Crisis Center for South Suburbia Auxiliary steps up after luncheon canceled
The Crisis Center for South Suburbia’s Auxiliary, a fundraising arm of the local nonprofit that is dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence in the Southland area, usually hosts a spring luncheon to raise funds for programs and services.
But after the fundraiser was canceled for the last two years because of the pandemic, auxiliary members organized a Spring Bring collection drive, hosting several drop-off locations throughout the Palos and Tinley Park areas to collect food items for people living in the Crisis Center’s shelter and community-based apartments.
They collected hundreds of food items, gift cards, and over $600 in donations.
The auxiliary also organized eight catered meals for the 30+ shelter residents at the Crisis Center. Four of the meals were paid for by the auxiliary or one of their members, and the others were a result of donations from local restaurants and community members. Country House Kitchen in Alsip donated two of the meals and the Palos Heights Women’s Club donated two other meals.
“The Crisis Center Auxiliary has been helping meet the needs of victims of domestic violence since 2009 and has donated more than $120,000,” said Lorri Nagle, director of development. “Their generous hearts are nothing short of incredible.”
Crete Woman’s Club awards scholarships
The Crete Woman’s Club recently presented four $2,000 college scholarships and one $1,500 technical trade scholarship to worthy 2021 Crete Monee High School seniors.
Recipients of the college scholarships were Tyler Gralewski, Austin Hofman, Victoria Banuelos and Magali Souffrant. The technical trade scholarship recipient was Isaiah Hopkins.
Evergreen Park Library hires new director
The Evergreen Park Public Library Board voted to hire Frank Murray last week. Director Nicki Seidl is retiring at the end of June.
Murray grew up in Evergreen Park, graduating from St. Rita High School and Eastern Illinois University before acquiring a master’s degree in library science from Dominican University. He lives in Evergreen Park with his wife and two children. He was director of Itasca Community Library for the past two years.
Jane Dempsey new principal at Oak Forest High
Jane Dempsey was named the new principal of Oak Forest High School last week by the Bremen High School District 228 Board. Current Principal Brad Sikora was named the district’s superintendent in March.
Dempsey received her bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Eastern Illinois University and master’s degrees in counseling from Eastern Illinois University and educational administration from Governors State University.
She is assistant principal of teaching and learning at Oak Forest High, but has served the school for the last 28 years, from 1993-2006 as a guidance counselor, and from 2006-2016 as the assistant principal for student services.
Dempsey will be the first female principal in the 50-year history of the school. She begins July 1.
She says she is “looking forward to guiding Oak Forest High School as we emerge from the pandemic smarter, stronger, and more resilient.” Dempsey also added that, “the most important goal as I begin this job will be to reestablish a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose for our students.
Dempsey, grew up and still lives in Tinley Park.
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Derrick Smith new principal at Sandburg High School
The High School District 230 Board unanimously approved the hiring of Derrick Smith as principal of Sandburg High School. His job begins July 1.
Smith’s ties to Sandburg go back to his days as a student there, according to a release from the district.
Upon graduation, Smith attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to earn a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He earned master’s degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and St. Xavier University. He completed doctoral coursework in literacy, language and culture from the University of Illinois at Chicago and recently completed a doctorate in leadership and learning in organizations at Vanderbilt University. His research focuses on the influence of Advanced Placement coursework on students’ college-readiness achievement.
Smith joined District 230 as a staff member in 2005 as an English teacher. He later was division chair for English and music and has been associate principal of Instruction since 2014.
Cook County Jail takes second in international chess tourney
online international chess tournament against individuals in custody in Armenia, Spain and Russia, coming in second place.
Seven people in custody at the Cook County Jail competed last week in an online international chess tournament against people in custody in Armenia, Spain and Russia, coming in second place, according to a release from Sheriff Thomas J. Dart.
The tournament began with opening remarks from 12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov. After a six-match, round robin competition, Russia was declared the victor with a total of three match wins. Cook County, representing the United States, came in second place with two match wins.
“Chess is more than an entertaining past time, the game teaches its players valuable life lessons,” Dart said in a release. “It requires these men to practice critical thinking and the consider the risks and rewards of their decisions, which are valuable skills they can take with them when they return to their communities.”
The Cook County Jail’s chess program started in 2012 and has hosted numerous chess dignitaries over the years, including Karpov. There are 14 participants in this program, which meets for an hour each week to practice.
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