Know Your Neighbor: Amy Boscolo, Highland High School assistant principal, AD
Amy Boscolo, assistant principal and athletics director for Highland High School, literally has a passion for working with high-school-age students. Her spirit and enthusiasm is palpable.
Born as the fourth child of George and Judy Cohen on March 12, 1978, in Palms Heights, Amy was the baby of the family with one elder sister, Kathy, and two older brothers, Jeff and Mark.
The family unit was close knit. Though far from impoverished, George was a roofer and there was not a surplus of funds for elaborate vacations, but Amy emphasized “we made our own fun.” The entire family enjoyed being outdoors and especially fishing for walleye and pike at a Minnesota getaway.
Additionally, they were huge fans of the Chicago White Sox. So much so that Amy said not even to include the word “Cubs” in reference to Chicago’s other professional baseball team in her article.
“Life for us wasn’t about what we had, like name brands or popular trends,” said Amy. “Instead, we were focused on spending time together as a family. We always sat down together for meals and would talk about what what our day was like. I especially remember my dad cutting up apples for us kids in the evening.”
Amy added, “Everyone in my family is tall, very tall. I was a tall nerdy girl in Stagg High School in Palos Hills.”
She was active in band playing the flute, saxophone and oboe. She was also in the color guard, participated in track and field, and the Latin Club. She spent one year playing basketball but realized “I hated it.”
She later attended Illinois State University for four years and earned a degree in science and athletic training and exercise. She continued her higher education at North Central College in Naperville and received her teaching certificate.
Amy then worked as a graduate student in athletic training for Neubauer Valley High School in Naperville. That campus had 1,000 freshman students and Amy ultimately then added physical education, track and field and athletics to her curriculum.
“Hard work and a good work ethic was instilled in me and my siblings by our parents,” said Amy. “It was what they expected from us, plus, how well you present yourself to others was stressed. Even in the simple things like hand washing, having clean nails and shoes.”
In 2013, Amy completed her masters at Eastern Illinois University and was head of track and field and sports medicine. She then secured her first administrative position at Eater High School in Rantoul and went through an amicable divorce.
“It was a challenging year of my life,” recalls Amy. “But I learned a lot about myself and wouldn’t do anything differently even if I could.”
After the marital dissolution, Amy learned to accomplish many handyman tasks on her own and moved in with friends while her condominium was being made ready. A couple years later and during winter break, Amy became extremely ill with Pertussis. After a somewhat lengthy recovery, she reminded herself she had a right to be happy and healthy and embraced her Catholicism.
Next stop, Highland
She then updated her curriculum vitae, wrote a descriptive cover letter and sent out many applications; Amy really wanted to be an athletic director at a high school. She spotted an ad for Highland High School and forwarded them her resume.
Amy relocated to Highland in June 2018 and began her career at HHS as assistant principal and athletics and activities director.
“It’s not a stereotypical job for a woman, but I love sports and I love kids,” said Amy. “And this if the perfect way for the two to mesh together.”
She said she is especially fond of kids high school age because of the adult conversations in which she can share and believes it gives her an opportunity to teach life skills and maintain balance.
One of her most memorable events took place during a football game when everyone became distracted due to a trash can moving around on its own. Upon further inspection, she discovered a raccoon in the can on the 50-yard-line and released the critter that scampered away.
Of Amy’s original goals, she has successfully completed, what she termed, three distinctive ones that positively impact her students.
“It’s all about relationships,” said Amy. “It’s about showing how much you care for the student other than them just being an athlete. I oversee Individualized Education Plans and assist parents who have behavioral concerns with their children.”
Though her job may at times seem daunting, she acknowledges the intangible rewards she receives from helping to shape students’ lives.
“I give 110% to my kids and encourage them to do the same,” said Amy. “I love everyone of them the same.”
Additionally, Amy developed an athletic website kids can access to see scheduling information; she conducts parent meetings every season; and is focusing on more fundraisers in an effort to remodel the gymnasium, improve playing fields and the acquisition of a touch-screen trophy case.
Life post-coronavirus
This interview was conducted in early March before the onslaught of COVID-19 and Amy was making plans for an April golf tournament fundraiser. That tournament has since been canceled and Illinois is still under a stay-at-home order through April 30 due to coronavirus concerns.
“I know this is a challenging time for the students, missing school, games and competitions,” Amy said at the end of March. “But then I also know everything happens for a reason. I’ve temporarily converted my garage into a gym and am able to continue my workouts.
“I hope my students will find creative ways to keep up their level of physical activity. Plus, staying active is good for keeping a positive outlook.”