Rosary graduate balances roles of student, teacher

NORTH AURORA – Rosary High School graduate Isabelle Ylo has been balancing the roles of student and teacher.

The 17-year-old North Aurora resident has been a peer tutor throughout her time at Rosary High School, helping her fellow students understand chemistry and physics.

“It’s really rewarding,” Ylo said. “It’s exciting to see people grasp new concepts.”

Rosary’s High School graduation ceremony was set for Wednesday night at St. John Neumann Church in St. Charles. Ylo, who was the valedictorian for her class, plans to go to Northern Illinois University in the fall and major in chemistry.

She hopes to become a chemist.

“Chemistry is my favorite subject in school,” Ylo said.

Ylo, who is an honors student and an Illinois State Scholar, credited Rosary for creating a strong learning environment for students. Rosary is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield.

She was a member of Rosary’s Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team, which placed first this year in regional and sectional competition and fifth in state competition. At the state competition, Ylo placed first in chemistry and second in physics.

Ylo has balanced her school activities with other activities, including being a volunteer at the church she attends – New Covenant Bible Church in St. Charles – and volunteering her time at Messenger Public Library in North Aurora.

She is a strong believer in the value of volunteering, especially at her church.

“You need to be a steward of what you have,” Ylo said.