It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Gala, a night of friendship and celebration. Your support of our people and programs enables us to continue to cultivate the emerging strengths and maturity of our students. Thanks to you all, with a particular note of thanks to Candise Cho and her exceptional team for hosting the evening.    

We are in the home stretch of the school year, with many notable Payton activities and events to report:

Accolades. The Future Problem Solvers Team won the state championship, the NHS sponsored the blood drive, Juan Aguirre and Maya Rodriguez were named to the IHSA Academic Team Honorable Mention, we had 4 symposium winners at the State Science Fair and 5 students selected for Illinois Junior Academy of Science Fair, the JV and Varsity debate teams had a wonderful showing at the state (2 teams were Octafinalists, 2 teams were in the semifinals, and numerous speaker awards, including the tournament's most valuable debater award), and the Certamen (Latin) Team earned buckets of awards at the Illinois Junior Classical League tournament.  

Recognitions. Following our nomination by the U.S. Dept. of Education, we have submitted our application for the National Blue Ribbon Award, Payton was named the 2nd most challenging high school in the Midwest, and was named one of the top-50 high schools in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.

Students.  AP testing is occurring, 91 students and 11 teachers traveled abroad on Payton-sponsored trips over spring break, we are working with the incoming freshmen and their families to ensure their transition into Payton is exciting and smooth.

All of this is just an extension of what we witness every day in every classroom: students' commitment to their growth, faculty generously sharing their time and talents, and the foundational strength of families supporting their children at home and at school.

Complex emotions arise amidst it all because our seniors, whom we love and have had a hand in nurturing fort the past 3 � years, will soon leave Payton and move on to the next stage of their lives. They are making their college selections and it is so good to hear their growing excitement about the upcoming undergraduate experiences. Yes, the class of 2014 will attend some exceptional schools and many have scholarship dollars available to make the undergraduate experience more accessible (e.g. 2 students earned the Gates Millennium Scholarship, 3 earned National Merit Scholarships, and 1 earned a National Achievement Scholarship), but more exciting is hearing them talk about their college plans-courses and majors, clubs and activities, travel programs, and professors with whom they plan to conduct research, etc. They are well positioned for their futures and we are excited for them, even as we know we'll miss their voices next year in Payton's halls and classrooms.

We are fortunate to be part of this remarkable community. Thank you for all that you do to make it so. 

Tim Devine, Principal 

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

I-Night 2014 Details

General admission is free and includes activity and culture booths as well as delicious food from around the world at a GREAT price (Food tickets are .50 cents each and go a long way!)

Performances in Recital Hall (7-8:30PM) 

Don't miss out on our special performances, which include song, dance, martial arts, and much, much more! Performance tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults, available for purchase during lunch this week and at the door.

Invite Your Friends! International Night is our biggest fundraiser of the year for international trips. Payton students had eye-opening and life-changing experiences abroad this year, and with support from the school community we can continue to make this available to students for years to come. Please pass the word on by inviting family, friends, and community members to this fun night that showcases Payton's cultural diversity through live performances, games, art, and international food.

The Payton chapter of Best Buddies was named "Outstanding Chapter of the Year" by Best Buddies Illinois. The award was presented on Apr. 5 at the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk at Loyola University. Nearly 20 members of the Payton chapter participated in the walk this year, raising over $1500 as a team.  

Best Buddies is an international organization that aims to promote friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Payton chapter meets twice a week during Enrichment Periods. Anyone interested in getting involved should contact Ms. Sarah Spencer (Special Education), the faculty advisor of Best Buddies.

Every week, one of the Enrichments offered to Payton students is the PED Talk, modeled after the TED Talk series. A wide range of outside speakers have participated and, at a recent meeting, the faculty sponsors asked students who they would like to speak in the future. The list that was created is below. If you have access to any anyone on this list, please contact PJ Karafiol (Math).

1.  Google employee or consultant

2.  Michio Kaku

3.  Former or current NFL player to discuss CTE

4.  Criminal Lawyer

5.  Psychiatrist 

6.  Chicago reporter or sports journalist

7.  Music Film Producer, someone who scores films

8.  Marine Biologist

9.  Jose Angel- Illegal: Reflections of a Undocumented Immigrant

10. Bruce J. Katz - Metropolitan Revolution

11. Person involved in International Relations trade/politics, etc.

12. Psychologist, with experience in setting up a practice

13. Hosts of Curious City - WBEZ Program

14. Surgeon

15. Engineer- Aerospace, Chemical, or Environmental

16. Anthropologist

17. Male Model

18. Entrepreneur

19. Video Game Developer

Girls Softball  Led by new and enthusiastic coach, George Stavrakas (previously at Lane Tech), the girls are tied for first place in the city after racking up two wins against Clemente. The weather forces them into a tight and action-packed schedule these next two weeks, as they (hopefully) head onward to City Championships May 16, and then to State (as a Division 3A team, their prospects are excellent). Home games are right at the diamond at Wells and Oak, so please come cheer these hardworking girls on! 

Boys Tennis  The team sports a 2-3 record so far, with wins over Whitney Young and Brooks, and hard-fought losses that came down to third-set tiebreakers. With "must win" matches coming up against Taft and Morgan Park this week, the team has a chance to advance to the CPS championships and beyond. 

Boys Water Polo  After the departure of many members of last year's strong senior-led team, the Grizzlies are rebuilding with a young team, fielding mostly freshmen and sophomores. Nevertheless, they prevailed over previously undefeated Westinghouse last week and are in the running for a place in the upcoming city championships.  

Girls Water Polo  The Lady Grizzlies have two matches to go to achieve a winning season, and from there, upcoming events include the first stage of finals this weekend at Jones, quarterfinals at Whitney Young next Thurs. May 8, and then Sectionals at UIC on May 15.