EPCHS names Valedictorian, Co-Salutatorians

The 2023 valedictorian and co-salutatorians at Evergreen Park Community High School were recognized during the Illinois Principals Association South Cook region’s annual Student Recognition Breakfast on May 4 at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park.

The event recognizes the best and the brightest students in the south suburbs.

EPCHS students recognized at the event were seniors Helen Joyce (valedictorian), Leo Cassidy (co-salutatorian) and Nicole Reynolds (co-salutatorian).

“I’m extremely proud of all three students and how they have represented our high school the past four years,” EPCHS Principal Bill Sanderson said. “It has also been an honor and privilege to work with Helen and Nicole for the past six years as they were both part of our math skippers program in seventh and eighth grade.”

Helen Joyce, the 2023 EPCHS valedictorian, has received the Illinois Council of Teachers Mathematics award, the Evergreen Park American Legion Auxiliary #854 award and the Illini Girls State Award. She is an AP scholar with honor and an Illinois State Scholar.

Joyce serves as the student ambassador to the Evergreen Park Community High School District 231 Board of Education and is the National Honor Society (NHS) president, Student Government president, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) secretary and Scholastic Bowl captain. She is also a group facilitator for Operation Snowball and a member of Professional ABC, Mathletes the Principals Advisory Committee and Student Leadership.

Joyce will attend the University of North Carolina this fall and major in business marketing.

Leo Cassidy, one of two co-salutatorians, recently earned the prestigious Chick Evans scholarship. He has also competed in golf at EPCHS, winning individual conference titles his junior and senior years, the team MVP award his sophomore, junior and senior years and was the team captain his junior and senior seasons.

He has been the FBLA president his junior and senior years, the NHS vice president his senior year, a Snowball retreat small group leader, the creator and founder of the EPTV club, an Illinois State Scholar and an AP scholar in addition to his involvement in the Service Club.

Cassidy will attend the University of Illinois on the full-ride Chick Evans scholarship and major in sports agency.

Nicole Reynolds, another 2023 EPCHS co-salutatorian, is a softball player who earned All-Conference her junior year. She is a Mathlete and has earned several accolades in regional and state Mathletes competitions. She has also been involved in FBLA and NHS, and is an Illinois State Scholar as well.

Reynolds will attend Roosevelt University in Chicago and major in accounting.

“You and the other recipients will play a large part in shaping your communities,” the Illinois Principals Association said in a statement to all students honored at the breakfast. “This morning we honor each of you, as you have demonstrated the attributes and characteristics of outstanding students. In some way, academically, socially, physically, you have contributed to the excellence of your school community.”