The Schools

DISTRICT 102 SCHEDULES KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION NIGHT, PRESCHOOL SCREENING

2010-01-29T11:49:00.000-08:00

La Grange Elementary School District 102 will host a kindergarten orientation meeting at 7 p.m., February 4, in the Park Junior High Auditorium, 325 N. Park, La Grange Park.

Parents of incoming kindergarten students for the 2010-2011 school year are encouraged to attend the meeting. Registration packets will be distributed, and curriculum, full and half day programs along with the registration process will be discussed.

More information is available by calling (708) 482-2400.

Preschool screening for resident children ages birth-5 will be provided beginning at 8:30 a.m., February 4, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 203 S. Kensington, La Grange.

Staff members will meet with each child for approximately one hour. Information obtained from the screening will determine the need for early intervention services, vision and hearing referrals, preschool and speech/language services eligibility.

Appointments may be scheduled by calling (708) 482-3003, Ext. 3826.

OLIVER PERFORMING AT PARK JR. HIGH

2009-11-12T15:38:00.000-08:00

Oliver hits the stage at 7:00 p.m., Nov. 13 and Nov. 14, at Park Jr. High, 325 N. Park, La Grange Park. Tickets may be purchased for $5.00 at the door.

More than100 student cast and crew members are participating in this year's musical, featuring Oliver, an orphaned boy lured into the world of thievery, being performed by Mardi Sramek. Fagin, the ringleader of the "pickpockets" is played by Paul Hunter, and Charlie Feller plays "The Artful Dodger" who is one of Fagin's "star pupils". After being sold from the workhouse, Oliver works for Fagin until he is arrested during one of the pick pocketing outings. Ironically, the wallet that Oliver stole belonged to his paternal grandfather who eventually recognizes his true identity. With the help of reformed adolescent thief, Nancy, played by Kailey Rousonelos, Mr. Brownlow adopts Oliver but that isn't before the characters are plagued with violence and murder.

More information is available by calling (708) 482-2500, or on the district website, www.dist102.k12.il.us.

RED SLED CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

2009-11-04T14:08:00.000-08:00

Ogden Ave. School's 30th Annual Red Sled Holiday Bazaar glides into La Grange from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., November 7, at 501 W. Ogden Ave.

The PTC sponsored event features more than 70 crafters and artisans, a cafe and bake sale, pictures with Santa from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., noon to 1:30 p.m., and much more.

Candy Cane Lane boasts games, crafts, and a movie for children to enjoy while their parents are shopping. This year's raffle prizes include a stay at the Holiday Inn Mayan Adventure Indoor Waterpark, an iPod Nono, three hours of professional interior design, a portable GPS, and an American Girl doll. Tickets are $5.00 each or 6 for $25.00.

All proceeds benefit Ogden PTC programs. More information is available on the Ogden Ave. School website, www.ogden.102ptc.net.

FORMER LT ADMINISTRATOR TO RETIRE

2009-10-16T02:16:00.000-07:00

By James Pluta
News editor

A former Lyons Township High School District 204 administrator with an extraordinary name who left town 2-1/2 years ago to pursue the superintendency of Oak Park/River Forest High School District 200 has announced his retirement.

The 36-year career educator, Attila Josef Weninger, the former director of human resources and director of curriculum and instruction at District 204 -- hired by OPRF, a one-school district, in May 2007 namely to address the district's widening achievement gap between white and black students -- will retire at the end of the school year.

A native of Salzburg, Austria who often finds himself at the start of any new job answering questions about his surname, he has been credited for totally restructuring OPRF's administration and had recently embarked on a controversial plan to create new division (subject) heads to serve their respective departments and dual administrative roles by the fall of 2010.

Weninger, according to the Oak Park-based community newspaper the Wednesday Journal, had been negotiating with his School Board since Aug. 24 on a new contract extension, but those talks did not lead to a new pact.

First hired at a salary of $200,000 per year with increments based on his progress on certain specified goals such as closing the achievement gap, the 11-year LT veteran administrator just began the final year of his initial three-year contract.

On Oct. 15, he told reporters he resigned for unspecified personal reasons.

In May 2008, he survived a flap over not attributing a story he recited at a Memorial Day ceremony to a speech used on the campaign trail by then-Republican presidential hopeful
Arizona Sen. John McCain about a Vietnam-era veteran prisoner-of-war.

Contending the same story was originally told to him by his Vietnam veteran brother, he was still accused of plagiarism but was never penalized by his board. Instead, they issued a statement saying he "showed poor judgement" in his actions.

Just this week, the 58-year-old educator embarked on plans to soon begin a districtwide internal operations review to assess how OPRF conducts its business and delivers services.

Within the next year, he also has had plans to change the district's leadership culture -- something also unsuccessfully attempted by a former superintendent who served in his position from 1988 to 1991.

Weninger, who received both his masters degree in 1979 and his doctorate in 1992 from Northwestern University, was a former English teacher and principal in Roselle and Wheaton as well.

In announcing Weninger's retirement, board President Dietra Millard -- the only member to initially vote against his hiring in 2007 -- stated the district will soon begin discussing a search for his successor and seek input on "the qualities key to future school leadership."

LT TOPS AMONG ILLINOIS SCHOOLS

2009-10-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

For the 11th consecutive year, Lyons Township High School was one of just 58 Illinois school districts honored with a Bright A+ award.

The award is based on academic performance, and districts earning the award are among the top 5 percent of all Illinois school districts.

High school districts were judged based on the ACT composite score of all students tested.

The Bright A+ awards are sponsored by School Search, a firm that provides comparative school district information to corporations, homebuilders, libraries, real estate professionals and relocating families.

Not only does LT score in the top 5% in the state, LT's ACT score of 24.1 is significantly higher than state and national averages.

Each year nearly 90 percent of the graduating seniors are college-bound.

Their outstanding ACT scores are instrumental in gaining admittance into top colleges and universities across the country.

LT HOMECOMING: BLAST FROM THE PAST

2009-10-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

By James Pluta
News editor

When Sue Schierholtz and fellow students from her Class of 1959 reunion visit the Lyons Township High School North campus this weekend, some of them are going to have a hard time finding the football field and may be surprised the building sports a swimming pool.

Then again, the same may hold true for classmates of Lorraine Redis Koshgarian of Burr Ridge, who not only graduated in a class of 300-plus at the North campus in 1949, but also from Lyons
Township Junior College -- which was then on the top floor of the La Grange campus.

We had a wonderful, wonderful class spirit and us girls in particular," she recalled. "There were some 30 of us who really hung together and went to basketball games, everything we could. Those were the days; when you could travel around safely."

Both classes are holding their reunions this weekend, '59's at La Grange Country Club (where the Class of 1954 will be all weekend) and '49's at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook. The Class of '59 will hold a Friday, Oct. 9 mixer at the Lake Hinsdale Village Clubhouse in Willowbrook and a Sunday, Oct. 11 brunch at the country club. The Class of '49 has a Friday night mixer at the same hotel.

Plans for each reunion have been underway for a year or more, as well as plans to have a contingent of classmates in the Homecoming parade set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at the North campus. '49ers will be in a streetcar trolley and '59ers will be in a row of convertibles.

"A lot of us (reunion organizers) do this three-day thing right around Homecoming ... and this time there will be 25 of us in four convertibles," said Schierholtz, who cannot forget all the good times at The Corral, when it was located on Harris Avenue downtown (what is now Les Tissus Colbert). "If you don't get a seat, you walk."

Ever since this year's 50th reunion planning began, a group of classmates has been meeting regularly for breakfast every other month at Moondance Diner in Burr Ridge. Asked what was special about her class, the Western Springs resident couldn't have given a cornier answer.

"Nothing could be finer than the Class of '59-er," she proclaimed. "I made it to The Corral every opportunity I had."

Schierholtz, who went on to become a Chicago Public Schools home economics teacher, said it is sad The Corral is not what it used to be.

"That was the way to get out from under your parents (rule)," she reminisced, adding there were always two sets of parents there as chaperones who kept to themselves. "There were records playing all the time ... and there originally was booths and a dance floor there a step up with a corral-type fence around it. You'd walk around that 'til a guy asked you to dance."

She said the Class of '59, expected to attract more than 2oo to the reunion, was the last class to go through all four years at the North campus.

"There was no swimming pool and where the gym now is was the football field," she said. "We were told to not go across the street but through the undergound tunnel. And we obeyed."

As for the Class of '49, some 75 classmates are expected to show up this weekend.

"I met my husband (football player Herb Koshgarian) at LT; he was two years ahead of me in the Class of '47," said Redis Koshgarian, who raised her five children in a house at Edgewood and 47th Street. "I was a member of the Girls Club and I studied hard."

Unlike she and her husband -- who met at The Corral and married two years after she graduated LT -- their children attended South and North campus.

Her husband's class is the one that purchased the old mechanic's garage that was converted into The Corral, where she always hung out after it opened. I dunno, call it fate.

Her mother even attended LT, but that was back when girls only went for two years and then worked, because they weren't considered worthy enough to complete an education. Like her mother, she walked to school, right up Cossitt Avenue.

Redis Koshgarian, whose husband later operated the Koshgarian rug cleaning company in La Grange then Hinsdale, said she and many of her classmates of 60 years ago remain close.

"We're best friends," she said, noting her classmates came from as far away as Palos Hills back then. "LT was a wonderful melting pot. I can't imagine anyone going through the same experience as we did. I can't even say enough good things about LT."

The Classes of 1954, 1960, 1968, 1974, 1979, 1989 and 1999 also have planned reunions for this weekend and may also be seen in the parade, the game and other alumni events.

Spirit Week concludes
LT's annual Spirit Week began Oct. 5 and climaxes with the student dance on Saturday, Oct. 10.
This year’s theme, "Lights, Camera, Action," featured dress-up days and contests, the annual parade from North to South campus, a “red carpet” experience, search lights and Hollywood decorations.
LT welcomes the community to participate in the festivities and homeowners along the parade route are encouraged to show their school spirit and pride by showcasing their homes in blue and gold.
The pep rally will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 before the boys’ varsity soccer game at Bennett Field. Nessie and Noil will be on hand and the Homecoming queen will be crowned.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, the parade will be followed by alumni tours at South Campus at 11 a.m. and a reception for alumni at The Corral at South campus at noon.
The parade steps off at the North campus parking lot on Cossitt Avenue, just west of Brainard Avenue, heads south on Blackstone Avenue and west on Goodman Avenue. The route crosses Gilbert Avenue and continues west on 46th Street, south on Clausen Avenue, and east on 47th Street through the Garden Market shopping center to Bennett Field.
LionFest at Bennett Field will include family fun and the Boosters will have food and LT wear for sale during the Varsity football game at Bennett Field. Scheduled kickoff is 1:30 p.m.
The student dance will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with nearly 3,000 students expected to attend. The cost of tickets is $15, and $20 at the door.
This year's Student Council is partnered with the Cause & Affect Foundation and donate all the proceeds from the sale of t-shirts, buttons and aluminum water bottles to the foundation’s worldwide philanthropy efforts. The Chicago-based nonprofit works to alleviate poverty.

Pizza, anyone?
Since Saturday, Oct. 10 is Homecoming night, Aurelio's at 11 Calendar Court in downtown La Grange will be open late especially for LT students.
From 10:45 p.m. to midnight, the restaurant will be closed down to all but those attending LT Homecoming.

FOREST ROAD SET FOR TOY SALE

2009-10-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

Forest Road School kicks off its 22nd annual Used Toy Sale from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Oct. 17, 901 Forest Road, in La Grange Park.

The sale features dolls, action figures, games, bikes, sports equipment, and more. Adults only are admitted between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Children will be admitted with an adult after 11:00 a.m.

Seller registration is 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. , Oct. 7, and 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 8. Toy drop off is Oct. 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

More information is available by calling (708) 352-4718.

LP YOUTH HAVING THEIR SAY

2009-10-02T00:54:00.000-07:00

By James Pluta
News editor

La Grange Park Trustee Scott Mesick likes the idea of junior high and high schoolers sharing their opinions about the issues of the day with the village's elected leaders.

And when the monthly civics lesson dubbed the Youth Advisory Commission regular meeting gets underway, observers say it's the closest exercise to the real thing.

On the second Monday of every month, young students from Park Junior High School in La Grange Park and both Lyons Township High School in La Grange and Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park assemble in the Village Hall meeting room at 7 p.m. -- and just like their real-life counterparts -- they debate and discuss every issue in that month's standard board packet.

When all is said and done, after the young pseudo-government representatives reach consensus on the issues they have reviewed and researched all weekend, they choose one of their own to appear at the following night's real Village Board meeting to report on their opinions.

"It's real interesting; it gives us a read on what young people are thinking," said Mesick, a father of six elected to the board in 2007. "One youth sits in at every meeting and we ask questions. It's interesting how they went about reaching their decisions ... but some are more vocal than others."

Mesick said society seems to think the kids in that age group are glued to the TV screen, computer monitor or busy texting, emailing or calling their friends every night.

But these are kids who "take the initiative" to make their voice and opinions count, he said.

"The Youth Commission is a very workable thing," he added. "We really have seen some good ideas expressed. If we just listen to them we might learn something."

Assistant Village Manager Julia Cedillo is the staff liaison to the youth panel and admits in her seven years of municipal work in Cook, DuPage and DeKalb counties -- she worked for Woodridge's village manager for six years before coming here a year ago -- she has never heard of anything of the sort. She also worked for the City of DeKalb.

"Youth Advisory is a great commission and is really one of the (unique) programs as far as villages are concerned," she said.

The program, which selects students based on applications downloadable on the village website, has been around since 2002 and its revolving 10 members are appointed by Village President Jim Discipio for 2-year terms. Members must attend the 7th through the 12th grade.

Current members include Daniel Golden from Nazareth, Grace Flaherty from LT, Grant Lundahl from LT, Abby Gies from Fenwick, Mitchell Serafin from Nazareth, Aubrey Aikens from Park, Margaret Brewick from Nazareth, Matt McGuinn from Park, Jack Roache from Nazareth and Jordyn Faron from LT.

The students receive a packet, just like trustees, delivered to their home once a month, on the Thursday before each monthly meeting, at which the Roberts Rules of Order govern the parliamentary procedures at every session.

They assign a new chairman for every meeting to keep things fresh and to give everyone the chance to assume the leadership position.

"I am just impressed with the level of engagement and discipline they bring to each issue," Cedillo said. "I am amazed they have such (well-researched) view of the issues."

She cannot recall a time when the young commissioners changed a board's viewpoint. And though the kids neither call or are counseled by the trustees, they just so happen to agree with them on most matters.

They often come to meetings with opinions, ready to debate.

Cedillo said the kids are learning "an incredible skill" by discussing and researching the pros and cons of municipal issues.

And, she said, they are also learning that not everyone attends public meetings, as evidenced by many of the Village Boards in the region, including their own.

"I wish they would (attend)," said Cedillo, noting how fascinatng it is to see the kids at work. "They're seriously dedicated."

COSSITT SCHOOL CLOTHING SALE SCHEDULED

2009-09-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

Cossitt School's clothing sale falls on October 3, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, 115 W. Cossitt, in La Grange.

The sale will feature boys and girls excellent quality, gently used fall and winter clothing (infant to size 20), baby equipment, costumes, bikes, sport shoes and more.

There will be a half price yellow tag sale from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Adults only will be admitted from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and children will be admitted with an adult between 10:00 a.m. and noon. Cash or checks (with identification only) will be accepted for payment.

The La Grange Library, 10 W. Cossitt, is the new seller registration site. Registration will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sept. 29. Receiving for registered sellers is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Oct. 1, or from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Oct. 2. Sellers keep 60% of the sale price.

Volunteers are needed for the sale. Admittance to the pre-sale is granted with four hours of volunteering. To volunteer, please call (708) 579-5984 or e-mail cscsvolunteers@hotmail.com.

More information is available by calling (708) 352-1931. En Espanol, (708) 354-8510 or (708) 354-0469. The clothing sale is sponsored by the Cossitt School PTC. Proceeds benefit school enrichment programs.

'UNDER MILK WOOD" LT'S FIRST '09/'10 PLAY

2009-09-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

The Lyons Township High School Theatre Board proudly presents “Under Milk Wood,” which portrays 24 hours in Llareggub, a small Welsh seaside town filled with many colorful and memorable characters.

Written late in Dylan Thomas’ career, he called it a play for voices.

The beautiful language is meant to be read aloud and was often produced as a radio experience.

Faculty members Ann Dudek and Marie Gillespie are the directors.

Performance dates are Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 24 to 26 in the Reber Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Brainard Avenue.

Tickets are $10 ($5 for children/students and senior citizens) and may be purchased in the box office before the show.

The theatre opens at 7 p.m. and the show starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. each night.

LP SCHOOL DIST. WELCOMES NEW LEADER

2009-06-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

Summer is typically the time for school construction projects, but it's also when administrative changes are usually made as well.

Such is the case this year in one of the elementary schools serving La Grange Park, District 95 -- which has hired a new superintendent for the 2009-10 school year to replace the outgoing Thomas Hurlburt.

Mark Kuzniewski, 39, who now works for Aptakisic Jr. High in Buffalo Grove's District 102, was selected by the School Board last month, following a 3-month search and interview process. His contract calls for an annual compensation of $135,000.

Some 96 percent of Aptakisic students met or exceeded state standards on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test in 2008 -- up 16 percent from 2004, before he took over as principal -- when only 80 percent met those same standards.

The School Board apparently found Kuzniewski's emphasis on curriculum and his record of improving student achievement attractive, hoping he can make similar improvements here.

A graduate of Thornwood High School, he earned a doctorate in educational leadership from National-Louis University in December 2008.

He spent eight years as a principal in both Buffalo Grove and Lake Zurich and four years as an English teacher and coach at McHenry High School.

Come this summer, Kuzniewski will replace Hurlburt, the superintendent since 2006 who is leaving to become superintendent of District 157-C in Frankfort.

LT' FETES YOUNG FILMMAKERS

2009-06-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

Three of five Lyons Township High School student filmmakers presented awards May 28 for outstanding work shown to their peers and public at District 204's first-ever film festival are from La Grange.

Winners include: First place in the Experimental category, “The Last Time” by junior Tony DiBiase; Second place in the Cut Paper Animation category, “Obama’s New Suit” by senior Phillip Leonard and senior Danny Galin, all of LaGrange.

The other winners included Indian Head Park senior Ben Kabialis -- who worked with Leonard and Galin and sophomore Andy Jarosz of Brookfield, who captured third place in the Drama category for “Noise.”

All winning students received retail gift cards after being recognized.

The MANE event, an acronym for the Media Arts Night of Entertainment was attended by about 100 students, parents and community members, who also enjoyed appetizers and refreshments prepared by Chef’s class students before the screenings began.

The program was presented in two parts: film screenings and question and answer sessions with filmmakers. Judges then evaluated the works to determine award-winning submissions.

GOODBYE PARTY FOR 'SUPER' KELLY

2009-05-28T22:32:00.000-07:00

A retirement reception is being hosted by Lyons Township High School for retiring Superintendent of Schools Dennis Kelly, who leaves in one month after serving the two-school district for the past 17 years.

The goodbye toast of sorts was scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, June 1, in the Performing Arts Center at LT's South Campus, 4900 Willow Springs Road, Western Springs.

Kelly has dedicated 41 years of his life to education.

The event is open to the public.

LTHS Announces 2008 Hall of Fame Inductees

2008-11-26T10:14:00.000-08:00

Hailing from very different fields, the 2008 Lyons Township High School Hall of Fame program will welcome an award-winning actor/writer, head of Chicago’s CTA, world renowned composer/musician, multiple national championship running coach, and a leader in the field of clinical pharmacological research. Five LT alumni have been chosen for induction into the 2008 Hall of Fame.

The LTHS Board of Education established the Hall of Fame to recognize the accomplishments of some 65,000 graduates, faculty and friends of LT and to provide role models to students. The Hall of Fame is organized by a volunteer member committee of alumni, faculty, staff, students and citizens.

Michael Hotchcock
Michael Hitchcock graduated from LTHS in 1976 then continued his education at Northwestern University’s School of Speech, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, and at UCLA, where he earned a master’s degree in film and television production. Since then, he has become well-known and respected as an actor, writer, and producer. His solid comedic timing has landed him featured roles in critically-acclaimed films “Best in Show,” “For Your Consideration,” “A Mighty Wind,” and “Waiting for Guffman.” “Best in Show” earned a Golden Globe nomination for “Best Comedy” and won “Funniest Motion Picture” by the American Comedy Awards and British Comedy Awards. Hitchcock and his co-actors from “A Mighty Wind” were awarded “Best Ensemble Cast” by the Florida Film Critics Circle and were nominated for “Best Ensemble Acting” by the Phoenix Film Critics Society. Hitchcock’s numerous film and television appearances also include “Serenity,” “Heartbreakers,” “Wild Hogs,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Desperate Housewives, “Entourage,” “Arrested Development,” and the television series, “Men of a Certain Age.” Hitchcock’s writing credits include the films “Where the Day Takes You,” “House Arrest,” “The Ultimate Christmas Present,” and the comedy series, MAD TV, which has been nominated three times by the Writers Guild of America for “Outstanding Writing of a Comedy/Variety Series.” Hitchcock is currently executive producer and writer of the upcoming Comedy Central series, “The Bobby Lee Project.” He remains active in the Los Angeles community by teaching English, math, and improvisation with the L.A. Mentor Program and appears regularly in Hollywood’s popular comedy and improvisational troupe, The Groundlings.

Ron Huberman
Ron Huberman graduated from Lyons Township in 1990, and then earned undergraduate degrees in English and psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1995, he was accepted for training at the Chicago Police Department and worked night patrols while attending courses at University of Chicago during the day, where he earned dual graduate degrees in social service administration and business administration. During his time on campus, he was named a Schweitzer and a Soros Fellow. He climbed the ranks within the City of Chicago to his current position as the President of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the second largest public transportation system in the country, servicing 1.6 million riders per day. In this role, he has been given the monumental task of operating a financially-strapped, billion-dollar system while trying to advance technology and increase ridership. Previous to this assignment, Huberman served as the Chief of Staff for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley for two years and as the Executive Director of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication prior to that. He has also worked in various capacities for the Chicago Police Department. His most noted accomplishment to date was expanding the Police Department’s existing Citizen and Law Enforcement and Reporting (CLEAR) system in conjunction with the Illinois State Police system to create I-CLEAR. More than 240 local, state and federal law enforcement and criminal justice agencies across the state can share crime information in real time by using this database. Huberman received the national Gary B. Hayes Award for Innovation in Policing in 2002 for his work with I-CLEAR.

Phillip Ramey
After graduating from LT in 1957, Phillip Ramey studied composition with Russian-born composer Alexander Tcherepnin, initially in France and then in Chicago, at DePaul University. Graduate studies were in New York at Columbia University. An accomplished pianist, Ramey gave the premiere of his Concert Suite for Piano and Orchestra in 1962 in Chicago. His work of orchestral scores includes several concertos, chamber-ensemble pieces and a large body of solo-piano works, notably six sonatas, Piano Fantasy and the satiric Leningrad Rag, based on Scott Joplin and written for the legendary Vladimir Horowitz. Ramey’s Horn Concerto, commissioned by the New York Philharmonic to celebrate its 150th anniversary, was introduced by that orchestra and conducted by Leonard Slatkin. His orchestration of Aaron Copland’s piano piece, Proclamation, had an historic bi-coastal premiere, performed on the same evening in New York by Zubin Mehta and in Los Angeles by Erich Leinsdorf. Copland once wrote of Ramey, “He is a composer of real individuality, with a flair for dramatic gesture.” A well-known writer on music, Ramey has published hundreds of liner notes, along with a multitude of concert program notes and magazine articles. From 1977 to 1993 he served as Annotator and Program Editor of the New York Philharmonic. His biography of the composer Irving Fine, published in 2005 by the U.S. Library of Congress, received the 2006 Deems Taylor Award for Outstanding Musical Biography. His autobiography was completed in 2007, and in 2008, he finished writing a novel for a German movie company, which will be filmed in Morocco in 2009. Ramey’s music is available from several major publishers, including two CDs of his piano music, the beginning of a complete survey: the first (2006) performed by the British pianist Stephen Gosling; the second (2008) by the Argentinean Mirian Conti. Ramey’s most recent large-scale works are J.F.K.: Oration for Speaker and Orchestra (with a text from speeches by President Kennedy) and Piano Sonata No. 6.

Mary Westrick
After graduation from LT in 1974, Mary Westrick attended Purdue University and received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1978. She continued her education at Purdue, earning both her master’s degree and doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology. Westrick has spent much of her career testing the safety and effectiveness of promising new drugs, treatments or preventive measures in humans. She started her career at Bristol-Meyers, where she served as a research scientist. When her department at Bristol-Meyers relocated out of state, she teamed with a colleague as founder and president of GFI Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., a clinical research company. In just under 10 years, the company went from five to 175 employees with more than $6 million in revenue in 1996. When Collaborative Clinical Research, Inc. purchased GFI, Westrick assumed the position of vice president of corporate operations. She then moved on to Covance, the world’s largest publicly-traded drug development company with annual revenues over $1 billion. Currently, she serves as the global vice president and general manager of Clinical Pharmacology, where she manages more than 750 employees in Europe and North America. She oversees all aspects of clinical pharmacology services and the day-to-day operations of ten clinical research units. Her business unit was recognized as Covance’s “Business Unit of the Year” in both 2003 and 2007, and she was awarded Covance’s “Excellence in People” Award in 2004 for her support and mentoring of her staff. She oversaw construction of a new clinic in 2004 and just opened a new $12.4 million facility with 50,000 square feet of research space. She was the first woman to serve as a general manager of an operations unit at Covance as well as on the company’s Global Leadership Council. She also serves as a member of the Dean’s Industrial Advisory Board in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Purdue University.

Norman Witek
Norman Witek, a 1963 graduate, attended the University of Tennessee on a full athletic scholarship, where he earned his bachelor and master degrees. He began his career as head cross-country and track coach at Brevard College in North Carolina in 1968. He quickly brought great success to the college during his 19-year coaching tenure. His teams won a record four consecutive National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Cross-Country Championships, as well as the NJCAA Marathon Championship. Additionally, he coached 116 All-Americans. Witek is a three-time National Coach of the Year, member of the NJCAA Hall of Fame and a recent inductee to the Brevard College Hall of Fame. Witek has served students as a professor, athletic director, division chair for physical education, and dean of students. He continues to teach Exercise Science and is the coordinator for Physical Education Teacher Licensure. For his years of service, Brevard College awarded him the Brevard Medallion of Honor in May 2008. He also directs the nation’s largest summer distance running camp at the college. Each year, the camp hosts more than 1500 participants arriving individually and as teams to learn from Witek. He also volunteers his time coaching in the community. His knowledge and motivational skills are legendary, and the numerous All-Americans and individual National Champions he has coached pay tribute to his success. In 1999, Adidas World Headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany released the “Brevard” model women’s running shoe in the United States after visiting the summer camp and receiving valuable feedback from Witek and the runners. After several more visits to the camp, Adidas named an updated model of the shoe the “Witek” to show their appreciation for his contributions to the sport of running. The shoe was released in Europe in 2004.

LG SCHOOLS SCORE WELL ON STATE EXAMS

2008-10-31T01:09:00.000-07:00

Well, it looks like parents and children and school leaders in La Grange have something to brag about, as their public schools scored some impressive rankings in the 2008 Illinois Report Cards, according to data released just a few hours ago.

Rankings show each school fared compared to schools statewide, while percentiles compare that school's scores to those of other schools who took the same test(s).

Out of 654 schools taking the Prairie State Achievement Exam, Lyons Township High School placed 32nd out of 654 best performing high schools on the PSAE across Illinois, racking up a 74.3 percentile. LT, with campuses in La Grange and Western Springs and serving students in a much larger geographical area, ranked just below Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn and just ahead of Lincolnway East High School in Frankfort. The best performing school on the test was Northside College Prep in Chicago -- with a 99.3 percentile.
(The PSAE is taken by juniors and includes the ACT, taken to determine if students are academically prepared for college and the workplace)

On all state tests, LT ranked in the 74.3 percentile at 2,177th among 3,698 schools statewide.

On the Illinois Standards Achievement Test, District 105's Spring Avenue Elementary School ranked 53rd out of 3,097 grade and middle schools, at the 97.3 percentile.

So how else did La Grange schools perform on the ISAT? Quite well:
District 107's Pleasantdale Elementary in unincorporated La Grange ranked 71st at 96.7 percent; Cossitt Elementary was 205th at 94.7; Ogden Avenue Elementary was 224th with a 94.4; District 106's Highlands Middle and Elementary schools in the Highlands ranked 261st and 262nd, with a 94.0 each, respectively and District 105's Seventh Avenue Elementary came in at 529th with a 91.3.

Park ranked 608th with a 90.6 percentile and Forest Road was at 967th at an 87.7. (ISAT is a state test taken by 3rd to 8th graders that uses some questions used nationally)

On all state tests, we know how LT did and it had a higher ranking than both Riverside-Brookfield in Riverside (2,192) and Argo Community in Summit (3,511). But the grade schools fared much better. Again these are rankings among 3,698 schools statewide.

District 105's Spring Avenue Elementary came in 42nd with a 97.2; Pleasantdale Elementary was 67th with a 96.5; Cossitt was 198th with a 94.5; Ogden Avenue was 229th with a 94.2 and Highlands Middle and Elementary ranked 251st and 296th, respectively, with a 93.9 and 93.4 percentile. Park Junior High was 584th at 90.5; Seventh Avenue Elementary was 611th at 90.3 and District 105's Gurrie Middle School was 892nd with an 88.0.

In La Grange Park, Forest Road Elementary came in at 918th with an 87.8 and District 95's Brook Park Elementary was 945th with an 87.6.

Overall, Pleasantdale was 43rd in the top 50 middle schools in Illinois --more than twice as well as its 2007 ranking of 89th. Its '08 percentile was 75.70.

LT TEACHER GETS AWARD

2008-10-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

Lyons Township High School Physical Education teacher and Eurythmics Dance Troupe sponsor Terry Wethington (center) was presented with a Teacher of the Year award by the Western Springs VFW Post 10778 Commander Vincent Huml (left) and Past Post Commander Fred Rodriguez. Wethington was thanked for his tireless dedication to students over the past two decades.

FLOODED WITH PRIDE (AND DONATIONS)

2008-10-21T19:55:00.000-07:00

The Student Council at LyonsTownship High School raised $5,000 during recent Homecoming festivities to help residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast with flood relief.

Through the sales of "Floodbuster" t-shirts and Mardi Gras beads, students carried out a campaign to teach peers about the ongoing needs of people in areas hit by recent hurricanes while simultaneously raising money for worthy charities -- to promote their overall goal of increasing school spirit and teamwork.

They also set aside a buck from every Homecoming dance ticket sold for the cause.

This year’s theme, Mardi Gras, lent itself toward this goal, as Student Council members knew there was still work to be done in New Orleans and surrounding areas as part of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. And, only a couple of weeks into the planning of Homecoming, the Gulf Coast was hit by Hurricane Ike, the effects of which were felt here at home.

SchoolsCount, an organization currently helping 13 Galveston, Texas grade schools get back into session after horrific damage from Ike, received $2,000, which bought supplies ruined by the storm, such as music and physical education equipment and everyday classroom necessities.

The remaining money is being donated to an organization called Katrina’s Angels, an agency committed to helping families who are still rebuilding their homes since the storm hit in 2005.

WHAT A DAY FOR A PARADE

2008-10-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

Residents through parts of La Grange and Western Springs who step to the curb or go to the neighborhoods surrounding Lyons Township High School's North and South campuses will enjoy the annual Homecoming Parade starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11.

The 90-minute procession, which kicks off in the North parking lot on Cossitt Avenue between South Gilbert and Brainard avenues in La Grange, will go south on Blackstone Avenue and west on Goodman Avenue then south on Clausen Avenue in Western Springs to 47th Street -- at which point it will pass through the Garden Market shopping center before breaking up in front of the South Campus on Circle Drive.

Paradegoers will not be able to park or use roadways along the route for the duration of the morning parade as a safety precaution.

The sophomore and varsity football games will follow the parade festivities in the South campus stadium.

CHURCH JOB SEARCH AID OFFERED

2008-10-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

Job-seekers will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with a human resources or job search professional when three Catholic churches in La Grange and Western Springs host a joint resume review program at the St. Cletus Education Building from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.

The 20-minute review sessions will offer area residents suggestions on improving the descriptions of their objectives, education and work history and related resume topics.

Business pros will explain the current resume style, how to make them key-word friendly, targeted, clear and concise and of a professional appearance, how to format such documents and make them focused on accomplishments.

The program -- to be held inside the flagpole entrance of the school at 600 W. 55th St., La Grange, is a collaboration between St. John of the Cross in Western Springs, St. Cletus and St. Francis Xavier, also in La Grange.