Filip Szyller

About Filip: Born Oct. 10, 1990. Son of Marcin and Sabina Szyller, residing in the Hegewisch neighborhood of Chicago.

Brother to Natalia. Grandson of Zofia Anatusko, of Calumet City. Plays soccer, hockey and football.

Accomplishments: Filip Szyller is a sophomore at Bishop Noll Institute. An athlete, he is on the wrestling team and played football freshman year. He plays soccer with his father who is a member of a competitive men's league in Chicago and used to play hockey when he lived in Poland. Szyller moved from Mowi Targ, Poland, seven years ago and quickly learned to speak English.

While there are many similarities in customs and foods, the schools are different. Szyller was accustomed to being addressed only as a number, never by name. He didn't have a desk with storage or an area for his belongings so he had to bring everything home each day. Another difference was the celebration of Christmas. In Poland two are celebrated; his family now has adopted the American observance. Pierogi continue to be Szyller's favorite food, especially potato. He enjoys playing guitar and talking with relatives on the telephone who remain in his homeland.

Personal hero: "My mom. She is the one who understands me. I can talk to her about anything."

What I read: "If a book interests me I'll read it over and over. I read 'A Child Called It' in one day and a week later, I read it again."

What I do for fun: "I hang out with friends and play sports with my dad."

People might be surprised to know: "My favorite subject in school is geometry."

- SUE BERO, TIMES CORRESPONDENT