Zion Benton High School

Zion-Benton High college counselor to retire

ZION — After more than two decades at Zion-Benton Township High School, college counselor Mary Budzik has helped thousands of students receive the chance at higher learning, even aiding them into some Big Ten schools. Next week she will retire.

Budzik, who has a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, has been instrumental in securing millions of dollars in grants and scholarships — nearly $10 million just this year, and last year about $7 millioin, she said.

“I know I’ve pushed the envelope. I’m very passionate about this,” said Budzik. “I don’t know what we were getting before, but I know that I’ve personally built it up $2 or $3 million from where we were before.”

For Budzik, the time she spent at ZBTHS has been “fabulous,” and she’s enjoyed it so much, she nearly lost track of the time. “I’m told it’s been 21 years,” she said with a laugh. “I have felt this is such a privilege for me to be there working with the children and their families. This is a very important thing.”

Budzik who grew up in Chicago, worked 35 years in education. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, she played various roles in schooling children and teenagers.

Among her jobs were grade school principal, high school math teacher, English teacher, special education instructor, and special education director for Two County (Lake and McHenry) Low Incidence Handicapped Services, helping seriously disabled students.

“It seems like in my career line I’ve always followed my children,” said Budzik. “When they were in grade school I was a grade school principal.”

After the sudden death of her husband, Budzik raised two sons on her own — Jay and Jonathan, both whom earned Ph.D.s. Jay works in engineering and computer science while Jonathan will receive a medical degree from the University of Chicago. Both attended Zion schools.

Longtime friend and retired English teacher Mary Rinehart of Winthrop Harbor said she feels it is unfortunate that Budzik will leave her post at the school. “I think it’s going to be the end of an era there,” she said. “She gets kids into these major schools and fantastic scholarships. (Budzik) has helped students get full-ride scholarships to great schools — Northwestern University, University of Chicago — Big Ten universities,” said Rinehart. “She helped one of her student’s get into MIT.

The Inside Scoop: Bass fishing | Zion-Benton heads locals after ...

The Zion-Benton boat pulled in the maximum five fish on day one of the state bass fishing finals, but their weight of 9 pounds, 9 ounces wasn't enough for the lead.

The Zee-Bees team of Tyler Cantu and Josh Stagg sit in second place behind Canton, whose four fish total 10 pounds, 15 ounces for the first day lead.

Frankfort, Marion and Farina South Central round out the top five boats after the first day of competition.

Among the local boats, Marist is eighth, with a total weight of 8-6 and Marmion is in 11th place (7-1).

The biggest bass of the day went to Highland #2's Taylor Wieser, who pulled in a tournament record 6 pound, 8 ounce fish.

The state tournament resumes for day two at 7 a.m., Saturday.

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