MCHS The Nook 111

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) South Campus Assistant Principal, Kevin Murphy, talks about his career path to MCHS. Mr. Murphy discusses his path to becoming the Assistant Principal for MCHS South Campus and his love for history, specifically the Civil War. Listen as Mr. Murphy shares his passion for travel, his time coaching high school basketball, the years he spent as a Dean, and the goals he has for the upcoming years.

Listen in as members of the MCHS Allies in Diversity Club share the goals and future of the club. Listen as Club Members Maya McGrew, Slater, and Club Sponsor Valerie Tijerina discuss how the Allies in Diversity Club got started. Hear why the club is important to them, what other activities and hobbies they do for fun outside of school, and where they see the world and themselves in the next 5 years.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) Career and Technical Education Department Chair, Jon Calder, talks about his career path to MCHS. Mr. Calder discusses the years he spent opening restaurants and the long hours it entailed. Listen as Mr. Calder shares all the wonderful opportunities the CTE Department has for our students, and how he may be called a modern-day Santa Clause.

Listen in as Erika Walker, CEO of The Walker Thomas Group, discusses the various meanings of Equity and Equality, and Diversity and Inclusion. Listen as Ms. Walker shares what is the most challenging aspect of working with a high school, hear what Ms. Walker is most excited about regarding the MCHS Equity and Diversity Committee, and how her family thinks singing might not be in her future.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) Activities Director, Hillary Holden, talks about keeping students involved and engaged during the COVID-19 Pandemic through various activities. Listen as Ms. Holden shares information about the unique clubs MCHS has and how to start one, hear what Ms. Holden is most proud of during her time at MCHS, and how selling fireworks paid for her travel throughout the United States.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) Kyle Adelmann, Head Marching Band Director, and Gina Wych, MCHS Head Co-Curricular Band Director, talk about the emotional side of playing music. Listen as they share how old they were when the music bug bit them, hear their excitement and passion when discussing the MCHS music program, the goal of being a top band in the state, and why the grass is always greener when chickens are involved.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) students, Alaina Frazier and Morgan Moreno, share the love, and importance, of activities, clubs, and sports they’ve been involved with during their time at Minooka Community High School, what advice they would tell themselves as incoming freshmen, the drive it takes to start a Non-Profit organization called Gifting For Thrifting, and why Hollywood might be calling someday.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) Building Principal, Bryan Zwemke, shares his career path to becoming the Building Principal of Minooka Community High School, what Principal Zwemke would say to first year teacher Bryan Zwemke, how technology plays an important role in schools today, and why someone would want him to sign their baseball card.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) Head Coach for the Girls Varsity Basketball Team and Department Chair for World Language, Music, and Art – Jeff Easthon, shares his career path to becoming the Head Coach for the Girls Varsity Basketball team, his early years as a Spanish teacher before becoming the Department Chair, his love of all things Cleveland, and why his favorite green shorts are so important.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) Head Coach for the Varsity Football Team – John Belskis, shares his career path to becoming the Head Coach, his playing days as a collegiate 2-sport athlete, the importance of winning the Homecoming football game, and who his weight-lifting partner was during his time with the Chicago Bears.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) PE Teacher and Head Coach for the Girls Volleyball team – Carrie Prosek, shares her career path to becoming the Head Coach for the Girls Volleyball team, what she learned from her collegiate coaches and how she implements those lessons today. Ms Prosek talks about how teaching PE and coaching sports runs deep throughout her family, how she played against Minooka during her high school days, and what career she really wants once she retires.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) Assistant Principal of South Campus, Jamie Soliman, shares her career path to becoming assistant principal, her love of math and the joy of teaching it, and fun family vacations. Mrs. Soliman talks about her time living in another country and how that made an impact on her approach to teaching, how she has grown as a leader this past year, and how an apple might not stay on her head for long.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) Science Department Chair, Donna Engel, shares her smile and happiness of becoming a first-time grandmother, how she cherishes the opportunity of playing a part in the ripple affect of so many students, and her mission trips to Africa. Mrs. Engel talks about why graduation day is so important to her, why a rainbow led the way to her choosing a college, and shares the reasons of becoming devoted to chemistry.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) Head Coach of Boys Track and Field, Nick Lundin, and Head Coach of Girls Track and Field, Kevin Gummerson, share their passion and knowledge for the sport of Track and Field. The coaches’ talk about how the program has grown from when they first arrived, preview the Boys Sectional Meet and the Girls State Meet, and discuss why they think Illinois is such a strong state for running. The Boys Sectional meet will be held at Bloom High School on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. The Girls State Finals Meet will be held at Eastern Illinois University on Friday & Saturday, May 17 & 18, 2019.

Listen in as Minooka Community High School (MCHS) English Department Chair, Sean Hackney, shares the story of how he chose English over Business as his major in college, and how the book The Catcher in the Rye played a big part in that decision. Mr. Hackney talks about the relationships he builds with the students, how they become part of his growing Minooka family, and how hard it is to say goodbye to graduating seniors. Listen as Mr. Hackney provides insight to his journey to MCHS, and the joy he gets from the students becoming productive citizens of the community and beyond.

Listen in as Joe Pacetti shares his thoughts on the Student Services team and the passion they bring to school, and the students, everyday. Mr. Pacetti talks about what makes the Student Services program at Minooka Community High School unique for the students, the partnership MCHS has with Alyssa's Mission, and the Rhythm Of Our Youth program with Morris Community Hospital. 

Listen in as Dr. Grzetich shares her passion for curriculum and instruction for the students at Minooka Community High School. Dr. Grzetich talks about what makes MCHS unique for our students and how proud she is of the teachers that surround them. Dr. Grzetich also speaks on the importance of Dual Credit, Illinois State Report Card information, and how it all started for her in the classroom as an English teacher.