DECEMBER 2025                                                                                     THE EPCHS MONTHLY

Dear EPCHS Families: 

Before we head into the final month of 2025, we'd like to take a look back at what was a November to remember at Evergreen Park Community High School. 

In November, we hosted many American heroes when we honored our military veterans with our annual Veterans Day breakfast, showcased our school's many offerings at our annual Open House and watched as our theater students delivered an amazing performance of "Little Shop of Horrors." We saw a number of successes in athletics, including a new school record reached by Nicole Mitchell in the girls cross country 3-mile run. 

Now that we have reached December, we would like to stress the importance of finishing the first term of the school year as strong as possible and keeping that positive momentum heading into 2026. 

Sincerely, 

Thomas O'Malley, Superintendent 

Principal Matt Dugan is pleased to announce that 23 students from the graduating class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this important recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year, nearly 16,700 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958.  

The following students were named 2025-26 Illinois State Scholars: Elizabeth Adjayi, Jade Alfano, Zachary Barnes, Juliana Bosch, Louise Brady, Fiona Buchanan, Adrian Buenrostro, Maya Cisneros, Giada Gainer, Emilio Gonzalez, Neve Hayes, Megan Klimowski, Grace Kole, Grace Koziczkowski, Mackenzie Lantz, Therese Lee, Zion McCadd, Patrick Moroney, Emma Neylon, Annie Olson, Elliott Rayson, Marielle Ribar, and Samantha Sliter.

These students, along with their parents/guardians will be invited to a recognition breakfast on Wednesday, December 17 where the students will receive an embroidered sweatshirt and congratulations from the principal, Matt Dugan and superintendent, Tom O’Malley.

Weather predictions indicating several inches of snow couldn't put a damper on EPCHS' Veterans Day breakfast, which recognizes all United States military veterans living in Evergreen Park and veteran relatives of current EPCHS students. 

More than a dozen veterans were on hand in the cafeteria that snowy morning and were interviewed by EPCHS National Honor Society students while enjoying a delicious breakfast. Our NHS students recognized the veterans they interviewed in speeches summarizing their service to our country. 

More coverage in the Southwest Suburban Reporter 

EPCHS senior student Michael Visser tells the crowd at the Veterans Day breakfast about the service of his grandfather, U.S. Army veteran John Janson. 

Students in Mrs. Kueltzo's Fit For Life class made a trip to Club Pilates in Evergreen Park this past month to experience reform Pilates. It was a fun experience to learn about reform Pilates and participate in a workout that can be beneficial to everyone.

Scenes from the 2025 EPCHS Open House

The EPCHS Fine Arts department put on a terrific performance of "Little Shop of Horrors" on November 6 and 7. Both nights were well attended, including EPCHS students who used the 5-star points they earned to purchase tickets. 

Opening Night of the show also included many senior citizens living in Evergreen Park in attendance. The seniors were treated to a dinner before the show that night that was baked by our Culinary Club students. National Honor Society members were the servers for the dinner. 

Wellness Week was held in mid-November at EPCHS, with daily activities planned including a positivity chain, spirit days, IDEA activities such as yoga and board games, donuts and coffee on a Friday morning and an assembly presented by guest speaker Zion Givens. 

Important Dates at EPCHS in December