The Maine Township High School District 207 Board of Education honored three students in the area of extracurricular activities naming them “207’s Best” at a recent meeting. Maeve Przekota from Maine South was honored for her discipline, humility and empathy.
The following information was written about Maeve Przekota as a part of the nomination by Maine South principal Dr. Antwan Babakhani.
MAEVE PRZEKOTA, MAINE SOUTH
When I think about Maeve, I keep coming back to this idea that the most impressive part of her story is not just what she’s accomplished, but how she’s accomplished it. And trust me, the accomplishments are extraordinary. When I first saw her résumé, I actually had to pause for a second and think, how am I going to do this justice? We’re talking about a two time conference champion, three time sectional champion, an eleven time state qualifier across six different events, and a six time state medalist. That alone would define a remarkable high school career.
But then you sit down with Maeve, and what stands out immediately is that she does not lead with any of that. When I asked her about her proudest moment, she did not talk about her medals or her times. She talked about her teammates. She talked about the joy of watching others qualify for state, the excitement of seeing people reach goals they didn’t think were possible, and the collective focus of her team. That tells you everything you need to know about who she is.
Maeve is the kind of athlete who understands that greatness is not just built in the big moments, but in the quiet, daily commitment. The doubles practices, the early morning lifts, the extra work no one sees, and the mental toughness it takes to push through both physical fatigue and self doubt. She even reflected on missing a state cut by three hundredths of a second and what she learned from that experience. That level of reflection and growth is what separates good from truly exceptional.
What I admire most is her balance of humility and drive. She is fiercely competitive, yet deeply connected to her team. She pushes herself, yet lifts others. And she does all of this with a level of composure and perspective that is rare.
To help highlight Maeve’s accomplishments and demonstrate why she is deserving of 207’s Best in Extracurricular Athletics award, Coach Don Kura shares, “Maeve is an extremely dedicated and devoted student-athlete who consistently sets a positive example for her peers both in and out of the pool. She is a role model for how all student-athletes should learn to deal with adversity and persevere through challenges, in all areas – academics, athletics, and personally – during the course of their high school careers. Maeve is also a caring and empathetic teammate and classmate that always seeks to identify and bring out the best qualities in everyone around her. Maeve’s contributions to the Maine South Aquatics programs over the past four years have set a standard of excellence for both swimmers and water polo players to aspire to. She will continue her swimming career at Marist University next year, and I have no doubt she will find continued success in all that lies ahead.”
Bill Milano, her counselor, adds, “Maeve approaches every challenge with energy, confidence, and purpose. She demonstrates leadership, determination, and heart in everything she does, from the classroom to the pool deck. Her kindness, competitive drive, and commitment to excellence define her as both a student and teammate, and she consistently uplifts those around her. Maeve challenges herself academically through a rigorous schedule of AP and accelerated courses while maintaining an impressive GPA. She brings curiosity, insight, and discipline to her work, balancing high expectations with thoughtful engagement. As captain of both the Swim and Dive Team and Water Polo Team, Maeve leads with impact, helping guide her team to a sectional championship while earning numerous honors. I’m so happy to hear she was named 207’s Best—she truly deserves this recognition.”
Breanna Dangerfield, a Family & Consumer Science, states, “Maeve is truly an outstanding student who consistently goes above and beyond. She brings a positive attitude to everything she does and is someone both her peers and teachers can rely on. In the classroom, she is engaged, responsible, and always willing to step up, whether that means helping others, taking initiative, or handling challenges with maturity. What stands out most about Maeve is her ability to connect with others. In our preschool setting, she is patient, nurturing, and naturally supportive with the children. She demonstrates strong leadership skills while also showing genuine care and empathy. It is clear that she takes pride in her work and values being a positive role model.”
Maeve, you represent everything we hope for in our student athletes. You have left an indelible mark on Maine South, and I cannot wait to see what you accomplish next.
Congratulations, Maeve!