On March 1st, 2024, Warren Township High School’s ELS (Educational Life Skills) basketball team went against Mundelein and fought in close quarters! Our Blue Devils eventually scored ahead of the Mundelein team and took home another victory for Warren. Way to go Blue Devils!
There were many main highlights of the game, such as when Chris Stadig, a senior, was then put back in the game with only a minute left to spare. He made a big steal and scored twice within the last minute! Here’s a special mention to our seniors SaNiah McClain, Ryan Ellison, Gabriel Sandoval, Arshaan Khan, Mahi Shah, and Braulio Sanchez. We’re all super proud of your efforts and determination to score points for us Blue Devils.
Anna Flaherty, an amazing player from our ELS team, mentioned how she loved making new friends on the court and loved how everyone was super supportive behind her and with each other, coming together as a team. She gives a shout-out to all the buddies and teachers who supported her alongside the games.
The game was very close for both Warren and Mundelein, ending with a final score of 81-78. However, everyone was definitely a winner! Coaches Jordan and Morrison wanted to make sure that all players from both teams had an equal amount of play time on the court. Everyone was given an opportunity to score at least 4-6 points for the team, and the team’s energy and enthusiasm after scoring a basket provoked excitement from the crowd made up of our very own Warren community. Excitement from each player was evident based on how focused and determined they were, such as putting their hands up for defense and blocking with their buddies on the court.
Collectively speaking, the real staff MVP was Mrs. Milazzo as she worked hard to ensure Warren students and staff members could gather as one community during the event. She stated that “the most important moment of the game is every minute that the students are engaged, whether watching or playing. The idea of the ‘Best Day Ever’ is that for some of our students, this is their best day ever. The opportunity to shine and be recognized might be their only moment in the spotlight, and I so appreciate that WTHS staff and students make this happen.” Thank you Mrs. Milazzo!
Mrs. Donahoe also helped with the game just as much as Ms. Milazzo did. She states, “The game really provides a positive experience for the Educational Life Skills students to participate in an all-school athletic experience. It provides the students with an opportunity to meet and work with general educational students. The feeling of happiness and pride on the ELS students faces is undeniable and so heartwarming. The students love to display their skills in front of the enthusiastic crowd. I think it also provides our general education students with the opportunity to meet and support new friends. The number of requests we receive from so many groups (Jazz Band, cheerleaders, students from various sports teams) to help is wonderful and grows each year. We hope to continue this tradition for many years to come!” Thank you Mrs. Donahoe for your optimism and helping out with this amazing assembly and basketball game!
This ELS basketball game definitely highlights the need for school-wide events in order to accumulate positive energy and school spirit. All throughout the assembly, students displayed the “Warren Way” tenets of being respectful, resilient, and engaged was demonstrated throughout.
Additionally, here’s a brief statement from Coach Jordan and Coach Morrison about the game and for all Warren students overall: “We are extraordinarily proud of our players and students in an event that really captures the joy of being a high school student at Warren. And we’re very honored to take that role of coaching the team; they were some of the best students on the team… We’re hopeful to continue this tradition for many years to come.“
Thank you all students and staff who made this another assembly the best it could be! Warren hopes to continue hosting events like this for the community to spread more fun and school spirit.
