Awards & Recognition

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Zach Pekol

Shorewood Troy

Principal: Mrs. Renee Marski

For his dedication to academic excellence and interscholastic activities and his commitment to the power of education, Zach Pekol is the winner of the Scholar Attitude Award for Board of Directors Division D.

Zach is proud of his 4.0 GPA while participating in cross country, basketball, track, Honor Society, club volleyball, soccer, Science Club, and L.E.A.D. Club. “I spend many hours practicing and studying in order to keep my grades up, and I do this because I value education,” Zach explains. “I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in my sports as well as being challenged in the educational setting.” In fact, if he could make one change in the world, it would be to help all parents understand the value of their child’s education.

In January 2018, Zach faced the biggest challenge of his young life when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. He struggled to focus in school as he worried about his mother’s health. “I now appreciate everything I have,” Zach says. “I regret that having a family member face a life-threatening disease was the only way for me to realize the bigger picture of life.” Zach now participates in events to raise money for people with breast cancer. “I believe my impact can make a difference in someone’s life,” he says.

Zach hopes to continue to make a difference after high school by becoming an elementary school teacher. “I want to be the person that my students trust and count on to make learning enjoyable,” he says. “By becoming an elementary school teacher, I feel that I will be able to set my students up to conquer any adversity they will be facing throughout their lives.”

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