Matteson administrator deemed Educator of Year
Matteson School District 162 Superintendent Blondean Y. Davis, who also serves as CEO of Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park, was presented with the Educator of the Year award from the America’s Big Sisters Foundation during its annual Champions for Youth Awards Luncheon held recently at Wind Creek Casino in East Hazel Crest.
The event, hosted by foundation founder Tragil Wade-Johnson, sister of NBA legend Dwyane Wade, recognized 13 women whose mentorship, service and leadership have affected young people.
Davis was honored for her more than 40 years of education leadership and commitment to helping young people gain opportunities. She has raised millions of dollars for the United Negro College Fund and led the Board of Trustees of Tougaloo College, a historically black college in Mississippi. During her tenure, Southland has earned an “exemplary” designation, the Illinois State Board of Education’s highest, for six of the last seven years and had 100% of its graduates since 2014 accepted into college.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the America’s Big Sisters Foundation,” Davis shared via a news release. “Helping young people discover their potential and achieve their dreams has been life’s greatest privilege.”
Annual Faith Walk benefits The Servants Project
The Servants Project’s third annual Faith Walk steps off at 10 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m. Sept. 12 at 14750 S. Ravinia Ave. in Orland Park.
The event raises money to support individuals who are homeless, provide tutoring scholarships for middle and elementary school students, and deliver comfort care packages to mothers who have had miscarriages.
Motivational moments led by community leaders, vendor booths, raffle prizes and networking opportunities will be available. Walkers can choose between the John Humphrey Trail or the on-site track.
Participants can register as a walk for $25 or donate to the event by giving money, goods or services to the nonprofit organization. Team options also are available. Sign up at www.theservantsproject.org or 815-450-9444.
50th reunion events planned at Stagg HS
People who graduated from Stagg High School during the bicentennial in 1976 are invited to celebrate their 50th reunion on Sept. 18 at the Palos Hills school.
Tours will be given at 4:30 p.m., followed by the football homecoming game at 6 p.m. and gathering for drinks, pizza, appetizers and an open bar for $60 per person afterward at Durbins in Palos Hills.
Committee contacts are Loree Kowalis, Renee Ferrall and Denise Walz. Make a reservation by Sept. 10 by calling 708-598-8881.
Student trustee joins MVCC board
Moraine Valley Community College gained a new student trustee for 2026-27 when Palos Hills resident Dalayna Stevenson was sworn in at a recent board of trustees meeting.
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As a trustee, she serves as a liaison between students and the board, and she hopes to provide more resources and support for students with financial struggles.
The Simeon Career Academy of Chicago alum began attending Moraine Valley in spring 2025 and is pursuing an associate’s degree in nursing, with completion expected in spring of 2028. Stevenson’s ultimate goal is to own her own midwifery practice. The mother of one works as a paramedic for Elite Ambulance.
Evergreen Park students gain leadership insights
Ten Evergreen Park Community High School students were among hundreds of middle school and high school students learning leadership skills at the Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute’s annual conference at Eastern Illinois University this summer.
Charlotte Mankowski, Izayah Lewis, Cam Brennan, Bruce Negron, Ryan Brennan, Jamari Jeffries, Emily Mills, Taylor Black, Zoey Leech and Abigail Mahone heard motivational speakers and joined group activities and breakout sessions.
Jeffries, a junior, earned the institute’s Alumni Scholarship award “for his commitment to a healthy lifestyle and his enthusiastic approach to the CGTI experience,” per a news release.
100+ Women Who Care meets in Lockport
The next quarterly meeting of 100+ Women Who Care of Will County takes place 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at Coom’s Corner, 1225 E. 9th St. in Lockport.
At each meeting, members nominate charities, and three are chosen at random. After a brief presentation, the women vote on which one to support by each writing a $100 check to that charity. Teams of two or four are welcome to join. Nominated charities must be in Will County and serve its residents, as well as having nonprofit status. Information is at https://www.100wwc-will.org.
Will County offers Trail Club walks
Trail Club with the Forest Preserve District of Will County meets from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sep. 24 at Headley Valley – Gougar Road Access in Joliet.
Walkers can join a free weekly hike in the preserve’s 2.5-mile crushed limestone loop. October walks will be 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 7 to 28, at Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve in Wilmington, and November walks will be 9 to 10 a.m. Sundays, Nov. 1 to 22 at Hammel Woods in Shorewood.
All ages are welcome to join the walks; no registration is needed. Those who participate in at least four walks this fall earn a sticker. Information is at ReconectWithNature.org or 815-727-8700.
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