THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
Best Of The Month
Scott Klepadlo Of Maine East, Karen Solari Of South Named May's Top Students
By DWIGHT ESAU
Journal Reporter
The "best" students at Maine East and South high schools for May are Scott Klepadlo, an outstanding East athlete; and Karen Solari, exceptional athlete and leader at South.
They were both honored at last week's board of education meeting for their extra-curricular activities, scholarship, and leadership.
Klepadlo is a year-round, three-sport athlete at East, participating in football, basketball, and track and field. He was recommended for the recognition by coaches Len LaBonar in football, Glenn Olson in basketball, and Chris Peters in track and field.
He was selected as football captain for the 2007 season and has an outstanding work ethic, according to LaBonar. "He has a first there and last to leave mentality," the coach said. "He sets an example through his work ethic that his teammates could and would follow. His vocal nature made him an excellent field leader."
He also was captain of the regional champion Demon basketball team in the 2007-08 season, and "was committed to be the best basketball player, teammate, and person he could be," according to Olson.
"If the track team needs Scott in any event, he is willing to do that event even if it is not his best or favorite one," said Peters. "He was been invaluable to the track and field team."
Solari played a major role in leading the Maine South girls basketball team to the elite eight state finals in 2006, to a sectional final in 2007, and the Sweet Sixteen in 2008, in the last as team captain, said Principal Dave Claypool. "She was named to the all-area teams in basketball and volleyball. She participated in the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Conference after her sophomore year, and helped Athletic Director Steve Adams as a student leader for the South STARS (Students Teaching Athletes to Reach Success) Leadership Program.
She is a Hawk Pride leader, a physical education leader, and a member of the highly successful AP Constitution Team, which competes in Washington, D.C., annually. She ranks in the top 12 of her senior class this year, possessing a 4.73 grade point average."
A coach said of her, "She has developed lifetime skills by challenging herself every day to be the best she can be."