L-W East volleyball team honors teachers at match

   Varsity volleyball players at Lincoln-Way East High School took time before their Sept. 6 match to show their teachers how much they appreciate what they do for them in the classroom.

   The students invited their favorite teachers to the game so that they could honor them during a special recognition program before the match.

    “Our intent is to recognize our teachers in a special way,” said volleyball coach Linda Vivona, who coined the evening “Each Athlete Salutes a Teacher (EAST).”

   “Teachers spend many hours preparing lessons that are meaningful and fun,” she added. “Our girls know that they are student-athletes and that being a student athlete is the first of three program goals. We expect them to maintain a 3.0, turn in work on time and prepare adequately for tests.”

   Each player picked a teacher to recognize on the volleyball court that night during pre-match introductions. Afterward, they went out for ice cream.

   Among those honored were: math teacher Kristin Andruch, science teacher Rachel Beattie, world languages chair Peg Bobber, English/reading teacher Karisa Casey, career and tech/business teacher Marissa Cirrincione, English teacher Hilary Gansauer, social science teacher Joshua Holder, world languages teacher Robin Jurkiewicz, English teacher Brianna Korczak, social science teacher Elizabeth Pawlicki, world languages teacher Laura Slusarski, English teacher Amanda Stewart, social science teacher Timothy Thompson, world languages teacher Veronica Tylka-Shaw and English teacher Patricia Walker.

   “Congrats teachers and thanks for all you do to inspire the student-athletes of the East Girls Volleyball program,” said Vivona.