School performance, donations, contest and more.
Waukegan
Feast: Waukegan High School Music Department’s annual Renaissance Feast (Madrigal dinner) will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 at 2325 Brookside Ave. A whimsical evening full of music, food, dance and much merriment. Students in the music department will entertain and feed their guests all evening in this one-of-a-kind dinner performance. Cost is $20. To procure tickets, contact Jennifer Wagner at [email protected]. All tickets must be ordered by Thursday. Tickets will not be available on the night of the performance. Details, 224-303-1200 or email [email protected].
Contest: For the sixth consecutive year, Cooke Magnet School was named the winner of the Waukegan Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Contest. Cooke earned the honor by having the most students participate in the competition, which challenges students to sign up at the library to read 30 hours during summer break. It is open to all public and private elementary and middle schools in Waukegan. Cooke had 108 students sign up for the contest, and 40 of the students successfully completed the challenge. As the winning school, Cooke retains possession of a traveling trophy awarded to each year’s top school.
More Top Picks Best Amazon Prime Day 75 Inch Tv Deals 2026
Mundelein
Concert: All four of Mundelein High School’s concert bands will be featured in a free concert at 7 p.m. Thursday at 1350 W. Hawley St. The groups performing include the Symphonic Band, Honors Symphonic Winds, Honors Wind Ensemble and the Concert Band. Jerald Shelato and Andrew Sturgeon direct the instrumental music program. Details, 847-949-2200, ext. 1552.
Boutique: Mundelein High School’s vocal music groups will host a Santa’s Workshop Craft and Gift Boutique from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the school. Admission is free. More than 30 vendors will be on hand offering a variety of merchandise and services. Santa Claus will be available to take photos with children or adults and/or pets for $3. Dogs must be on leashes to enter the building. Raffle prizes will also be available with tickets for $1 or six for $5. Throughout the event, MHS show choirs will perform holiday songs. Details, 847-949-2200.
Clinic and show: Mundelein High School’s Orchesis Dance Club will hold a youth dance clinic at 1 p.m. Sunday followed by their holiday dance show at 7 p.m. Monday at the school. Cost for the clinic is $15, and $10 for those who attended the fall clinic. All participants will perform in the show. Cost is $4 and $3 for seniors and students with ID. The show will feature dances choreographed and performed by MHS Orchesis members, PE dance students and MHS alumni along with the community youth performers. Details, 847-949-2200.
Donations: Mundelein High School will serve as a drop-off site for Toys for Tots. The collection is being coordinated by the MHS SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) organization. Area residents are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 18 to the box located just inside the main entrance to the high school. MHS student groups will be competing with each other to see who can donate the most toys. Details, 847-949-2200.
Recognition: A video created by a Fremont School District 79 team of educators was recently awarded honorable mention in the nationally acclaimed Digital Innovation in Learning Awards (DILA). The highly competitive DILA received more than 400 entries for a select few awards. Digital Innovation showcases technology innovation in learning. Fremont was recognized for its “Media Center of Tomorrow” video.
Twitter @newssun