Clayt "Spike" Grosshuesch"
Class of 1972Alumni Recognition Award, 2004
Spike Grosshuesch is one of the most outgoing and fun people in all of Naperville. Spike is currently one of the best counselors at Neuqua Valley High School. Spike has earned and fulfilled many awards for his numerous efforts and time put in to make Naperville a great town.
Spike grew up in Naperville. He attended Naperville Central High School form 1968-1972 with pride, and lived every minute of his four years. Spike's best memory at NCHS was his first day of freshman year. He went into geometry class, full of excitement knowing that he was going to be taught by his dad! As his dad was going through the class roster, calling out the names of each student, Spike grew with anticipation knowing his dad had something coming up for him. Sure enough, he purposely mispronounced his name three times, Spike's friends laughing through the process. That class, and watching his dad teach, made him realize that education was what he wanted to be part of, especially math. He was a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball and track. Spike was voted Best Athlete by his senior class. Other than sports, Spike was active in choir for all four years, and lit up the stage in three musicals. He was also the president of Varsity Club from '71-'72, and was in the Young Life Club for his entire high school career.
After high school he attended Southern Methodist University and earned a B.A. in mathematics. He received his masters in counselor education from Northern Illinois University in 1985.
Following his successful college career he quickly went into education as planned. He came back to Naperville and has taught for twenty seven years and going, at both Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley High Schools. At Waubonsie he taught ten years in the math department and served ten years as a guidance counselor. He then went to Neuqua, where he is to this day, in guidance. Throughout his teaching years he has had many awesome coaching records in varsity boys' basketball and varsity boy's golf. Many of his special recognitions, commendations and awards include:
- Named Most Influential Staff Member in District 204 three times (1990, 1192, & 1993)
- Teacher of the Year finalist six times
- First faculty member of Neuqua Valley High School to be named Teacher of the Month, 1997. (Voted on by the students)
- IHSA Region Six Basketball Coach of the Year, 1989-1990
- Awarded the Cherish the Children award by CASA in the fall of 2001
- Named in Who's Who Among American Teachers (1996-2002)
- Awarded the Neuqua Valley Legacy Award (2000), presented by the graduating seniors
- Education Center Making A Difference Award (2002) recipient
Spike has also been a Star Raider sponsor at W and NV since their programs started in 1986, and is still participating today. He is also very involved in Naperville Operation Snowball. He has directed since 1985, and has been on forty-three exciting and worthy weekends. He is on the Board of Directors for Operation Snowball, Inc. (1997-present), which oversees all 135 chapters in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, as well as International chapters in Poland, Lithuania and Russia.
MR. Grosshuesch'S MESSAGE TO STUDENTS: Magic happens... allow for the possibility. This is a phrase I live by each day. Choose your attitude every morning when you wake up. Always stay positive in life.
