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Week of April 20 to April 24 2026
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Update from Superintendent Bentsen
Dear Fenton School Community,
I want to congratulate the entire cast, crew, and all the directors of the Spring Musical “Mean Girls” for an outstanding show last weekend. It was a thoroughly entertaining and well executed production.
During our Saturday matinee show we enjoyed hosting over 75 guests for our annual Senior Citizen Luncheon prior to the 1 p.m. show.
One very special guest was Bensenville resident Ellie Leveen, who is 106 years old! She had many inspiring stories to share with our lunch volunteers and great questions to ask our student performers after the show. It was a joy to share the afternoon with her!
We value our community partners and always enjoy sharing our student successes with the wonderful residents of Bensenville, Wood Dale, and Addison. Our success is your success.
Thank you to our many student volunteers who greeted guests, served them lunch, and transported them throughout the building.
Administrative Professionals Day
Wednesday, April 22 was National Administrative Professionals Day and we celebrated our valuable support staff.
These professionals do invaluable work behind the scenes to ensure our teachers, students, families, and administrators are supported in all aspects of running the school. Thank you to all!
School Board Recognitions
At its April meeting, the Board of Education was thrilled to recognize another large group of students for their incredible accomplishments.
The cast of our Group Interpretation show “Theater Camp” was recognized for thriving in a new Sectional and once again competing at the State Finals, where Sebastian Botello, Yuliana Garcia, and Alita Thach earned All-State Cast honors.
Group Interpretation is a 30-minute play that focuses on storytelling without the use of character-defining costumes, makeup, props, lighting, or any of the other trappings of traditional theatre. Students rely solely on their voices, bodies, and musical instruments to bring a story to life.
Similarly, the cast and crew of our Contest Play production of “Living Out” dominated that same new Sectional and competed at the IHS State Finals, where six students earned individual All-State recognitions, including:
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Faith Wrzeciona - Acting
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Damaris Lopez - Acting
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Angela Garcia Lopez - Acting
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Alex Cabello Rivas - Light Design and Operation
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Alonso Romero - Acting
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Leslie Anzueto Palomeque - Light Projection Design and Operation
There’s something special about a few of these All-State honors. Alonso and Angela received All-State recognition while performing their roles entirely in Spanish. We believe they’re the first Fenton students to earn this achievement.
Similarly, Alex and Leslie are Fenton’s first All-State recognitions on the technical side.
Contest Play is where theater meets competition. Unlike a full-length production, everything is tightened – scenes, transitions, and technical elements all have to be executed efficiently and creatively within strict time limits.
Finally, we celebrated numerous wrestling achievements.
Derek Mazariegos and Rene Reyna both qualified to the IHSA State Finals after impressive regular seasons.
Girls wrestling has only been an official IHSA sport for a couple of years. State-wide competition originally started under the umbrella of the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA).
Fenton continues wrestling in the IWCOA state series and this year Giselle Castillo took 1st Place in her bracket of 38 competitors, making her the IWCOA State Champion in her weight class.
Ariana Solideo was the State Runner Up in her bracket of 29 girl wrestlers.
Of course, these are STUDENT athletes, and four of our wrestlers were honored for their work in the classroom.
Giselle Castillo, Gavin Stewart, Juan Lopez Velasquez, and Maja Makowska were selected to the IWCOA Academic All-State Wrestling Team. It’s actually a pretty selective group of students who are chosen for Academic All-State honors.
In order to qualify, these wrestlers must be a senior, have earned a varsity letter, and must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale at the end of their 7th semester of high school (mid-way through senior year).
Character is also a high priority at Fenton. Gavin Stewart is a prime example. This year he became the first Fenton student to receive the “Ed Washington Sportsmanship Award” from the Upstate Eight Conference. In his nomination, Coach Hastings praised Gavin for being supportive, helpful, positive, and responsible to his teammates as well as Fenton’s competitors.
One more congratulations to our outstanding students! Keep up the great work. We are proud of you.
Sam Bentsen, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Fee Waiver
All families can apply for their school fees and fines to be waived in accordance with Board Policy 4:140. Fenton High School charges fees for textbooks, consumable materials, extracurricular activities, and other school student fees. Students must also pay fines for the loss of or damage to school books or other school-owned materials.
Families can learn more about fee waivers on our website: https://www.fenton100.org/parents/fee-waiver
VNA Health Care Offers Affordable, Local Options for Physicals and Immunizations
As we fast approach the start of the new school year, it is important to make sure that your child is up to date with any required school, sports, and camp physicals and immunizations. These check-ups are essential to maintain your child’s health and meet school and state guidelines—helping to prevent any missed days from school, sports or camp.
In Illinois, students are required to have a school physical along with updated immunizations at specific grade levels and for certain activities. Here’s when your child may need them:
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9th Grade: A physical exam is required to begin high school, along with any required immunizations
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12th Grade: Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine – All 12th graders must show proof of receiving the vaccine
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New to Illinois Schools or Change in School District: Any student enrolling in an Illinois school for the first time or moving to another school district must have a physical exam, along with required immunizations, regardless of grade.
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Sports Participation (Grades 6–12): A sports physical is required annually prior to tryouts for students who plan to participatein school athletic programs.
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Camp Participation: Many camps also require a recent physical to ensure children are healthy and cleared for activities.
VNA offers comprehensive and affordable school, sports, and camp physicals at 15 convenient locations (www.vnahealth.com/locations) with or without an appointment.
Now is the best time to schedule your child’s physical. Click here to read the full letter from VNA Health Care.
Sign up for Summer Athletic Camps
Several Fenton athletic programs are hosting summer camps for current students, incoming students, and youth in the Bensenville and Wood Dale community.
Click the link below to view the catalog of programs.
More information on registering for camps, completing waivers, and joining ParentSquare groups for updates can be found on the Athletic Department website at www.fenton100.org/athletics.
Celebrate Polish Constitution Day by Ordering Traditional Polish Food
May 3rd marks Polish Constitution Day, a holiday that commemorates Europe's first 'modern written Constitution' in 1791, a document profoundly inspired by the American Constitution penned shortly before it.
Fenton's Polish Club invites students and staff to celebrate by trying some traditional Polish food favorites on Monday, May 4th during all lunch periods!
Skip bringing lunch that day and pre-order a Polish lunch option using this Google Form by Friday, May 1. A Polish Food Truck parked in front, but they will prepare meals only for those who have pre-ordered! Payment can be made between now and Friday to Mrs. Sader or on Friday with Polish Club students at their table in the cafeteria during lunch periods.
Students need to pay in time and indicate their correct lunch period in order to participate.
Seniors Sing in Final Choir Concert on May 4,
Fenton Choir to Sing a Story Created from a Family Affected by CHARGE Syndrome
Monday, May 4 is the final Choir Concert of the year and a heartfelt send off to the senior performers from the Class of 2026. This event is free to the public.
Also at Monday’s show our students will perform a unique song commissioned based on a story written by three young Chicago area children – Gianna (6), Michael (8), and Dominic (2) via a partnership with the Sing Me a Story Foundation.
Gianna is affected by CHARGE Syndrome and is nonverbal, and together with her two siblings they wrote a story of strength, love, and deep connection. Michael led the way in their story writing.
When given the opportunity to write about anything he wanted, Michael imagined a fast-paced and wildly creative adventure starring himself and his siblings. In the story, the trio embarks on an action-packed journey filled with invisible spray, daring flying rescues, and even a trip to the garbage station after Dominic sleepwalks into the trash. Along the way, they collect endless amounts of candy and overcome each challenge with creativity and humor.
Through all the excitement, the siblings work together to save the day again and again. Their adventure ends in celebration, complete with a triumphant basketball win and a motorcycle jump into the sunset.
The children even drew the story in a book! You can read their full story here: https://www.singmeastory.org/stories/the-adventures-of-the-cukierski-siblings
This family experience of writing a short story and seeing it transformed into a musical performance was made possible by a grant from the Bensenville Arts Council, which allowed Fenton to partner with the Sing Me a Story Foundation and the CHARGE Foundation.
Our students are excited to participate in such a meaningful partnership.
See Tomorrow’s Business Leaders at INCubator Pitch Night on May 8
Fenton’s new INCubator program is hosting its second annual Final Pitch Night at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8th at Fenton. The evening will closely resemble the hit TV show Shark Tank, with real money going toward real business ideas.
Students in the full year Entrepreneurship class (also known as INCubator) work with real-world entrepreneurs and local industry-leading mentors to create and fully develop their own product or service and incorporate it into a real-world business they own. Students experience the full range of business operations, including ideation, research, marketing, accounting, human resources, as well as the legal aspects of running a business.
The public is invited to Fenton’s May 8th INCubator Final Pitch Night. These are tomorrow’s business leaders. Please consider attending and encouraging them!
Prom Tickets on Sale in the Bookstore
Prom tickets are on sale in the bookstore! Prom tickets will increase starting May 1st by $5.00. Make sure to grab your tickets as the last day to purchase tickets will be May 8th. Current sale price is $90.00 until May 1st.
Fenton Observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month by Touring YWCA’s Clothesline Project
Thank you to the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago for bringing their Clothesline Project to Fenton High School. Classes were invited to visit and tour the exhibit all throughout the day. Representatives from YWCA did a brief introduction each period before releasing students to browse independently. YWCA counselors and advocates were also in the front gym in case anyone needed support. This important activity coincides with April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The Clothesline Project began in 1990 as a way for survivors of sexual violence to share their experiences and raise awareness through decorated t-shirts, each telling a unique story. Inspired by the AIDS quilt, visual artist Rachel Carey-Harper proposed using a clothesline — a traditional symbol of women’s work and community connection — to give voice to survivors. Today, the project continues to honor survivors.
New to the exhibit are silhouettes that depict real people who lost their lives due to domestic violence or sexual violence, with brief stories attached to the life-size cutouts.
All of the shirts and silhouettes were created by or are depicting real people from DuPage County.
Students were invited to write messages of encouragement to survivors, those who are no longer with us, or to themselves if students feel empowered.
English 4 Students Present Research on Driving Questions
English 4 students displayed their cumulative projects as part of an exhibition during all lunch periods today in Fenton's Student Commons.
Students delved into a driving personal question and presented their research and newfound knowledge on the topics.
The project involved research, writing an essay, creating a presentation, presenting in front of their class, and then being available for the school showcase.
Teachers encouraged students to have their project lead to positive contribution to their community, such as encouraging other students to join a cause, take better care of themselves, or raise awareness about a lesser known topic.
Connor Cheney Signs to Play Football in College
Fenton senior Connor Cheney recently decided to continue his football career at Aurora University, where he plans to study graphic design. Connor was Fenton’s starting center and linebacker.
“I want to thank Fenton High School for its support throughout my time here and for the amazing opportunity to play football at the next level,” Connor said in a written statement. “I also want to thank Coach Farrell and Coach Lynch because without their amazing coaching, I wouldn't be in the position I'm in today.
“And finally, I want to thank my teammates because they made the last four years of my life special and supported me through both the good and the bad,” Connor said.
Coach Mark Farrell praised Connor for being the anchor of a dominant Fenton offensive line that blocked for 2,100 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns during this most recent 2025 season. On defense, Connor had 36 tackles, 3 tackles for losses, and 1 forced fumble.
Off the field, Connor is a star pupil of Graphics Teacher Lauren Lemm. Last year Connor earned an Award of Excellence from the The Great Lakes Graphics Association for his poster celebrating then-teammate Nate Stewart committing to Quincy University’s football team.
“I chose Aurora University because they made me feel like family the second they started recruiting me, because of the elite coaching I will have, and because they focused on my future,” Connor said. “I am excited to start this new chapter in my life at Aurora and to represent Fenton at the next level. Go Spartans!”
Congratulations Connor!
McKinney-Vento Homeless Act
Families that are experiencing homelessness, defined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act (42 U.S.C. § 11301) as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, may be eligible for support services to assist students with continued success in school. Information regarding the Act can be found on our website at: https://www.fenton100.org/parents/enrollment-withdrawal/homelessmckinney-vento-act.
For further information or to discuss your needs, please contact Dr. Eric Koranda, school district homeless liaison, at 630-860-6255.
Noteworthy Dates
- May 1 – Decision Day, all lunch periods
- May 4 – Spring Choir Concert, 7 pm
- May 6 – Spring Band Concert, 7 pm
- May 7 – AP Art Show, 7 pm
- May 12 – Music Department Awards Night, 7 pm
- May 15 – 12:08 pm Early Dismissal
- May 15 – Prom, 6 pm
- May 18 – Senior Awards Night, 6:30 pm
- May 19 – Senior Brunch, 10 am
- May 20 – Graduation Practice, 8:30 am
- May 21 – Graduation, 7 pm
- May 25 – No School – Memorial Day
- May 27 – Board of Education Meeting, 7 pm
- May 28 – Final Exam Day 1
- May 29 – Final Exam Day 2
- June 1 – Final Exam Day 3