2024 Annual Family Update

Hello,

Thank you for checking in on all things Kanak.  Here it goes...

Mary

As with many of our winters, the start of 2024 was filled with bowling tournaments and scholastic bowl for Mary. She was among the leaders her bowling team with an average of 172, which is pretty impressive given the fact that she threw a straight ball and averaged under 130 during her first season of competitive bowling in 2021-2022. In addition to a solid average, Mary's contributions went a long way toward helping the Herscher Varsity Girls' Bowling team secure a second-place finish at Regionals and advance to IHSA Sectionals as a team for the first time in program history. Mary had qualified for Sectionals as an individual during her first two seasons, but helping the team advance was extra special. The ride ended at Sectionals for the Tigers, including Mary, who threw the final shots of her high school bowling career. Although she fell short of advancing to the IHSA State Tournament, Mary left an impressive mark on the HHS Bowling record book.

Throughout her senior year, she also served as the school newspaper's editor.

She served as captain of her scholastic bowl team, leading her team in answered questions. In addition to keeping up with her rigorous high school schedule, she was also applying for scholarships and college admissions. Though we had some disappointments along the way, she held her head up high.

Scholastic Bowl Senior Night Scooby Doo Theme

In February, she was crowned the 2024 HHS Winterball Queen.

As spring came around, her life got even busier as her final year of high school softball began. To say that Mary had a good season is an understatement. Picking up where she left off during the previous travel softball season, Mary became a force to be reckoned with as a small-ball artist, defensive standout, and base-stealing machine. In 37 games for HHS, she racked up 60 hits, 47 runs scored, and 33 stolen bases. Those 60 hits contributed to a final batting average of .545 and an on-base percentage of .595. What's more amazing about those numbers is that they actually should've been higher as, unfortunately, Mary had at least 8-10 hits taken away on bad calls on close plays at first. To be clear, this is NOT the opinion of an overly enthusiastic father; thanks to the conveniences of livestreaming, there is video evidence that would've definitively shown that she beat out the aforementioned plays. Sadly, high school softball doesn't allow replay challenges, and umpires get more than a bit surly when you offer to show them the replay on the calls they got wrong. As such, we just had to bite our tongues (instead of theirs) and accept the bad calls; nevertheless, Mary's numbers were still stout enough to earn her First Team All-State honors for IHSA Class 2A (to go along with First Team All-Area and All-Conference accolades). Obviously, in such a successful season, there were many standout moments; however, one of the best came during the Regional Semifinals against Hoopeston. Mary's second at-bat was a work of art as she alternated between bunt attempts and full swings and had the Cornjerkers' third baseman moving forward and back like she was on a string. Then, after working the count full, Mary turned on an inside pitch and launched a solo home run over the right-field fence to provide the Tigers with a much-needed insurance run. Mary finished the game 3 for 4 with two RBIs, three runs scored, and three stolen bases, all of which helped Herscher to a 6-4 victory and a berth in the Regional Championship. They would go on to capture that title for the second year in a row (thanks to a 6-2 win over Bismarck-Henning) before falling to eventual state runner-up Beecher in a hard-fought 6-3 contest in the Sectional Semifinals; nevertheless, Mary's senior season was truly something special and a fitting end to one heck of an HHS softball career. 

After receiving an acceptance to Cornell, we took a trip to New York to visit the campus. A few days later, Mary made it official by accepting their offer.  

There were other spring highlights. Mary was on prom court, graduated top of her class delivering a beautiful valedictorian speech, and finished her commitment to the high school band by participating in spring concerts and competitions.

Mary's summer was spent working at White Castle saving as much as she could for college, playing travel softball with the Rockers organization, and preparing for her college life. We took a wonderful family trip to Florida with her softball team, where we spent our downtime playing Apples to Apples with our family + Ella, Grandma & Papa.

As summer ended, I knew the day was coming. We would need to take Mary to Cornell to begin her college experience. While I could write an entire book about the heartache of dropping off your child at college--regardless of the distance--I will just acknowledge that the void created by her absence is tempered only by the extreme pride I feel.

Dropping Mary off at her dorm. August 19, 2024

Mary has approached college life as she approaches most things: with equal parts caution and humility. She quickly learned that her major (chemical engineering) has a reputation on campus as being the hardest. She admits the work is challenging, but also tells us awesome stories about the experiences she is having.

Even though the softball coach told Mary that she traditionally doesn't accept Chem-E majors due to the demand of the coursework, she found a great compromise. She is playing on the Cornell Club Softball team. While I was well versed in intermural, I had no idea what college club sports were. If you are ignorant to the concept as I was, college club sports are are student-organized athletic teams that provide an opportunity for students to participate in competitive sports without the demands of varsity athletics. They are a step above recreational or intramural sports in terms of competition and commitment but less rigorous than NCAA or varsity programs. Her team had HUGE success, going 12-0.

 

a pic of Mary the team used on their Insta page

Watching Mary grow up is one of the great joys of my life. Gene often jokes that Mary is "one lab accident away from being a super villain." Who knows where life will lead her, but it's one hell of a show.

Geno aka Euge

This kid. After receiving a full scholarship last fall to the Chicago Academy for the Arts, his life has been drastically different. His days start before 6 am, and he often doesn't return home until after 9 pm--going from one activity to the next: school, after school dance rehearsal, working out at the gym, baseball practice. His schedule is insane! He even has to report to school on Saturdays for dance repertoire. Needless to say, we spent the beginning portions of 2024 troubleshooting how to get Geno to where he needed to be.

It truly took a village with a lot of help from my parents and my dear friend Deena Cassady, who drops Geno off at the Homewood train station every morning on her way to work--saving us nearly 7 hours driving time per week. Even my sister, who lives in Joliet, has helped out a few times. Everyone is so proud of Geno and is willing to help when they can to ensure he gets where he needs to be.

Despite the adjustment period, Geno's grades were stellar. He was even moved to the more advanced math class mid-year. The kids is sharp as hell. He kicks my ass at Banana Grams all the time. His vocabulary makes him sound like a middle-aged man, and he's worldly as all get-out. I have witnessed him carry on conversations with Gene about politics and current events that I had to Google afterwards to know what the heck they were talking about. And I dare you to test his memory. Go ahead. I dare you. The kid forgets nothing: song lyrics, movie lines, what was said at a random diner in 2017.

And yes, he's still our dancing fool. Here is a picture from the spring 2024 recital. He's so fun to watch!

He has become equally entertaining, and skilled, on the baseball diamond. I've said many times that for as proud as we are of Mary and all that she's accomplished on the lanes and on the diamond, we're as much or more proud of Geno's development as a baseball player. It's not because being good at baseball is that big a deal in the grand scheme of life; it's because of the tenacity and grit that he's shown throughout his career. Baseball didn't come easy to Geno in the early days, so much so that many young men his age would've called it quits and focused their time and energy elsewhere instead of facing the failure and frustration. Not Geno; instead, he stuck with it, and he's turned into a very solid player. He began the 2024 season batting low in the lineup for the Lincoln-Way Blue Demons and getting to pitch an inning here and an inning there. By the end of the season, he was batting near the top of the order - and justifiably so as he recorded one of the highest batting averages on the team. Also, he became one of the team's best pitchers. He was particularly effective during a tournament held on the campus of Wheaton St. Francis High School, where he kept the opposing team guessing to the tune of six strikeouts in just three innings of work. Sadly, the Blue Demons' defense struggled a bit, which led to more runs crossing the plate than would've otherwise been the case; nevertheless, Geno did his job, supported his teammates, and kept his head held high as he always does. Once the travel season ended, Geno hit the tryout circuit to find a team for 2024-2025, and he landed a position with 16U Xposure, which is definitely the highest level team he's ever been selected to play for. He's already excited for what lies in store, and justifiably so as it shows yet again that his hard work, dedication, and good attitude will open many doors, not just in baseball but in all walks of life.

One marked change in Geno (other than his hair doubling in length throughout the year and growing about 6 inches), is his commitment to physical fitness. He eats better, works out, and genuinely cares about his overall physical well being. This kid is impressive.

After a hectic freshman year, he was happy to enjoy a more subdued schedule during the summer. He didn't sit around though. He spent many hours working at my parent's place, helping my dad with various chores: watering trees, spreading mulch, etc. Tom Schafer, Inc. paid him handsomely for his work, allowing him to save up some money for future endeavors. In addition, he started Driver's Ed at Top Driver in Bourbonnais, where he continues to go every Sunday from 1-3 because Geno needed 1 more thing on his schedule.

He attended three summer dance camps to keep his skills sharp. Here he is at the end of camp showcase for the Giordano Dance in Chicago.

Geno is now nearing the completion of his first semester as a sophomore at the Academy, where he especially enjoys his Spanish and history classes, not so much algebra. Gene can't wait for him to get his license, so he can quit his part time job as Geno's personal valet service. But to paraphrase Tracie Adkins, I am sure we're "gonna miss this."


PSA: If you have growing children, don't subject yourself to this song as it's only purpose is to make you sad. I would also steer clear from "Next Thing You Know" by Jordan Davis and "I Loved Her First" by Heartland as these songs are designed to torture parents and should be avoided.

Geno all dressed up for his school's prom

Johnathan and Geno ready for HHS HOCO--Geno attended as a guest.

If you have ever spent any time with Geno, you know he has a strong moral compass which is hard for his brain to ignore. He struggles with how some choose to treat others, and truly doesn't seem to understand unkind actions/people. His sense of justice makes navigating the adolescent landscape difficult at times. He detests bullies and has no time for dealing with rude people. He chooses his friends carefully, so if you've made the cut, consider yourself a decent human being.


In a less serious note, Geno is charming and funny. He loves writing his own cheesy jokes and springing them on me when I least expect it. Very few people can get me to belly laugh like Geno. To top off the list, he is one of the best listeners I have ever met. If you don't like Geno, there's seriously something wrong with you.

Angie

For the last 18 months, I have been working for the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts as a training specialist for the Recordkeeping and Technology Unit.  And while there are times I miss the teacher schedule, working from home is really nice.  I also work with an amazing, talented team who make me laugh and learn on a daily basis. 

Because I have a healthier work-life balance, I have been able to grow my photography business.  While I can't keep up this two-career pace forever, I just need to get the kiddos through college--then I will slow down. Plus, I love my clients.  Getting to watch their families grow and capturing their milestones brings me a lot of joy. 

Gene

As I write this, I'm roughly two and a half years into my second stint as a member of the Public Relations and Publications Department of the United States Bowling Congress. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm VERY fortunate that I don't just get to write, but I get to write about a sport I'm extremely passionate about. I have to pinch myself sometimes as I stand just a few feet away from the best bowlers on the planet as they win major championships and gold medals. The only thing that would be better is if I were skilled enough to capture said victories myself. That isn't the case, but that's more than okay. Now that my right shoulder is finally healed up (after surgery No. 2), I get to bowl league and the occasional tournament again. I may not be world class, but I do okay for an average Joe, and I have a lot of fun doing it. When I'm not bowling or working, I'm either working out or shuttling Geno somewhere around the Greater Chicagoland Area. To say that I'll be happy once that boy has his license and can chauffeur himself around is an understatement! 

That being said, it's hard to believe how much time flies. It's surreal to think that now that Mary has started college, it's likely that she'll never truly live with us the way she has up to this point; likewise, Geno is now nearly halfway through high school, which means that he, too, will be transitioning into his adult life sooner rather than later. That fact fills me with such a mixture of emotions. Obviously, on one hand I couldn't be prouder of Mary or Geno, and I'm so excited to see the amazing things they'll do during their adult lives; on the other hand, it's devastating to have to let them go do those things on their own and simply watch from afar instead of from a front-row seat as I have up to this point. That's the way life works though, right? You want your kids to get to go where they want to go and have the experiences they've dreamed of. That means having to let them go even as your heart breaks; nevertheless, I'm hoping the relationships that we've forged so far will be strong enough that they'll want to keep Angie and I around even when they don't have to. I guess we'll see : ) 

2023 Annual Kanak Update

 Welcome, reader, to the Kanak Annual Family Update!

As with any family with involved kids, it's been busy, but we feel lucky to have such amazing children.  And starting with the youngest...

Geno

As many of you already know, Geno received a full-ride scholarship to attend the Chicago Academy For the Arts. We were not looking for this opportunity as we are very happy with the Herscher School District and have profoundly supported them since our kids were in kindergarten. We would have been proud for Geno to be a Tiger; however, when opportunity knocks, I think we owe it an answer.

It went down like this:

This past summer, on a recommendation from a friend, I signed Geno up for a dance camp at the Academy. After Day 3 of a nine-day camp, the dance instructor came up to me and asked if Geno would be interested in attending the Academy. We were flattered, but the price tag and the distance made it far from a possibility. The dance instructor simply asked, "If it were affordable, could you get him here every day?" I expressed all types of concerns such as all the application deadlines we missed, the entrance exams he hadn't taken, and the rigorous audition process that occurred months prior. He smiled and said, "Let me make a few phone calls."

Little did we know that those phone calls changed Geno's life. Generous donors from an endowment called The Young Men's Dance Initiative offered to pay his full tuition.  The school accepted his work at the camp as his audition, and the very kind Academy staff walked me through the remaining paperwork. 

Geno has had to grow up a lot taking on this new adventure.  He has had to learn the Metra system and manage his own time under a block schedule.  Luckily, our good friend, Deena Cassady, drops him off at the Flossmoor station everyday on her way to work, saving us tons of driving.  We can't thank her enough!  

As you might expect, this was a bittersweet decision. Geno misses his Herscher friends, and he was disappointed about not attending school with Mary--their one and only year they would be in the same school.  They were looking forward to being on scholastic bowl together and seeing each other in the halls.  He was also bummed about not being able to participate in high school baseball, as the academy doesn't have sports. In addition, he misses his friend and teachers at the Paula Aubry Dance Studio.  Right now, we are taking it one day at a time, and I told Geno that Herscher will be there in the event he wants a more traditional high school experience, but as of right now, he seems really happy with his choice.

Luckily, we were able to find a travel baseball league, so he can scratch that itch.  He's also been able to carve out time for his girlfriend, Cassie, who happens to be one of the sweetest young ladies you could ever meet. 

Though Geno has my face, his sense of humor is totally 100% Kanak, and I find myself picturing what Gene must have been like at that age.  He does amazing impressions (including several family members), and knows exactly when to drop in a funny movie line to lighten a mood.  He loves music, and of course, this kid dances everywhere he goes.  From the kitchen to the basement, taking out the garbage, you name it, he can dance it. 

I know a lot of parents say this about their kids, but Geno is just a really nice kid.  Though he admits he needs to be more patient at times, generally speaking, Geno has a sense of justice about the world that guides his moral compass, and he's not afraid to say controversial things if it means sticking up for a "little guy."

I have often said that it must be hard being Mary's little brother.  As you will soon read, Mary excels in many things; she has cast a large shadow, which could intimidate most.  However, Geno is not one to hide in the dark, and despite every obstacle, he's creating his own spotlight. 

Mary

                                     

What's NOT going on with Mary?  She's busy applying to colleges and scholarships all while taking a rigorous course schedule and participating in a variety of extra curriculars. As a bowler, Mary rolled the first 300 game in Herscher High School program history and advanced to IHSA Sectionals for the second year in a row in 2023, and on the softball field, she enjoyed two more excellent seasons, one for the regional champion Herscher Tigers and the other for Tinley Park Rockers 18U. 

She has had college coaches express interest in her talents in both sports; however, Mary is holding off on any decisions regarding intercollegiate athletics until she knows where she'll be studying. She is eyeing some of the most elite institutions and programs in the world, but she has the credentials, so why not? It remains to be seen where she'll attend classes next fall, but one thing that's certain is that any institution that gets to count Mary as a member of its student body will be damn lucky to have her!

Mary took on a huge leadership role with her school's homecoming this year, taking center stage at assemblies and daily announcements.  Many people mistake Mary for being shy; however, she can step up and do what is needed to get a job done.  

In fact, she was recently commended at her job at White Castle in Bourbonnais for her excellent customer service skills.

On a side note, I just have to tell you all how impressed I continue to be with Mary.  She has earned all 5s on her AP exams, took summer classes so she fit Calculus into her school schedule, and loves to speak Spanish.  While I know she is impressive in many ways, she's also funny, kind, and one of the most dedicated and complicated humans I know.  Thinking of her going away to college this fall is incomprehensible to me.  She is such an integral part of my very existence that I don't know how my heart is going to handle this change.  

Mary has managed to keep a close circle of friends since grade school, many of whom are pictured below, along with a picture from prom with her boyfriend Johnathan--a delightful, smart young man. Also, pictured is her BFF, Rae, who has been a fixture in our lives since their first day of kindergarten--their friendship is rare, genuine, and inspiring. 

I just can't get over how lucky I am to know Mary.  If you know her, you understand..."There's just something about Mary."

Gene

I am currently in the midst of Year 2 as a communications manager for the United States Bowling Congress. During my tenure, I've traveled to exotic locations like Queensland, Australia, and Santiago, Chile, to cover Team USA bowlers and their quest for gold medals. I was also fortunate enough to be up close and personal as young men and women captured collegiate national titles and bowlers on the PBA and PWBA Tours won titles and captured their first majors. It's VERY difficult being on the road and away from my family - during one stretch this summer, I was gone 58 days out of 71 - but I'm genuinely proud to have the opportunity to do what I do, which is to tell the stories of amazing bowlers, young and old, from all over the world. The only thing that could top this would be if I were good enough to be a world-class bowler myself. Sadly, at age 44 and on the eve of undergoing shoulder reconstruction No. 2, that seems unlikely. As such, I'll have to be content watching and writing about the achievements of others. However, nothing beats the joy and pride I get from watching the achievements of my incredible wife and my two amazing children. They all astound me on a daily basis, and I wake up each day anxious to see what they'll do next. Rest assured, whatever it is, you can count on reading about it in next year's blog...if not sooner. Until then, love and best wishes to all!

Angie

After 20 years of teaching, I decided to leave the education field.  I am currently working for the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts in the Record Keeping and Technology Unit as a training specialist.  It has been a major adjustment, but I am learning a ton, and I don't miss the stress of the classroom.  I feel more relaxed and have a ton more energy, so it looks like it was a good switch for me, for now. I am still operating my photography business, which keeps me pretty busy.  Just recently, one of my photos was published in a magazine, an exciting achievement for me. 

Well, that's it for 2023.  We hope you and yours are well.  

The Kanaks

2022 Update

Greetings,

Thank you for checking in on all-things-Kanak.  We've had a really special year, and I am excited to share the highlights with you.

Geno

Man, this kid is special: spelling bee champ, scholastic bowl whiz kid, Paula Aubry Kompany dancer, the list goes on.  One very special memory from this year is Geno's school baseball team making it to State!  Geno mostly played first base during the school season. Though they lost a one-run heartbreaker during the State quarterfinals, it was the furthest any team at Limestone Middle School had ever gone.  Even my high school kids asked about the team nearly every day.  In addition to Geno's overall success, we are much prouder of the fact that he's just a really nice kid.  He's fun to be around, and I can always count on him for a cheesy joke.  Though he looks like me, he acts and speaks just like his dad, and I couldn't be prouder.

Mary

Mary continues to wow us.  She's a wonderful student, a great athlete, and an all around open-minded, loving person.  Like her dad, anything Mary tries, she seems to pick up on.  Even though she just decided to try bowling last year, she's already averaging around 160 and improving each week. Mary may be quiet and subtle, but her personality is so unique and introspective.  Much to Mary's surprise, she was chosen by her peers to be on Homecoming court.  Even though this type of thing is WAY outside Mary's comfort zone, she handled the experience well--and I even think she may have had a bit of fun with it.  This past summer, Mary got her driver's license, which has been a huge help getting her to her many activities.  She even runs her brother places when Gene and I are busy. Even though they won't admit it, I think they actually enjoy hopping in the car and going for rides together. 

   

Big Geno

As many of you know, after twelve years, Gene was finally able to escape the classroom. After spending more than a year working as the instructional editor for Bowlers Journal International magazine, he was offered a job as a communications manager for USBC. The good news is that this time the job didn't involve relocation down to Texas; instead, he now works from home when he isn't hopping on planes to cover events for Team USA, the PBA Tour, and the PWBA Tour. His first official assignment had him working in Las Vegas for three weeks this past summer, and he spent nearly the same amount of time in Queensland, Australia, in November covering the 2022 International Bowling Federation World Cup. Although he hates being away from me and the kids, he's extremely proud of having earned the opportunity to travel the country and world covering the best bowlers on the planet. This is the happiest he's been at work in a very long time, and we're all very happy for him.  

Me

Though it took me 14 years, I am back teaching at my home school, Herscher High School.  This is my second year there (really my 7th), and it feels like I never left.  I keep myself very busy on the weekends running my photography business and attending my children's MANY activities.  I was so happy to be able to free up my schedule and take a quick road trip to Montana for my brother's wedding in September.  It was a short, but really great, trip, and I am so thankful to Jenn and Jason for giving me the opportunity to celebrate with them.  Now that Gene is traveling more, I am so grateful that Mary has her driver's license.  Gene and I celebrated our 20-year wedding anniversary this year.  I know I hear people say this a lot, but I just feel so lucky.  

Kanak Family 2021: Oh, what a difference a year makes!

As is typically the case, many changes have taken place since last we blogged. Don't get me wrong; we're still the same incredibly good-looking, intelligent, and amazing people we've always been. Still, some interesting new developments have emerged. So, without further adieu, let's get to it:

Mary - This girl gets more and more amazing by the day, so you can imagine how much has changed since last year. Currently, Mary is a sophomore at Herscher High School. She's No. 1 in her class and has maintained straight A's despite loading up with every honors-level course that she can fit into her schedule. Despite her dedication to academics, she stays plenty busy outside of the classroom as well, participating in marching band (center snare), scholastic bowl, art club, math team, GSA, bowling, and varsity softball. She was named all-area as a freshman on varsity last season for school softball, and she is a starting outfielder on her Illinois Stars travel team, a group that was ranked in the Top 50 in the nation for their age group last year. That distinction gave Mary and her teammates the opportunity to play in elite-level tournaments in Kansas City, MO; Huntington Beach, CA; and Palm Beach, FL to name a few destinations. But despite all of this, Mary has remained the same sweet, caring, and open-minded young lady she's always been. Don't get me wrong; she's still a teenager, so she still has her salty side. Nevertheless, on the whole, she is an amazing young woman, and we couldn't be prouder!

Geno - Ah, the boy. Not to be outdone by his big sister, Geno continues to rock it in his own special way as well. Geno is now in 7th grade at Limestone Middle School. He transferred back into the Herscher district midway through last school year during a teacher's strike for the Bourbonnais schools. Geno is still so incredibly easy going that he didn't mind making the switch nearly three quarters of the way through a school year. That go-with-the-flow demeanor is one of the many qualities that make Geno so special. He is doing very well in school despite needing the occasional reminder to slow down and pay a bit more attention to detail. Still, he's smart as a whip and can hold his own in many a conversation that should be well beyond his years. Additionally, he has a worldly, inclusive mindset that makes Angie and me very proud. He cares about ALL people, not just those who look and think as he does. Knowing that there are young men like Geno out there gives us hope for the future. Geno spends most of his time dancing as one of Paula Aubrey School of Dance's most-accomplished young dancers. He is now in Junior Kompany, the studio's elite, audition-only dance troupe for middle-school-aged dancers. He has classes four nights a week, and he takes private lessons on Sundays. When not dancing, he is still involved in both school baseball and travel baseball. Geno really seemed to turn a corner during his last travel season, and his improved play carried over to the middle school season as well. It would have been so easy for Geno to walk away from the game due to the limited success he experience early on; nevertheless, he stuck with it, and he seems to be getting better every time out. If he applies that never-give-up attitude to everything he does, he's going to be a force to be reckoned with no matter where he goes and what he does in his life!

Angie - If you want to see what a solid work ethic looks like, look no further than my wife. Angie is still one of the best high school ELA teachers you're every going to find, and the students at Herscher High School are lucky to have her. That's right; after all of these years, she's finally back at the school where her teaching career began. But why stick with just one career when you can rock two simultaneously? Yep, in addition to teaching, Angie puts in an incredible amount of hours running Angie Kanak Photography. She  started out as a bright young woman with a decent camera and a love of taking pictures, but now she is a seasoned photography professional capable of covering weddings, engagements, family sessions and more. I would put her work up against that of any photographer out there, and it seems her clients agree as her services are highly sought after, which keeps her days full and her time booked months in advance. Honestly, I'm not sure I've never known anyone more dedicated to what they do. She is a shining example of what you can accomplish if you're willing to put in the time and effort to master your craft. The kids and I are super proud of all that she's done and all that she will do in the future.

Gene - Hmm...what to say about myself? Well, I'm another year older, a little bit grayer, and a few pounds heavier. Make no mistake though: I'm still drop-dead gorgeous, and my mind still functions at a better-than-average level as well. Seriously though, I, too, changed schools...again. Don't get the wrong idea though. The reason for this change was the opportunity to return to Central High School in Clifton. In case you'd forgotten, I taught at Central from 2014-2018 before leaving to pursue an opening at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School. Those who know me well know that I regretted making the move, so I'm VERY happy to be back home at Central. When I'm not teaching, I still enjoy working out and bowling. That's really about all that I have time for in terms of recreation due to the immense time commitment required to get Mary and Geno to their respective activities. I sometimes joke that I'm more of an Uber driver than anything else these days, but getting to see my kids do the things that they love makes it all worthwhile. 

The last items of note since last year are as follows: In February 2021, we bought a new house in Kankakee. We are super excited about it as it has ample space for entertaining, especially when the weather is nice. As such, be on the lookout for future party invites (COVID-permitting) lol. If you make it, you'll see that our current menagerie includes one dog (Ziggy) and three cats (McLovin, Goliath, and Garfunkle). They are a handful, but they're all very well-mannered and friendly. If you come by, you're sure to leave with some of their hair on your clothes so that you can think of them fondly even after you've left!

With that, we'll bring this year's entry to a close. If you've made it to the end, kudos to you for your tenacity as, clearly, I am NOT lost for words. Best wishes to you and yours for a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season. We hope that you are well and that we'll be lucky enough to see you soon.

Warmest regards,

The Kanaks

 

2020 Update

 Let's face it: 2020 has been a pretty sucktacular year. Thousands of people have lost friends and loved ones, most of us have had to do without celebrating birthdays, holidays, and other special events with those closest to us, and just about everyone has missed out on plans, activities, and opportunities that were looked forward to and highly anticipated. Basically, this year has been the equivalent of a Chuck Norris punch to the junk. Still, even in the midst of this dumpster fire of a year, there are always things to be thankful for, and the yearly Kanak Christmas Blog certainly should be at or near the top of your list. With that in mind, here is this year's edition:

Gene: I typically save my portion for last, but what's life without whimsy? As such, I'm saving the best for first this time around. You may remember that last year's blog announced that, at long last, I would be leaving the teaching profession to take a job with Storm Bowling Products out in Utah. Well, remember what I said about everyone losing something due to the pandemic? Well, you guessed it: that job is off the table at this point. Don't worry though; they still let me do lots of free writing work for them out of the kindness of my heart! In all seriousness though, I actually enjoy helping out their marketing team when I can. Several promotional pieces of mine are published all over the world now, particularly in the Asian market (super cool!). Closer to home I've taken a job at Iroquois West High School, a small school down in Gilman, Illinois. Teaching during COVID has been unique to say the least, but it's actually going well for me, and I'm happier in teaching than I've been since I chose to leave Central a few years back. Part of me is still disappointed at having lost out on the job with Storm due to all of this, but the silver lining is that it has allowed me to still stay here in Illinois close to the friends and family that I love the most. As such, I really can't complain. Well, I can't other than the fact that teaching actually caused me to get COVID about a month ago. Thankfully though, I came through it without too much difficulty! In any event, as Christmas approaches, I'm healthy, happy, and more contented than I've been in a while.

Angie: What is there to say about this rock star? As she always has, Angie is kicking butt and taking names both inside and outside of the classroom. She has become one of the most-liked and well-respected teachers at Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center, which is no surprise as you'd be hard-pressed to find a better teacher anywhere in the world. When she's not helping to mold the minds of America's youth, she's managing her own highly successful small business, Golden Fish Pics by Angie Kanak. She is an amazing photographer with a great reputation, which is why the rest of the family seldom sees her during the warmer months as she's constantly out shooting family sessions, senior pictures, themed events, weddings, and more. Although we'd love for her to have more free time, we're all very proud of her for turning her talent and passion into a thriving business. It just proves, yet again, that there is nothing that she can't do if she puts her mind to it.

Geno: Ah, the boy one. In many ways, he's still the same. He's still very sweet, very bright, and very emotional. Geno has always worn his emotions on his sleeve, which is a quality that can cut both ways. As is the case with most 11-year olds, there are times when his passion manifests itself in ways that he comes to regret after the fact. Still, his emotional nature is also what gives him such a big heart and so much love to share with the ones that he loves, and we wouldn't change that for the world. Once the move to Utah was postponed indefinitely, he made the decision to spend his 6th-grade year at Liberty Intermediate School in Bourbonnais. Per the usual, his grades are very good, and his teachers have nothing but nice things to say about him. Outside of school, he's preparing for his second season of travel baseball, this one with RBI Sports out of Morris. Of course, he's still dancing as well. He's taking classes at Paula Aubrey School of Dance in Bradley like he always has, but he's also taking private lessons on the side from an instructor who said that "Geno has an IT factor that you just don't see in a lot of dancers, something that could really allow him to go far in the world of dance." The skill and confidence that Geno displays while dancing is truly something special. I'm not sure that he truly understands how much courage is required to take the stage and be front and center in an auditorium filled with more than a thousand people. That would be enough to make many adults cower in fear. Not Geno. When that music comes on, his personality comes to life, and he does his thing, usually in a way that brings the crowd to its feet. Simply put: if you haven't seen him on stage, you're really missing out as he always delivers a memorable performance!

Mary: I almost can't believe that I'm writing this, but Mary is now nearly halfway done with her freshman year at Herscher High School. As has always been the case, she is keeping extremely busy. She is involved in marching band, scholastic bowl, and art club, and she'll be on the softball team as well. As you probably already guessed, most of these activities have had to be scaled back due to the pandemic. However, that doesn't mean that these groups aren't meeting, rehearsing, and practicing as much as is safely allowed. Her grades are still stellar, which is no surprise as she is still highly motivated to maintain her straight A average. In addition to school activities, Mary is still playing travel softball. However, she is no longer with the River Valley Rage organization. This summer, a local coach approached our family with an offer to have Mary join his elite-level team with the Illinois Stars. It was very difficult for Mary to leave her Rage teammates and coaches, but she knew that the opportunity was too good to pass up. The decision has proven to be good one as Mary immediately adjusted to the higher level of play, shining both at-bat and in the field. As much as we miss all of the amazing people with Rage, we are super excited to see where Mary and this amazing Illinois Stars team can go this summer. They already have their sights set on the Premier Girls' Fastpitch National Tournament in California, and based upon how they played and who they beat this Fall, there is no reason to think that this group can't compete for a national championship; they are that good. Honestly, these days, there are few things in the world that I enjoy more than watching Mary play softball. She's a very talented player and an amazing young woman with limitless potential. Like her mom, I honestly don't think that there is anything that she can't accomplish if she puts her mind to it!

                                                                            

         

Mary & Professor