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Two Cary-Grove Students’ Winning Experiment Launched to International Space Station
Alex LeMoine

On Friday, October 2, two Cary-Grove students and winners of the 2019 Go For Launch! American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Apollo (AIAA) Series, Jake Drews and Daniel Marek, had their own experiment launched into space. The experiment launched at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia and will dock on the International Space Station to test how moth larva make a chrysalis in microgravity.

Drews and Marek, both juniors at Cary-Grove, were a part of the winning team Flammenwerfer Axolotl made up of three other students who competed together at the 2019 Go For Launch! event in Spring Grove, IL, which was conducted by the nonprofit Higher Orbits. The goal of their experiment is to see microgravity’s effects on the cabbage moths, Galleria mellonella.

“The goal is to test how moths adapt their chrysalis-making in zero-gravity. On Earth, they exploit gravity for constructing them but obviously they cannot do that the same way in space,” said Drews.

Students worked with astronauts, scientists, and engineers to develop an original experiment to fit inside the BUG-01 laboratory, a mere 5-inch cube. Both Drews and Marek agreed one of the biggest challenges was crafting an experiment to fit in such a confined space.

“The team and I have been in constant communication with two representatives from Space Tango which have been putting together the environment and cargo for the launch,” said Marek.

After a few delays due to weather, the launch was available for viewing on NASA TV. The students will have a chance to evaluate and interpret the results of their experiment after 30 days of data collection on the ISS. 

“The next step is to celebrate a job well done. We’ve done our part and now get to watch the launch and participate in future years,” said Drews. 

Drews also credits his combined math and science classes at Cary-Grove for encouraging his interest in the STEM field and his involvement in programs such as the Go For Launch! series. He encouraged other students to get involved in as many activities and opportunities as possible. 

Marek also gave his peers valuable advice: “The advice that I would give to other students would be that you should never give up on something that you are passionate about,” he said.

Fall 2020 Food Service for D155 Students
Alex LeMoine

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Illinois State Board of Education recently announced the extension of the free summer food service program for children ages 18 and under. District 155 will now provide free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals for children who live in District 155 boundaries, regardless of free/reduced lunch status. 

Meals will be available for pick-up at Crystal Lake Central High School, located at 45 W. Franklin Ave. in Crystal Lake (field house entrance off Walkup). Food will be provided Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

For everyone’s health and safety, bagged meals will be placed on a table for drivers to grab and go to limit exposure and adhere to social distancing guidelines. If your child has any food allergies, please check the nutritional labels on food items.

Information about continued meal distribution will be sent out via email to families, and it will also be posted to the school district websites and social media. Questions about food distribution can be directed to distmail@d155.org.

Virtually Impossible
Alex LeMoine

Cary-Grove Drama proudly presents: Virtually Impossible, to debut on Friday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m.!

During this unprecedented time in our world, we have seen the theatre community innovating and adapting to provide a new - VIRTUAL - theatre experience. We are so excited to follow their lead with our CG Drama fall play. This year, our students have written and filmed 30 short plays to be which can be watched in any order, following the model of the Neo-Futurists, creators of Infinite Wrench.

So pop some popcorn, get comfortable, and enjoy VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE!

We are excited to announce our partnership with Ludus, a ticketing system designed for educational theatre. The new system will streamline our ticket sales process and offer both live and recorded streaming options for our performances. Our new streaming venue is carygrove.anywhereseat.com. 

AnywhereSeat allows you to purchase digital access to Cary-Grove High School events and attend virtually anywhere in the world (in your living room, on a plane, on the beach, etc.).

When you purchase your spot, you’ll reserve your virtual seat by receiving a special Ticket Code. To unlock, you’ll simply enter your Ticket Code when it's time.

Purchase Tickets

Cary-Grove High School Class of 2020
Melina Weil

Eighty-seven percent of graduates in the class of 2020 will continue their studies at four-year colleges, two-year community colleges, and vocational and technical schools. Fifty-eight percent of students are pursuing degrees at four year colleges and universities. Students earned $6,476,150 in scholarships.

The class of 2020 will study in 28 states. McHenry County College, Illinois State University, and Harper College are the top three schools students will attend this fall. Thirty-five percent of students are interested in studying STEM, 16 percent in marketing/communications, and 15 percent business. Eight students plan to serve in the armed forces. 

Thirty-five percent of the class of 2020 earned an industry credential in agriculture/food/natural resources, arts/communications, human/public services, information technology, manufacturing/engineering/technology/trade, and health/sciences. 

There were 402 graduates in the class of 2020. District 155’s graduation rate is 96 percent and the state’s graduation rate is 86 percent.  

Community High School District 155 has conducted a uniform, district-wide senior survey for the last 13 years.

Three Cary-Grove Students Earn Illinois High School Musical Theatre Outstanding Student Awards
Alex LeMoine

Five District 155 students were recognized for their performances in this year’s musicals by the Broadway in Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards. Over 200 students submitted entries, and 24 students across the state received the Outstanding Actors and Actresses Award. 

Three Cary-Grove High School students, Spencer Bethers, Lauren Henriques and Allan Lopez, received awards for their performances in “The Drowsy Chaperone”. Bethers, a senior at Cary-Grove, portrayed the comedic lead Adolpho. Lopez played Robert Martin and Henriques starred as The Drowsy Chaperone in their final performances at Cary-Grove.

Quinn Welder, a senior at Crystal Lake Central High School, was recognized for his role as Motel in Central’s production of “Fiddler On the Roof”. Ricky Falbo, a senior at Crystal Lake South High School, played Frank Abagnale Jr. in this year’s production of “Catch Me if You Can”.

The Broadway in Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) celebrate excellence in high school theatre throughout the state of Illinois. The IHSMTA recognizes the top submissions based on their excellence in musical theater and a clear commitment to their role. 

Due to COVID-19, all submissions were reviewed by video. The IHSMTA was able to virtually acknowledge the outstanding performances of students across the state despite COVID-19 related cancellations.