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Speaking in front of the school at an assembly.

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I remember talking to Dr. Robb and Coach Jerry O'Brien about my ideas to start World Fest at PHS and how fun the first year went in the gym. They way everyone helped to make this event possible was amazing!

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Winning 3rd in state in soccer with Coach Filian in 1994!

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Being a college senior visiting my future place of employment with family not knowing I would be here 30+ years later!

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Latin Dance Crew

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Breakdancing during passing periods

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Doing Elvis on Institute

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SAND (faculty band)

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Flash Mob at assembly!

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Hype Videos!

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Every assembly when the Pep Squad performs everyone always gives a standing ovation. Palatine supports its people and it always gives me chills.

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When I was Orchesis director and we created the Holiday Spectacular Show including a kids matinee and a Rockettes inspired tap dance (my dream job other than being a math teacher!)

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When my daughter Sierra Hanson was on homecoming court one year and when they announced her name in the gym, she raised her hands in the air and the entire school was cheering for her

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Getting to do a story for Channel 7 with Liz about how we are 2 (of the many) former students who ended back at PHS to teach. ☺️

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When my daughter was able to be a page and deliver a flower to a member of the Homecoming Court during Royal Rally

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My favorite memory of Palatine is my graduation. Marching out of the gym through the East Gym hallway. Seeing all my teachers line the sides clapping and congratulating me meant a lot.

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Seeing my athlete, John Elischer earn 5th place in the State Finals for the 300m Intermediate Hurdles

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Watching the Solar Eclipse and PHS Family Staff BBQ

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Student vs Teacher Basketball games - It was so fun to be part of the cheerleading squad! :)

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I had interviewed at Schaumburg and was asked to go to PHS for an interview. It was way farther than I wanted to travel but I went to the interview anyway. I was so impressed that I called my wife immediately after and said if I get this job we should move closer because this is where I am supposed to be.

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Watching my twins, their friends and fellow classmates parading in on their first day of Senior year…. Proud Mom of Nora and Connor Loftus ( Class of 2022)

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Girls cross country team wins the state meet in 2009!!

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Beating Fremd at the buzzer to clinch the division in girls basketball…we led the whole game, Fremd hit a 3 with 7 seconds left to go ahead by one and then Kendra Lindell knocked down a 15 foot turnaround as the horn sounded to win. Score was 43-42 and those numbers are still in my phone passcode…xoxo MJ. Oh and we went 1-15 against them in my career as HC only time we beat them

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Boys basketball buzzer beater to go down state and all the videos showing the excitement of the fans

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The first concert we had in person in May of 2021. After over 12 months of being separated by delayed video learning due to the pandemic, it was overwhelming to be creating in real time in front of an audience at last!

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2018 Softball Team - 3rd place in state. More specifically, beating Barrington at Barrington in the super sectional to go down state. We were down 0-2 going into the 6th inning and we hit two homeruns to take the lead 3-2. So many Palatine fans were there to cheer us on! It was AWESOME!

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Our going away picture for Patrick Abraham 

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During hybrid learning French 3 students did a music video project in January & it was the first time I got to see most of their faces that year. I cried happy tears on zoom. The projects were all phenomenal too. 🥹

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Laughing and collaborating with my colleagues! I really love my team!

Project Excel makes my heart happy. Such amazing students!

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At my first pep assembly, the PHS pep squad got the largest celebration of any performance group.

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As a senior in high school my basketball team won the supersectional and Palatine HS was the host school. Bob Carroll was there loo!

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Creating that huge flag after 911 and our ceremony on the field. A memory I’ll never forget.

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I performed my first oil change!

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Visiting my kids at Pirate Pete Preschool & then seeing them perform at PHS pep assemblies & compete in PHS sports!! Once a Pirate always a Pirate!! 😍

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Every student that gave a thank you and heartfelt gratitude as we finish up their senior year and transition to college😊

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Royal Rally on Friday night with real zoo animals!

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Meeting my future wife!

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My first royal rally

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Going down state for football in 95’

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Cultural Awareness international festival where we showcased different countries through dance, fashion shows, individual booths of countries. It was a huge event we used to do in the main gym.

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ELS holiday luncheons - LOTS of work but so much reward!

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2005 Royal Rally Thursday night in the gym. Seeing a camel and a horse in the gym was amazing.

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My favorite moment at PHS is when I attended my first homecoming assembly watching Pep Squad perform. I was brought to tears seeing all the support and inclusion.

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Too many to list over the last 25 years, but every time a student reaches out for help and starts to believe in themselves.

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All the memories seeing Project Excel students succeed and achieve their goals!

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Favorite memory, the first day I met the team, teachers and staff with Bob and became a Pirate 🏴‍☠️

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Demonstrating the solar eclipse with inflatables during the pep assembly

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Basketball Boys going to state and everyone at PHS went to watch!!!

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Working as the Police Counselor from 1985-1988

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Saturday afternoon homecoming games!

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Frisbee fest!!! 🥏

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Being apart of the wrestling team that took 4th place in state twice.

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Covid senior parade

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Win over Warren in basketball super sectionals at NIU to go to State

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Recognition assemblies for our Sports!

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When PHS created and presented the USA flag after 9/11

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B Bomber Football C Chop Squad Football and hanging w John Nalley and watching our B and C kids starting on Varsity on Friday nights making their mark on history.

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Writing a couple here. As a student, it was having Mr. Zandi for math class two out of my four years at PHS. His loud laugh could be heard from the entire third floor, he brought the same energy to his teaching every single day. As a teacher, it was getting voted to read names at the 2024 graduation ceremony, and getting to read off my little brother’s name as he walked across the stage. -Anthony Portera

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When my twins were the pages for Royal Rally 2003.

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1/2 scale house in GIC!

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My favorite memory of Palatine High School was roving the hallway with different teachers from different departments. It was always fun to meet new people. I was able to get to know the foreign language department well during roving and even learned some Spanish. #BillyLaBufanda

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2020 Senior Car Parade

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The student response every time the PEP squad performs at an assembly

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Halloween Trick or Treat Fest, especially when I brought my kids back when they were little.

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When Palatine Basketball made it to state and the small group of us that stayed behind had watch parties with our classes and cheered the team on from afar!

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Royal Rally!

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When the boys basketball team went to state and the amount of support from EVERYONE. I chaperoned and we had the most student busses of any other school there, and not only that driving through the community the send off was incredible. Goes to show how much people care about this school and the students.

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Going to camp sunrise with ELS

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Flash Mob.

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Every time one of our kids in Project Excel gets accepted into their dream college.

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Semifinal football game (2014) on a Saturday night with a snow storm. The entire community came out and shoveled the field and stands to get the game in.

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Friday morning coffee talks with the Deuce

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Royal Ralley on Friday NIGHT!

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Royal Rally from my early days when it was at night and you had to get here early to get a seat!

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Coming in with such an incredible group of teachers all in the same department!! #senioryear

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Senior walk into school on the first year Fall 2004.

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Black History Month Talent Show!!

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My favorite memory of PHS was when I was coaching varsity flags and we won our first state championship

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Boys Basketball State 2024

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Pep Squad performing at the rallies!

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Coaching a 2x state champ at the IHSA state swim meet.

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State finals basketball! 🏀

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The very first Lunchapalooza for Palatine’s PROMISE, seeing ALL of our students represented and shining!

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Listening to Mr Filian’s jokes every morning.

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Watching Mama Mia !

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Winning Dancing with the Pirates after doing a hip hop routine with 2 of my former freshmen STRIDE students!

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Sharing an office with Morris!😜

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The old Royal Rally(s) on Thursday night(s) with the entire community! I came every year as a kid and LOVED it!

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SPED holiday party 2 days after I started. It was so special and welcoming! The kids were amazing and the staff was wonderful.

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Student teaching here with the English Department! ❤️🏴‍☠️

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Too hard to pick one. I love my job!

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My favorite memory was playing in a semi finals football game my junior year after a massive snowstorm. The whole community came together to shovel the field so we could play on time. We needed up losing, but that moment felt larger than anything else.

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Boys volleyball taking 4th in state

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911 Flag that was created by Fran LeBau / staff and students

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2020 ELS Prom in the east gym!

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home football games

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decorating golf carts for the golf cart parade each year!

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Royal Rally at night in the early 2000s. I’m SO EXCITED it’s coming back this year! Great idea to celebrate 150 years!🎉