Marist alumnus shares football experiences
Palos Heights resident Pat Coogan, who’s a prospect in the NFL draft, recently spoke to students as part of Marist High School’s Leadership, Literature & Film speaker series, sharing his insights in how to succeed at college athletics and other areas of life.
Coogan, who graduated from Marist in 2001, played football at the University of Notre Dame, which was runner-up nationally, and at Indiana University, where he helped lead the team to a national championship and was named Rose Bowl MVP.
He spoke about managing the rigors of being a student athlete and said he’s always been proud to be from Marist.
“My dad went here, my three siblings went here, my uncles went here. It’s really a part of who I am and it’s the foundation of what I am about,” he shared with the class, per a news release.
Coogan said NFL coaches have reached out to his former Marist coach, Ron Dawczak.
Theater guild, high school present ‘Shrek the Musical’
Fans of “Shrek the Musical” have two options this month to see the show because it’s being presented by two area drama organizations.
The show is based on the Dreamworks Animation movie and the book by William Steig.
The Beverly Theatre Guild performs the musical at 7:30 p.m. on April 25 and 25 and at 2 p.m. April 25 and 26 at the Baer Theater at Morgan Park Academy, 2133 W. 111th St., Chicago. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $23 for military members and $18 for guild members, students and seniors. Buy them at beverlytheatreguild.org or 773-284-8497.
Students at Alan B. Shepard High School present the show at 6:30 p.m. April 23 to 25 and at noon April 25 in the school auditorium, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Buy tickets online at www.onthestage.tickets/show/
IPO to honor Music Educator of the Year at gala
The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra will present its Music Educator of the Year award to Stacy Williams-Jackson as part of its 48th anniversary gala on April 25 at the Olympia Fields Country Club.
Williams-Jackson, orchestra director at Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way West high schools, department chairman and president of the Illinois Music Education Association (2023-29), is the second person to receive the award, which honors music educators from kindergarten through college who teach in schools, as private music instructors or community programs.
Her career includes teaching music with District 210 since 1997. She created an adaptive music class still taught in the district. She leads the Lincoln-Way Central jazz band program, advises the Lincoln-Way Central chapter of the Illinois Music Honor Society and is producer and director of the Lincoln-Way Rock Orchestra in the summer.
“Educators like Stacy Williams-Jackson are the reason this award exists,” said Christina Salerno, executive director of the philharmonic orchestra in a news release. “Truly great educators do more than just teach —they make an impression on the lives of young people and Mrs. Williams-Jackson has done that tenfold.”
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“An Enchanted Evening” features harpist Lisa Tannebaum and the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres start at 6 p.m. followed by dinner, a live performance and music and dancing. Tickets cost $200 per person and can be bought at ipomusic.org/ipo-gala-
Orland Park Library to host discussion on Electoral College
The League of Women Voters Palos Orland Area and the Orland Park Public Library will host “The Electoral College: A Relic?” at 6:30 p.m. on April 22 in Room 104 at the library, 14921 Ravinia Ave.
Members Janet Musil and Meg Peo will give historical context and encourage a discussion about the Electoral College as part of the library’s America 250 series in honor of the country’s approaching 250th anniversary.
Registration is required for this free program. Sign up online at bit.ly/4sPnyte. Information is at 708-428-5100.
Local authors visit Green Hills library
Seventeen local authors will participate in an author and book fair from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on April 22 at the Green Hills Public Library District, 10331 S. Interlochen Drive, Palos Hills.
The authors represent several genres, including mystery, romance, young adult, children’s picture books, graphic novels and nonfiction. Attendees can meet authors and buy signed copies of books, as well as discuss the writing process and the importance of storytelling and literacy.
The keynote speaker is Amy Gail Hansen, who wrote “The Butterfly Sister” and the upcoming “Happier Here With You,” which will be published in July. The free event is open to the public and requires no registration. Information is at greenhillslibrary.org.
Quilters hear about fashion from years past
The Chicago Historical Costume Society will present “World’s Fair Fashion” at the next meeting of the Heritage Quilters Guild of South Suburbia, set for 6:30 p.m. on April 21 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 651 E. 166th St., South Holland.
The talk follows a brief business meeting. Members are invited to bring vintage quilts to display. Information is at www.heritagequilts.org.
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