The Maine Township High School District 207 Board of Education honored three students in the area of fine arts naming them “207’s Best” at a recent meeting. Mateo Maisonet from Maine West was honored for his creativity, perseverance and commitment.
The following information was written about Mateo Maisonet as part of the nomination by Maine West principal Daniel Hill:
MATEO MAISONET, MAINE WEST
It is my pleasure to recognize Mateo Maisonet, a senior at Maine West High School, as our 207’s Best honoree in the area of Fine Arts. Mateo is a talented and dedicated student whose contributions to technical theater, music, and the performing arts reflect his creativity, leadership, and commitment to excellence.
Throughout his high school experience, Mateo has immersed himself in multiple areas of the fine arts, including technical theater, choir, the Choraliers a cappella group, and marching band. His journey began with inspiration from his older sister, whose involvement in music and theater sparked his own curiosity. What started as an opportunity to explore backstage production during his freshman year has developed into a passion for designing and constructing theatrical sets.
Mateo has distinguished himself through his work with Maine West’s technical theater program, earning multiple recognitions, including Assistant Technical Director, Master Carpenter, Stage Manager, and Rookie of the Year. As an Assistant Technical Director, he has helped oversee production projects, guided fellow students in learning construction techniques, and supported the safe and effective operation of the technical theater shop. One of his proudest accomplishments was constructing two identical 11-foot arches for Maine West’s production of Mamma Mia!, a project that required considerable precision, patience, and dedication.
His musical talents are equally impressive. Mateo participates in choir and marching band, where his perseverance helped him advance from playing bass drum to snare drum, a personal goal he worked diligently to achieve. Despite the demanding schedules of multiple fine arts programs, Mateo continues to demonstrate a commitment to his academic responsibilities while balancing rehearsals, performances, and production work.
Beyond his accomplishments, Mateo speaks highly of the welcoming community he has found within Maine West’s fine arts programs. He credits his teachers, particularly Mr. McManus and Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr, with helping him develop not only his artistic abilities but also his maturity, confidence, and leadership. He also acknowledges the tremendous encouragement of his family, whose support helped him recognize that his passion for the arts could become more than a hobby.
Looking ahead, Mateo hopes to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he plans to pursue entertainment engineering and continue participating in marching band. His aspiration is to combine his creativity and technical skills to design and build productions in the entertainment industry.
Mateo’s story exemplifies the transformative power of fine arts education. Through his experiences at Maine West, he has discovered his talents, developed meaningful relationships, and identified a pathway toward his future. We are proud to recognize Mateo Maisonet as Maine West’s 207’s Best representative in Fine Arts and celebrate the many ways he embodies what it means to be a Warrior.