Dupage Policy Journal

Fenton High School District 100 recently took the opportunity to recognize some of its students for their outstanding achievements.

During during their Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, March 22, members welcomed some local students to recognize their achievements. Superintendent James Ongtengco started by inviting Aiden Torres to appear before the board. Torres was recognized for his participation in the Illinois Music Education Association All State Honors Choir after his audition earned him a spot in the highest and most prestigious vocal ensemble in the state. 

The district was overjoyed to be represented by Torres. His choir teacher, Seredy Williams, commented on how Torres excelled despite the difficulty of the auditions and competitions throughout the year. In turn, Torres thanked his teacher for making it possible and described the value of Williams' philosophy that "with just a little bit of extra work, with just a little bit of repetition, you can achieve great things."

Torres went on to thank his mother, saying: "My mom has been a driving force my entire life, driving me to rehearsals, driving me to Scouts, driving me to school, especially when she didn't want to drive me to school."

Then Torres went on to thank Fenton for its music program and its role in his success.

"And last but certainly not least, I would actually like to thank the entirety of the Fenton music department, including Mr. Garett George, as well as Mr. Bray, for continuing to provide us music students with some of the best experiences we can have in the entire state. I really am grateful for this entire music program, and I am looking forward to spending one last semester with you all."

The board was also excited to honor the district's Special Olympics basketball team, which made it to the state tournament after a thrilling season. Traveling all the way to the state tournament they never expected to be in, the team made it into the final game and brought home a second-place finish to the district as silver medal recipients. 

"They truly had a magical season dating back to January when they upset undefeated Glenbard South Raiders to clinch a spot in the Special Olympics Region C State Tournament," Fenton Assistant Superintendent Samuel Bentsen said at the meeting. "Before heading downstate, the mighty Bison starred in one of our pack the place games. We swept Morton into double header. The fieldhouse was electric. The fan support was unbelievable. It's just a really special time where we honored this team."

Bentsen went on to relay how the team continued its success to eventually make it into the states.

"Then in March, the same Bison went down to Illinois State University and upset Lions Township to qualify for the state championship game," he said. "They played Chatham Glenwood in the title game. It was a close game back and forth all the way to the buzzer. We came up just a few points short. Literally, the whole school was on the edge of their seats with updates that day as we were trying to find out how the game went."

Students and coaches thanked the board and some of their biggest supporters for helping the team make it to practices, games and the state tournament.