High schools throughout Lake County are turning on their stadium lights Friday night as part of a nationwide display of solidarity with the community amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Schools in Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Mundelein and Vernon Hills have been hosting events and organizing projects to support their communities since the start of the pandemic, which forced schools in Illinois to close March 13.
The latest initiative for most schools will last 20 minutes. Schools will be turning on their stadium lights Friday evening for 20 minutes to recognize health care workers, first responders and other essential workers, as well as students, including the Class of 2020, according to numerous school districts.
For Friday’s event, some of the schools are encouraging residents to participate by turning on their porch lights or hanging signs in windows.
The north suburban schools and communities participating tonight includes:
Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools in District 128 will be turning on their lights for 20 minutes, ending at 8:20 p.m.
Mundelein High School (District 120) will be turning on their lights for an hour at their athletic field. They will light four light posts, each honoring a group in the community.
Lake Zurich High School will turn their stadium lights on for 20 minutes. Officials said they also will be using a drone to capture footage of the display and plan to post a video on District 95’s website.
Township High School District 113 in Deerfield and Highland Park will be turning their lights on at each school stadium for 20 minutes, starting at 8:20 p.m.
Lake Forest High School (District 115) will turn their lights on starting at 8 p.m. at Varsity Field.
Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire also will be turning their stadium lights on at 8 p.m. and keeping them on for 20 minutes.