Richards grads get individual ceremonies
While health authorities now allow schools to host group graduations, administrators at Richards High School in Oak Lawn chose to repeat the individual commencements that proved so popular last year.
Principal Mike Jacobson received a wave of positive feedback from families after organizing individual graduation events for the Class of 2020. Families loved the intimacy, according to a release from Community School District 218.
So, for 18 hours over the course of May 19, 20, and 21, the Class of 2021 received their diplomas.
Each senior could bring up to 10 people, all of whom needed to wear a face mask.
With the Performing Arts Center stage decorated beautifully with flowers and balloons, administrators took turns reading the names of graduates.
After having their name read, each senior walked across the stage to receive their diploma from fathers, mothers, grandparents or any other person they chose.
Smile, laughs, kisses, and tears followed.
Will County offers Small Business Grants
Will County will begin accepting applications for grants of up to $10,000 from local small business owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through its Small Business Grant Program. Businesses in highly impacted industries, such as restaurants, bars or taverns, events or performing arts venues, museums, and fitness centers will be given preference.
Similar to the CARES Act funding that was disbursed last year, this program has certain eligibility requirements, specifically a business must be in operation before February 15, 2020, have gross annual revenue under $5 million, and fewer than 50 employees. Other criteria is listed on the county website, www.willcountyillinois.com\\COVIDbizgrant.
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To date, Will County has provided nearly $21 million in grants to more than 1,400 small businesses.
OLCHS artwork displayed at OLPL
Oak Lawn Community High School photojournalism students are displaying work at Oak Lawn Public Library. The theme “Love Where You Live” was inspired by students studying and virtually chatting with renowned Chicago photographer Barry Butler.
Each photo captures beauty around Oak Lawn.
Students are also challenging residents to photograph the beauty of their hometown and share it on social media with the hashtag #lovewhereyoulive.
“Love Where You Live” is exhibited on the first floor of the library, 9427 South Raymond Ave.
Scholarship contest aims to empower, inform communities
South Suburbs for Green Space over Concrete is sponsoring a Scholarship Essay Contest to demonstrate its commitment to environmental justice in the Southland, particularly in communities of color.
The scholarship asks applicants to research the problem of environmental racism, examine how it affects the health and overall well being of communities of color, and explore steps that communities can take to protect the region.
The scholarship is open to local graduating seniors at Hillcrest, Thornwood, or Homewood-Flossmoor high schools. Applicants must have a 2.0 grade-point average, be admitted to a college or trade school and demonstrate a financial need. Applicants will be required to write a 300-500 word essay addressing the topic of environmental justice.
SSGOC will award three separate scholarships of $1,000. The essay portal will open June 1 and will close June 30 with the essay winners being announced in early August.
More information is at [email protected] or www.ss4greenspace.org.
Frankfort offers downtown fishing derby
Frankfort’s annual “Get Hooked on Frankfort” catch-and-release fishing derby will be June 12 at Prairie Park in downtown Frankfort. Participants will have the chance to win prizes in a friendly competition for the largest fish caught and the most fish caught per age group.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. for the 3 to 7 age group and participants will fish from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. for the 8 to 12 age group for fishing from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
Registration fee is $3 for residents and $10 for nonresidents and includes a T-shirt, drink and snack, fishing hook and bait. Fishing poles are not provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Daughters of American Revolution group seats leaders
The Swallow Cliff Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution installed its new slate of officers for the 2021-2023 term.
They are Lynn Gray of Oak Lawn as regent, Gale Shafer of Orland Park as vice regent, Linda Laciak of Orland Park as chaplain, Sara Ward of Lemont as recording secretary, Ellen Stutz of Palos Park as corresponding secretary, Audra Gary of Oak Lawn as treasurer, Eles Miller of Orland Park as registrar, Linda Michaels of Orland Park as librarian, and Marilyn Earnest of Oak Forest as historian.
The NSDAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization dedicated to preserving American history, securing America’s future through better education and promoting patriotism. More information is at [email protected].
Cancer Support Center sets Walk of Hope Week
The Cancer Support Center celebrates cancer survivors, supports those living with cancer and their caregivers, and honors those we have lost at its first ever Walk of Hope Week June 20-June 27, turning its usual Walk of Hope into a weeklong event allowing walkers to participate at their own pace, in any location, with others or on their own.
Walk of Hope Week starts with an in-person walk June 20 at Commissioners Park, 21972 S. 80th Ave., Frankfort, and ends with another on site event June 27 at the CSC’s Homewood location, 2028 Elm Road. Virtual participants can walk anytime and anywhere.
On-site participants both days have two starting times, 9:30 and 11 a.m., to maintain social distancing guidelines, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A new addition this year is a Pinwheel Garden of Hope for walkers to honor survivors or remember ones lost to cancer, according to the agency. Pinwheels are available for purchase for $10 and will be displayed at a walk location.
Registration is now open on their website at www.cancersupportcenter.org
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or by phone at 708-798-9171, and will be open the day of the events. Registration costs $35 per adult 19 and up and $15 for youths. All include a Walk of Hope T-shirt.Send news to [email protected].