Davis one of 8 inducted into the Illinois Black Hall of Fame
Blondean Y. Davis, superintendent of Matteson School District 162 and founder and CEO of Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park, was one of eight Illinois trailblazers inducted June 18 into the Illinois Black Hall of Fame at Governors State University in University Park.
The Illinois Black Hall of Fame, which is hosted by Governors State University, was launched virtually last year with a mission to honor the past, celebrate the present and inspire the future in an effort led by Ceola Barnes, founder and president of the African-American Ladies’ Legacy Foundation.
The first class included historian, author and civil rights activist Timuel Black, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., Spencer Leak Sr., the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and the late aviator Bessie Coleman.
This year’s class was unveiled during a Juneteenth celebration that included performances at GSU’s Center for Performing Arts by the Southland College Prep choir and dancers and Southland alumni Bri’Yon Watts.
A veteran educator who over five decades has changed the lives of generations of young people, their families and their communities, Davis helped found Southland College Prep in 2010, where the class of 2022 earned a record-breaking $62 million in merit-based scholarships.
Davis accepted her induction into the Illinois Black Hall of Fame on behalf of “all teachers who make an indelible difference in the lives of their students every day.”
Other 2022 Illinois Black Hall of Fame inductees are retired president of the Illinois State Senate Emil Jones; Chicago Crusader publisher and editor Dorothy M. Leavell; Linda Murray, past president of the American Public Health Association; John W. Rogers Jr., chairman of Ariel Investments; Derrick Taylor Jr., president of Black McDonald’s Operators; philanthropist Willie Wilson; and Jeremiah Wright, pastor emeritus of Trinity United Church of Christ. State Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin, the first African American woman to serve as mayor of Olympia Fields, and Tracey V. Bell, CEO of the FM Omni-Channel, also were honored as Black Women of First Distinction.
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Hillcrest High School names new administrators
Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills hired Ronald Towner as principal. The former athletic director at Oak Forest High School, he has spent the past 18 years with Bremen High School District 228.
Hillcrest also hired Eric Washington, former athletic director at Bremen High School in Midlothian, as associate principal. Former district supervisor for math Amy DiForti, is the new assistant principal of Teaching and Learning, replacing Maurice Young, who was hired as the school’s athletic director. Former Special Education teacher Maricha Matthews is the school’s newest dean.
Towner, a 1992 graduate of Stagg High School in Palos Hills, started in the district as an English teacher and head boys track coach at Hillcrest for eight years the became athletic director at Oak Forest for 10 years.
“I’m excited to see what we can do to bring Hillcrest High School to new heights,” Towner said. ” I’ve been back since January, and I quickly remembered why Hillcrest is such a special place. Great students and a great staff.”
O’Rourke named principal at St. Germaine in Oak Lawn
Philip O’Rourke has been named the new Principal of St. Germaine School in Oak Lawn. He had been assistant principal and taught Social Emotional Learning classes and coached the 8th grade girls’ basketball team.
Born in New Orleans and raised in Lexington Kentucky, he is the son of two educators and the only one of his siblings, all of whom are twins, to follow in his parents’ footsteps.
“Being in education has always felt right. My passion stems from helping students grow and I’m inspired and motivated by our faculty. If I can support our teachers and allow them to better focus on their instruction, I’ve done my job correctly,” he said.
Beverly area Garden Walk is Sunday
The 3rd Annual Beverly/Morgan Park Garden Walk steps off Sunday from the Edna White Community Garden, 1850 W. Monterey Ave.,
Check in begins at noon with mapping and addresses of multiple homes chosen for this year’s walk, which ends at 5 p.m. The rain date is July 17.
“Enthusiasm has been more robust than ever,” said Mary Jo Viero, executive director of the Beverly Area Planning Association. “Edna White Garden was a welcome surprise last year for garden enthusiasts and proved to be a wonderful port of entry to our historic community and dramatic gardens.”
Featured gardens are located throughout the neighborhood.
Each stop is distinctive for its style, variety of plantings, and unique beauty. Each location will host an experience including food and beverage tastings, music and garden specialties, organizers said.
Tickets to the Beverly/Morgan Park Garden Walk are $30 in advance at bapa.org or $35 at Edna White Garden on the day of the tour. Gardens are open 12 to 5 p.m. Information is at 773-233-3100 or [email protected].
Disaster preparedness training offered in Palos Park
The Palos Park Police offer a Community Emergency Response Team 20-Hour Basic Course for village residents starting Sept. 7. The Course is free and will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on seven Wednesday evenings with a final exercise and graduation Oct. 29.
The CERT Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations including basic first aid. Information is with Officer Frank Flores at [email protected].
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