Varsity Athletic Awards

ABOVE: Join us as we take a look back at the 2021-22 Elmwood Park High School athletic teams. It was a year of hard work, intense camaraderie and lots of great memories! A big thank you to seniors Amelia Ennis, Lauren Olson and Allison Scheidt for producing this video, and thanks to everyone who contributed photos! The video was produced for the EPHS Varsity Banquet held May 23, 2022, at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. Go Tigers!

Cynthia Schulze Spirit Award

This award honors former EPHS student-athlete, Cynthia Schulze. It recognizes the Tiger athlete who most exemplifies the dedication and commitment to high school athletics that Cynthia showed throughout her EPHS career.

Congratulations to our 2021-22 winner:

• ALLISON SCHEIDT

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award

This award honors a male and a female athlete who meet the following criteria: 

1. Member of a varsity team 
2. High school junior or senior
3. Leader among his or her peers
4. Outstanding young citizen

Congratulations to our 2021-22 winners:

• GABE DE LA MORA
• ANYERLI MORENO

Jody Binder Scholarship

This award honors Jody Littlehale Binder, who served as the Elmwood Park High School athletic director from 1994 to 2007. She was passionate about the school and about serving the Tiger student-athletes. Mrs. Binder also coached multiple sports, and throughout her career she encouraged athletes to participate in multiple activities. Upon her and her family's request, a scholarship was created in her name. The requirements are:

1. The student received two varsity letters while at EPHS.
2. The student is a multiple-sport athlete, participating in two different sports at EPHS.
3. The student has a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
4. The student has been accepted to attend a college or university.
5. The student has completed eight semesters of high school.
6. The student submitted an essay with the theme, "How has your participating in EPHS athletics shaped your sense of community and your place in it?"

Congratulations to our 2021-22 winner:

• ALLISON SCHEIDT

Booster Club Scholarship

These scholarships are presented to athletes who have been involved in two sports each year for four years and have been accepted to attend a two-year or four-year college or university. They are voted upon by the head coaches. Parents of the athletes must be members of the Elmwood Park High School Booster Club.

Congratulations to our 2021-22 winners:

• GEORGE GAUTHIER
• ANNA KLOCKENKEMPER 
• EMMA KLOCKENKEMPER
• JOE WYND

Gary Stearns Award

This award honors former EPHS Athletic Director Gary Stearns. The award recognizes athletes who demonstrate leadership qualities and good sportsmanship while having participated in eight seasons of athletics.

Congratulations to our 2021-22 winners:

• ALLISON SCHEIDT
• ISAIAH SOLIS

Arthur Glad Award

This award honors Elmwood Park High School's second athletic director, Art Glad. The senior athlete must have received an athletic award in two sports in each year for four years. The athlete must also have a minimum 3.5-grade point average and hold the highest GPA through seven semesters among all varsity letter winners.

Congratulations to our 2021-22 winner:

• PHILIP BUDZYNA

Terry Ray Memorial Award (#2 Male Athlete)

This award honors former Elmwood Park High School student-athlete Terry Ray, who passed away in 1960. The award is given to the EPHS male student who tallied the second-highest point total based on participation, athletic achievement and scholastic standing.

Congratulations to our 2021-22 winner:

• AVIAN MATOS

Jody Littlehale Binder Award (#2 Female Athlete)

This award honors former EPHS Athletic Director Jody Littlehale Binder. The award is given to the EPHS female athlete who tallied the second-highest point total based on participation, athletic achievement and scholastic standing.

Congratulations to our 2021-22 winner:

• ALLISON SCHEIDT

Dean Carter Award (Top Male Athlete)

This award honors the first athletic director of EPHS, Dean Carter. The award recognizes the male athlete who tallied the highest point total based on participation, athletic achievement and scholastic standing. This is the top award presented to an EPHS male athlete.

Congratulations to our 2021-22 winner:

• JACKSON PEDERSEN

Cynthia Schulze Sports Award (Top Female Athlete)

This award honors former EPHS student-athlete Cynthia Schulze. The award recognizes the female athlete who tallied the highest point total based on participation, athletic achievement and scholastic standing. This is the top award given to an EPHS female athlete.

Congratulations to our 2021-22 winner:

• LAUREN OLSON

ABOVE: Click this Varsity Banquet video to watch a photo retrospective of the 2019-20 Elmwood Park High School athletic teams. A big thank you to senior Samantha Brayton for producing the video, and thanks to everyone who contributed photos! 

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award

This award honors a male and a female athlete who meet the following criteria: 

1. Member of a varsity team 

2. High school junior or senior
3. Leader among his or her peers
4. Outstanding young citizen

Congratulations to our 2019-20 winners:

• ALAA ABDELHADI 
• JULIO SANDOVAL 

Jody Binder Scholarship

This award honors Jody Littlehale Binder, who served as the Elmwood Park High School athletic director from 1994 to 2007. She was passionate about the school and about serving the Tiger student-athletes. Mrs. Binder also coached multiple sports, and throughout her career, she encouraged athletes to participate in multiple activities. Upon her and her family's request, a scholarship was created in her name. The requirements are:

1. The student received two varsity letters while at EPHS.
2. The student is a multiple-sport athlete, participating in two different sports at EPHS.
3. The student has a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
4. The student has been accepted to attend a college or university.
5. The student has completed eight semesters of high school.
6. The student submitted an essay with the theme, "How has your participating in EPHS athletics shaped your sense of community and your place in it?"

Congratulations to our 2019-20 winner: 

• GABI SZADO

Booster Club Scholarship

These scholarships are presented to athletes who have been involved in two sports each year for four years and have been accepted to attend a two-year or four-year college or university. They are voted upon by the head coaches. Parents of the athletes must be members of the Elmwood Park High School Booster Club.

Congratulations to our 2019-20 winners:

• LUIS GOMEZ 
• MICHAEL STRANSKI 
• JIMMY STRONG 
• VANESSA VERNA 

Gary Stearns Award

This award honors former EPHS Athletic Director Gary Stearns. The award recognizes athletes who demonstrate leadership qualities and good sportsmanship while having participated in eight seasons of athletics.

Congratulations to our 2019-20 winners:

• ZACHARY OWENS 
• GABI SZADO 

Arthur Glad Award

This award honors Elmwood Park High School's second athletic director, Art Glad. The senior athlete must have received an athletic award in two sports in each year for four years. The athlete must also have a minimum 3.5-grade point average and hold the highest GPA through seven semesters among all varsity letter winners.

Congratulations to our 2019-20 winner:

• WIKTORIA STANKIEWICZ 

Terry Ray Memorial Award

This award honors former Elmwood Park High School student-athlete Terry Ray, who passed away in 1960. The award is given to the EPHS male student who tallied the second-highest point total based on participation, athletic achievement and scholastic standing.

Congratulations to our 2019-20 winner:

• GIO VEGA 

Jody Littlehale Binder Award

This award honors former EPHS Athletic Director Jody Littlehale Binder. The award is given to the EPHS female athlete who tallied the second-highest point total based on participation, athletic achievement and scholastic standing.

Congratulations to our 2019-20 winner:

• GETI ZANI 

Dean Carter Award

This award honors the first athletic director of EPHS, Dean Carter. The award recognizes the male athlete who tallied the highest point total based on participation, athletic achievement and scholastic standing. This is the top award presented to an EPHS male athlete.

Congratulations to our 2019-20 winner:

• MICHAEL STRANSKI 

Cynthia Schulze Sports Award

This award honors former EPHS student-athlete Cynthia Schulze. The award recognizes the female athlete who tallied the highest point total based on participation, athletic achievement and scholastic standing. This is the top award given to an EPHS female athlete.

Congratulations to our 2019-20 winner:

• SAMANTHA BRAYTON