Q: Tell us about yourself and your experience growing up in Schaumburg.

A: My parents chose to settle in Schaumburg when I was a baby for the educational opportunities, which are hard to top. Growing up, I was able to meet people from all different walks of life. I love the diversity in Schaumburg, and it’s clear other residents enjoy and take care of their community. As a young adult, I value the variety of shopping and entertainment available while also getting a small, hometown feel.

I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. while teaching Astronomy at Indiana University. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics from the University of Chicago and have performed post-baccalaureate research at Northwestern University. I also recently participated in NASA’s Exoplanet Explorers (ExoExplorers) Program studying the architectures of multi-planet systems.

Q: What was your experience with NASA’s ExoExplorers Program?

A: While studying at Indiana University, the head of my department encouraged me to apply to the NASA ExoExplorers program, which is a collection of researchers dedicated to boosting the visibility of young exoplanet scientists and discussing ways to promote diversity in the fields of Astronomy and Physics. In my studies, I compare trends between different exoplanet systems, which could potentially answer the question of how planets form around our Sun and other stars.

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: I enjoy trying new restaurants and food spots around town and going for runs at Busse Woods or other forest preserves. I also love attending Septemberfest and the various productions at the Prairie Center for the Arts. 

Q: What are your future goals? 

A: In the next few years I will continue to pursue my Ph.D. in Astronomy at Indiana University. My ultimate goal is to teach astronomy or physics full-time in the Schaumburg area – whether that’s at a high school, community college, or university. 

Q: What made you want to choose a career in education?

A: In the past, I’ve tutored elementary students in math at our local temple and underprivileged high school students in Chicago. I like to use my recent experiences in school to explain to students why these subjects are useful and why they should care. In high school, I was resistant to math and physics, but my teachers encouraged me to pursue this path. I believe if I had grown up elsewhere or had different teachers, my life would look vastly different. My teachers shaped who I am today and have been a huge influence in both my education and my career goals. 

Q: Tell us about yourself. 

A: I will be a senior at Hoffman Estates High School this fall and have lived in Schaumburg since I was in elementary school. I speak Spanish fluently and was taught by my parents at home. When it came time for me to go to school, I was enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. I also started taking Spanish classes in middle school to further advance my language skills. I love speaking Spanish because it makes me feel more connected to my Hispanic community and my identity as a Latina woman. I also regularly communicate in Spanish with my family in Mexico. My parents are from the town of Tilzapotla and the city of Cuernavaca, both located in the Mexican state of Morelos.   

This year, I was eligible to participate in the Spanish exchange program. In December, I started communicating with a Spanish exchange student, Gabriel, and hosted him in my family’s home for two weeks. It was eye-opening to experience cultures and customs other than my own. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to go to Spain, be hosted by an exchange family, and visit Barcelona and Madrid.  

Q: How do you give back to the community? 

A: Over the last several years, I have signed up for many volunteer opportunities in the community, including visiting young children in hospitals and seniors in retirement homes. During the last school year, I accumulated approximately 100 hours of community service hours alone. Some places I volunteer include the Schaumburg Township District Library, Feed My Starving Children, Hoffman Estates High School events and clubs, Woodfield Area Children's Organization and the Special Olympics. Earlier this year, I helped one of my school clubs make “Hawk Kits” for the homeless in Chicago. Hygiene products (shampoo, pads, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, etc.) are placed in a bag branded with our school mascot, the hawk. There are many volunteer opportunities for teens like me to participate in the Schaumburg community.  

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? 

A: In my free time, I love to volunteer, watch movies, visit boba tea places, go to Chicago with my friends, and study at the library. I also enjoy my quiet neighborhood and the convenience of having many amenities nearby.   

Q: What are your plans after high school? 

A: I hope to attend the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), where I plan to study to become an immigration lawyer. I would love the opportunity to intern at a local immigration law office this summer so I can obtain valuable insight into the career path. 

Q: Tell us about your background and how you came to reside in Schaumburg.

A: I was born in Poland and immigrated to the Chicagoland area in 1990 to study English at the University of Chicago. I went on to earn my Bachelor of Science degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago and my Master of Science from DePaul in Chicago. Soon after, I met my wife and started our family in the suburbs. We then moved to Schaumburg in 2009 and chose the village as our hometown because of the vibrant diversity of cultures we experience daily. My family also speaks Polish fluently, so we stay connected to our heritage by supporting local Polish businesses and attending important cultural events.

Schaumburg has a great variety of restaurants and shopping opportunities as well as many family-friendly amenities such as the public library, park district and Spring Valley Nature Center. The village also provides many entertainment opportunities and programs for residents, which we utilize regularly. 

Q: How do you give back to the community? 

A: I am a member of the village’s Committee on Aging and Environmental Committee, and I have served several times as an Election Judge/Polling Place Technician for the Cook County Board of Elections. I also graduated from the Schaumburg Citizen Police Academy.

I enjoy staying active in the community and assisting with local events and programs. My daughter Arianna, a Conant High School student, regularly joins me in volunteer opportunities. She is also involved in a variety of school activities, including student council and lacrosse. We both enjoy helping out at The Barn Senior Center and the annual Environmental Fair.

In my professional life, I work in the information technology field for the software company Sapiens. I am lucky to work for a company that values volunteerism and encourages its employees to give back to their local communities.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: My main hobby is beekeeping. I keep my bees in a wooded area of southern Michigan. Whenever possible, I travel to Michigan to tend to my bees on weekends. I also take care of the surrounding forest and a nice garden of plants that my bees love. In addition, I like woodworking, biking, kayaking, hiking, metalsmith work and various craft activities.