New Lenox Junior Warriors win football title
The New Lenox Junior Warriors football team capped off a successful season with a league championship win in the lightweight division.
They were crowned River Valley Youth Football League Champions in the lightweight division following a 10-1 season record. They won the championship game 7-6 final over Frankfort Falcons Blue.
Lightweight players are made up of third, fourth and fifth graders.
Another New Lenox team, the Junior Knights, battled their way to second place in the River Valley Youth Football League in the junior varsity division after a 9-2 season. Junior Varsity players are sixth and seventh graders.
In addition to the championship teams, the New Lenox Youth Football Association had 16 players named to the All River Valley Youth Football Team, including Junior Warriors: Anthony Cartolono, Jacob Howard, Kaden Walz, Bronson Burge, Brady Glynn, Max Silic, Thomas Shanahan and Collin Kannenberg; and Junior Knights: William Brennan, Quinn Cannon, Anthony Cordell, Luka Dimitrijevic, Aidan Noto, Luke Rossow, Evan Vogt and Jadon Zimmer.
Saint Xavier student publishes young adult fantasy novel
Saint Xavier University political science student Myah Bawadi has published her first book, “Infinity Legion.”
This young adult fantasy novel tells the story of Soleil Yamanu, a soldier who craves power and must prove her worth while an ancient prophecy threatens her efforts. Through her journey, Soleil learns how much she stands to gain and how much she could lose in her quest for power.
“As an avid young adult fantasy reader, I’m always searching for the next book that will give me the special feeling you can only find in fantasy, and I think my book gives readers that feeling,” Bawadi said. “It’s filled with magic, prophecy, immortals, and battles and is full of twists and turns. It’s very special.”
Bawadi likes to think of her book as a combination of everything she loves. Inspiration struck for her during National Novel Writing Month in November 2021, where she penned 35,000 words. Her first draft was completed in January at well over 130,000 words. After sending off her manuscript to agents, she was swept into the world of publishing and is grateful for her team of editors, cover designers, formatters and artists, and she’s especially thankful to have learned so much in the process and create something meaningful for others.
“I put my entire heart and soul into writing this book,” Bawadi said. “It features a Middle Eastern main character, which is not a common occurrence in the fantasy genre. I’ve craved representation my entire life, and when I didn’t get it, I decided to write it into existence myself, working through my own life experiences. In a way, I feel like I’ve written the book I’ve always wanted to read.”
Bawadi, who also minors in criminal justice, is vice president of SXU’s Political Science Forum and an active member of the Pre-Law Association. She is a member of Students for Justice in Palestine and the Muslim Student Association. During her freshman year, she founded SXU’s Drama Club. She has many favorite memories from her time at SXU, especially the Drama Club’s production of “The Great Gatsby,” which she cowrote, codirected and acted in.
Bawadi, who will finish her degree at SXU early, plans to attend law school and become a lawyer. She is currently selecting voices for the audiobook and working on the second book in the “Infinity” series, enjoying diving back into the world she created. Her hope is for the series to be a trilogy.
“Infinity Legion” is available wherever books are sold.
Three area students performed at Augustana
Mokena’s Grey White, New Lenox’s Jessa Simon and Orland Hills’ Maggie Caliendo are among the Augustana College students who performed “Cabaret,” Nov. 17-20.
Palmer College of Chiropractic summer 2022 dean’s list
Kyle Zajac, Frankfort
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Palmer College of Chiropractic fall 2022 new enrollees
Alsip: Nahui Salgado; Midlothian: Daniel Kadlec
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