Secondary Education: MARK BEGOVICH, Maine West High School
(Singing)
“Who is this anyway? Is this his resume? (Holds up a resume.) This is a picture of a person I don’t know! (Holds up a headshot of Rod Blagojevich with the name “Mark Begovich” on the bottom.) I need more time. Oh Mark, I need info!”
(Speaking)
The following is the transcript of an e-mail conversation between Mark and me from just 2 days ago:
Judy: “Mark, I need info so I can put together a fabulous speech about you for the awards presentation at the ITA Convention. Aimee-Lynn said you never sent her an updated bio. You need to send me something… ANYTHING, or I will start making stuff up. And then you should be afraid. You should be very afraid! MU-waaahhhahahaha!”
Mark: “I did send a bio!”
Judy: “Really?? You sent your bio?? This is all you sent: ‘Mark Begovich is the Drama Instructor at Maine West High School. He has served on the Board of Directors for many professional organizations, and he has served on the IHSTF Committee for several years.’ LAME!”
Mark: “That's all I am...”
Judy: “Until I start making stuff up!”
So, here I am. Trying to explain why Mark’s headshot has the face of the wrong Serbian on it. And why some of my facts may not be completely accurate. The truth is, Mark Begovich is one of the most humble people I know. He doesn’t like to brag about himself because his focus is always on other people. Luckily, I don’t mind “singing” Mark’s praises.
Mark Begovich earned his Bachelor Degree from the University of Illinois in 1993. During his time on campus, he was very involved in student government. After graduation, he decided to study law, a logical extension of his undergraduate experience. On the road to California for his second year of law school, Mark, a self proclaimed “Renthead”, found himself blasting the soundtrack of his beloved Rent and singing along to the cassette tape in his car stereo. --He got stopped for speeding somewhere in Iowa.-- It was at that very moment when he realized he had made the wrong choice. Something about the song “La Vie Boheme” helped him to find his true calling. That day, he turned his car around, came back to Illinois, applied for the Master of Education program at DePaul University, and never looked back. He eventually became our nation’s first black president.
Mark’s first teaching job was at West Leyden High School, where he stayed until four years ago, when he moved to Maine West. But you already knew that. It’s one of the few facts he shared with us in his modest bio. Throughout his teaching career, he has dedicated himself to giving his high school students the best opportunities possible in the world of theatre. He spends countless hours volunteering his time on Boards and Committees, hoping to make a difference in his students’ lives. He has previously served on the ITA Board as the Secondary Representative and the 2nd Vice-President. He has been a member of the Planning Committee for the Illinois High School Theatre Festival more times than I can count, and he served as the Executive Director of the entire Festival in 2006. He produced three All-State shows and is currently producing the 2010 All-State production of Urinetown. In his spare time, during the 2008 Olympics, Mark earned 8 gold medals – a world record!
At Maine West, he is a successful play director and is the head Speech Team coach. He has served on many IHSA State Speech and Drama/Group Interpretation Tournament Committees and he was recently appointed to the State Advisory Committee for these events.
Whew! In addition to all of that, Mark has managed to stay involved on the Board of Directors for the Eclipse Theatre Company. In 2006, his professional dreams were fulfilled when he was nominated for a Tony Award for his hauntingly realistic portrayal of Man in Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone.
All kidding aside, what I haven’t talked about yet is Mark’s dedication to his students. He gets to know each student individually, and he finds ways to help them grow as performers, technicians, and consumers of theatre. He encourages novices, and he pushes his most experienced students to reach their full potential. He cares so much about his students that he even spent time traveling to colleges, universities, and conservatories around the country in order to find out what the top theatre programs look for in prospective students. He knows what schools to recommend for each student’s unique personality. He knows which monologues are appropriate for each student’s level of talent. And he knows what the Admissions Officers want to read in a student’s essay or a teacher’s letter of recommendation. Now THAT’S a teacher I would want my own children to have!
And Mark never looks for personal recognition. He is content to see all of his students find success in the classroom, in the theatre, and in life. Mark is a man who puts everyone else first. He has devoted his career to doing what’s best for his students. So today, Mark, it’s your turn. It’s time everyone knows that you are much, much more than what’s on your resume. You are passionate about your students and your job. You are a true educator. On behalf of the ITA, I proudly present this Award of Excellence for Secondary Education to Mark Begovich.