LTHS Student Honored By Chicago Bears

LA GRANGE, IL – A Lyons Township High School is the sixth student recognized by the Chicago Bears this year as a Community High School All-Star award winner. Nine will be honored in all.

Junior Danny Pasko is a three-year linebacker for Lyons Township. He holds a 3.7 unweighted grade point average.

During his sophomore year, Pasko dealt with a serious knee injury that required surgery. He returned the following year to help lead his school to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, the Bears said in a news release.

Pasko coordinated the Secret Santa program for his football team, volunteering to shop and distribute gifts to more than 160 underprivileged local children, according to the release.

Pasko also encouraged his teammates to help their local YMCA and sell 1,500 Christmas trees to raise money for local charities.

In the news release, Pasko said he grew up with two friends with special needs. He said that taught him that one never knows what others are dealing with on a daily basis.

"It is important to try every day to make somebody's day better," he said.

Each winner receives a custom hand-painted football, a gift bag and an invitation to a Bears event. The Bears will also make a $500 donation to the charitable group of the player's choosing. Pasko chose Pillars Community Health in La Grange.