For over seventeen years, senior athletes have been extraordinary leaders. These athletes have had some of the best times and experiences of their high school careers.

Senior Joseph Valera has had an amazing career in basketball. He has stated that his junior year in high school was his best year at North because he had a buzzer beater against Antioch.

Valera said that his first game he ever played here at North, he was excited and wanted to prove to himself that he was a contributor to the team.

“In general, I was just excited. I wanted to prove to everyone here what I can do and that I can contribute to Grayslake North,” Valera said.

Senior Brendon Paul, who is on the varsity basketball team, has been playing basketball for ten years. He has stated that what he loves most about his sport is that he gets to play with his teammates.

“I get to play with my teammates and build a brotherhood,” Paul said.

Travis Standerski is one of very few athletes who will be playing college sports. He is a two sport athlete playing football and lacrosse. He plans to attend Saint Michael’s College in Vermont and play lacrosse. He says the reason why he chose a smaller school is because he likes the idea of a “hometown” feel and likes to know who he’s around rather than meet someone new every single day.

“I chose a smaller school as that’s what felt would be best for me as I like a smaller vibe where I am not constantly overwhelmed by meeting new people and I know who is around me,” Standerski said.

Standerski has also said that his first time playing at North was definitely an experience and that it feels like a brotherhood because everybody is playing for the same thing.

These four years for these student athletes here at GNHS have undoubtedly been some of the best years of their lives, and while they were playing, they truly brought out the best of themselves.