Kamila. She was always the first student to show up in the morning in AP Government, ready to explore ideas, engage her classmates, and leave class wondering about something meaningful. Kamila’s presence set a tone of earnest interest. I often looked to her reactions in class as signposts for whether a lesson was landing in just the right way. And in that sense, she became something like my de facto teacher’s assistant. I have no doubt that she will thrive far beyond the walls of Maine West.”
Spanish teacher Mr. Galanes searched for the proper adverb to intensify his descriptions of Kamila as a student. “One adverb that would add detail to who Kamila has been in my classes is exceptionally. She is exceptionally hard-working, exceptionally conscientious, exceptionally diligent and dedicated in her learning of the Spanish language and culture. Moreover, Kamila is exceptionally considerate and well- respected among her peers. It has been a privilege to have Kamila in my Spanish 3 and V AP language classes.”
Key Club sponsor Ms. Garrity Rodinos talked about Kamila’s leadership and service. “Kamila is an amazing leader. She was our Key Club Secretary. Each month she was responsible for submitting our monthly report. She submitted her report early each month. Kamila was not afraid to share ideas and always strived to be “the voice” for all students!”
Coach Webber described Kamila’s invaluable presence as a leader on the Badminton team. “She always gives 100% both on the court and off the court. She is very helpful to her teammates and her coaches. Kamila is a very smart player, analyzing her opponents and adjusting when necessary to their strengths and weaknesses. She is also very positive and supportive to her teammates while demonstrating great leadership skills. Even though Kamila is involved in a variety of activities, she is able to balance them. She is very deserving of 207’s Best — Extracurriculars Award.”
Ms. Herrera, who is new to Maine West this year, discovered in Kamila a great leader in the choir program. “Kamila is a truly exceptional musician whose dedication to choir is evident in everything she does. Not only does she give her full effort during rehearsals, but she consistently takes the initiative to grow by taking her music home, and even checking in with me consistently so she knows her part. I can recall so many times during rehearsal where any musical direction I give, she will immediately take a moment to make sure to write it down in her music. As a member of Chamber Choir and Choraliers, her commitment, positive attitude, and passion for music sets an example for her peers!”
Finally, Mr. Hassman, our Link Crew sponsor, spoke of Kamila’s contributions to events when Link Crew leaders act as ambassadors for all families. “There are students who attend school, and then there are students who build school. Kamila is the most committed community-builder I have ever met.
If there is an event that enhances the lives of our MW families—whether it’s a late-night orientation or a mid-summer event, Kamila is always right in the middle of the action, making sure everything runs smoothly.
Kamila’s impact goes deeper than just being present. Kamila lives and breathes a spirit of inclusion. I have watched her, time and time again, move seamlessly between languages, acting as a vital bridge for our community. Kamila has a unique talent for finding families who might feel disconnected by a language barrier and ensuring they aren’t just ‘included,’ but warmly embraced.
Because of Kamila, our school doesn’t just feel like a building; it feels like a home where everyone belongs.”
Congratulations, Kamila, and thank you for all that you have given to Maine West High School.
MAEVE PRZEKOTA, MAINE SOUTH
When I think about Maeve, I keep coming back to this idea that the most impressive part of her story is not just what she’s accomplished, but how she’s accomplished it. And trust me, the accomplishments are extraordinary. When I first saw her résumé, I actually had to pause for a second and think, how am I going to do this justice? We’re talking about a two time conference champion, three time sectional champion, an eleven time state qualifier across six different events, and a six time state medalist. That alone would define a remarkable high school career.
But then you sit down with Maeve, and what stands out immediately is that she does not lead with any of that. When I asked her about her proudest moment, she did not talk about her medals or her times. She talked about her teammates. She talked about the joy of watching others qualify for state, the excitement of seeing people reach goals they didn’t think were possible, and the collective focus of her team. That tells you everything you need to know about who she is.
Maeve is the kind of athlete who understands that greatness is not just built in the big moments, but in the quiet, daily commitment. The doubles practices, the early morning lifts, the extra work no one sees, and the mental toughness it takes to push through both physical fatigue and self doubt. She even reflected on missing a state cut by three hundredths of a second and what she learned from that experience. That level of reflection and growth is what separates good from truly exceptional.
What I admire most is her balance of humility and drive. She is fiercely competitive, yet deeply connected to her team. She pushes herself, yet lifts others. And she does all of this with a level of composure and perspective that is rare.
To help highlight Maeve’s accomplishments and demonstrate why she is deserving of 207’s Best in Extracurricular Athletics award, Coach Don Kura shares, “Maeve is an extremely dedicated and devoted student-athlete who consistently sets a positive example for her peers both in and out of the pool. She is a role model for how all student-athletes should learn to deal with adversity and persevere through challenges, in all areas – academics, athletics, and personally – during the course of their high school careers. Maeve is also a caring and empathetic teammate and classmate that always seeks to identify and bring out the best qualities in everyone around her. Maeve’s contributions to the Maine South Aquatics programs over the past four years have set a standard of excellence for both swimmers and water polo players to aspire to. She will continue her swimming career at Marist University next year, and I have no doubt she will find continued success in all that lies ahead.”
Bill Milano, her counselor, adds, “Maeve approaches every challenge with energy, confidence, and purpose. She demonstrates leadership, determination, and heart in everything she does, from the classroom to the pool deck. Her kindness, competitive drive, and commitment to excellence define her as both a student and teammate, and she consistently uplifts those around her. Maeve challenges herself academically through a rigorous schedule of AP and accelerated courses while maintaining an impressive GPA. She brings curiosity, insight, and discipline to her work, balancing high expectations with thoughtful engagement. As captain of both the Swim and Dive Team and Water Polo Team, Maeve leads with impact, helping guide her team to a sectional championship while earning numerous honors. I’m so happy to hear she was named 207’s Best—she truly deserves this recognition.”
Breanna Dangerfield, a Family & Consumer Science, states, “Maeve is truly an outstanding student who consistently goes above and beyond. She brings a positive attitude to everything she does and is someone both her peers and teachers can rely on. In the classroom, she is engaged, responsible, and always willing to step up, whether that means helping others, taking initiative, or handling challenges with maturity. What stands out most about Maeve is her ability to connect with others. In our preschool setting, she is patient, nurturing, and naturally supportive with the children. She demonstrates strong leadership skills while also showing genuine care and empathy. It is clear that she takes pride in her work and values being a positive role model.”
Maeve, you represent everything we hope for in our student athletes. You have left an indelible mark on Maine South, and I cannot wait to see what you accomplish next.
Congratulations, Maeve!
DAVID ROZENBERGAS, MAINE EAST
It is an honor to recognize Maine East High School senior David Rozenbergas as this month’s recipient of the 207’s Best Award, in recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments in extracurricular activities. David earned unparalleled success in athletics as the most accomplished swimmer in school history.
Over the course of his four-year career, David has distinguished himself as a truly exceptional athlete. He is a four-time Central Suburban League All-Conference selection and a four-time IHSA State qualifier, consistently performing at the highest levels of competition. His recent achievements include top finishes at conference, sectional, and state competitions in multiple events, demonstrating both his versatility and elite competitive ability.
David’s impact on the Maine East swimming program is historic. He has broken an extraordinary total of 19 school records across nearly every major event, beginning in his freshman year and continuing throughout his career. As noted by our Athletic Director, he now holds or has contributed to virtually every significant program record. This accomplishment firmly establishes him as the most decorated swimmer in Maine East history.
Beyond the numbers, David’s coaches speak to his rare talent and character. Head Coach Brian Esposito described coaching David as both “a blessing and an honor,” comparing him to a “Ferrari in the stable” sharing that his role was to just keep David healthy and allow his talent to do the work. “He is a once-in-a-generation athlete whose presence elevated the entire program.”
Equally impressive is David’s commitment, discipline, and balance. He has dedicated years to both high school and club swimming, often training multiple hours daily while maintaining a strong academic record, including a weighted GPA above 4.2. His passion for engineering and hands-on learning further reflects his intellectual curiosity and drive for excellence.
Perhaps most importantly, David exemplifies the values we hope to instill in all Maine East students. He speaks thoughtfully about perseverance, maintaining balance between academics and athletics, and finding joy in the process. His leadership, humility, and dedication have left a lasting impact on his teammates, coaches, and the broader school community.
Mr. Wil Greenwald, Robotics teacher, shared that “David is one of the most enjoyable students to engage with that I have ever had in all of my classes. He is incredibly inquisitive and loves to learn.”
Ms. Angie Edsey, David’s counselor, shared that he is “Respectful, diligent, composed, creative and has excellent problem solving skills. He is a natural leader that values and encourages others’ perspectives. David has also volunteered at the local public library and has tutored elementary school students through our gifted Lyceum program.”
Mr. Ken Adkins, Autos teacher, shared “ I have David in Auto Service first thing in the morning on even days and he always arrives early and tired but with a positive attitude. His swim schedule takes an incredible amount of energy yet he doesn’t use that as an excuse to sacrifice elsewhere. This year, I purchased welding equipment that is very sophisticated and gives students the opportunity to perform very challenging and intricate welds on a variety of metals. David was one of a handful of students that accepted my challenge to come in after school to learn how to use it and assist me in developing a curriculum and project to use next year with my Auto Service class. The learning curve was very challenging, yet David would come right after school during office hours to practice for 25 minutes before literally running off to swim practice. He is now helping his group use these advanced welding techniques to build detailed parts for the High Mileage Vehicle (go kart)…His dedication, attention to detail and competitive nature are infectious and challenge me to find ways to improve as a teacher.”
Next year, David hopes to continue both his academic and athletic journey in college where he intends to study mechanical engineering. We are confident he will continue to excel and represent Maine East with pride.
For his historic athletic achievements, unwavering dedication, and outstanding character, it is with great pride that we honor David Rozenbergas as Maine East’s 207’s Best Award recipient.