Swallow Cliff DAR lauds JROTC cadets from Oak Lawn, Palos
The Swallow Cliff Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently bestowed DAR JROTC awards to students participating in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs at Shepard High School in Palos Heights and Richards High School in Oak Lawn.
The award, which includes a medal and certificate, was presented to Richards High School student Osasumwen Okungbowa and Shepard High School student Deztini Dickerson. According to a news release, the awards are given to “cadets of outstanding ability and achievement who have demonstrated qualities of loyalty, patriotism, dependability, leadership and good character.” The students must also have “a record of military and scholastic achievement during their participation in the JROTC program,” the release from the Swallow Cliff group stated.
Oak Lawn-Hometown students have a service day
More than 90 eighth graders from Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School visited Richards High School in Oak Lawn last week for a Service Day.
Students created positive messages with chalk in front of both the faculty and main entrance, made fleece blankets for pediatric cancer patients at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn and designed prom cards asking Richards students to make healthy decisions on the night of the dance.
SSC baseball coach hits 1,300 wins
South Suburban College head baseball coach Steve Ruzich won his 1,300th baseball game in late April, picking up the 10 — 2 victory over Elgin Community College.
Ruzich has been the head baseball coach at South Suburban College for 37 years, compiling a win/loss record of 1,300 and 766 (.629). More importantly, he has helped guide over 340 student athletes to 4-year institutions. Under “Coach Ru,” the Bulldogs have had 24 players drafted, and produced 5 big leaguers.
“The 1,300 wins is about the players that have been part of this program for the past 37 years,” Ruzich said. “I am also proud that we have done it the right way. Since I was a player, I always wanted to compete against the best teams, and those 1,300 wins have come against some great competition.”
Before taking over the Bulldogs program at age 24, Steve played two years for Thornton Community College (now South Suburban College) and later was drafted in the 30th round of the 1985 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox.
Southland Prep celebrates at ‘All-In’ college rally
Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park recently celebrated for the tenth consecutive year that all members of its senior class have been accepted to college.
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During an “All-In” event, Southland College Prep officials announced the class of 2023 at the predominantly African American school earned $60 million in merit and need-based scholarships.
Southland seniors were admitted to 42 of the top 50 national universities and liberal arts colleges in the country, including class valedictorian Hailey Love, who was admitted to a school record of five Ivy League schools and selected as a Gates Scholar, one of the most prestigious scholarships in the country, that will provide her with 100% of college costs. Love has been offered more than $4 million in scholarships.
Road construction set for Dixie Highway, 127th Street
The Illinois Department of Transportation said a culvert replacement project on Dixie Highway at 151st Street in Harvey will require lane closures beginning May 15. The road will be reduced to one lane in each direction at 151st Street. The project is anticipated to be completed in November.
Work already has begun on cleaning and painting of the CSX Railroad bridge over 127th Street in Blue Island, requiring lane closures there as well. The road is reduced to one lane in both directions approaching the bridge. The work is expected to be complete in July.
Motorists can expect delays, IDOT said.
Summer reading program with prizes open to everyone
The Orland Park Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge takes place from June 1 to July 31 for everyone, with or without an Orland Park library card.
Library officials said the free program includes entertainment, and chances to win prizes by reading books and completing activities to fill in a challenge log. The grand prize is a karaoke machine and other prizes include free food coupons from area restaurants and basket filled with spa goods.
The challenge begins June 1 and the official kickoff weekend is June 10 and 11, with entertainment including juggling, musical bingo, the rolling video game truck and cold beverages and Windy City Dueling Pianos.
Registration and more information is at the library, 14921 Ravinia Ave., or at https://orlandparklibrary.beanstack.org/.
Summer walking program offered in New Lenox
A summer walking program for older adults will return this summer to the New Lenox Commons. Seniors with Sole meets from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursdays from June 6 to July 27 at the performing arts pavilion, 1 Veterans Parkway.
Registration is free for the program, which usually includes a short stretching session followed by participants walking at their own pace around the New Lenox Commons. For each session attended, participants will earn raffle tickets for prizes that will be awarded at the last session.
More information is with Daniel Martin, New Lenox safe community coordinator, at 815-462-6493 or [email protected].
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