Homecoming Week at River Forest
Homecoming week at River Forest High School kicked-off on September 11 and wrapped-up on September 15. Despite having little time and encountering some major setbacks, the class representatives and student council pulled it off without a hitch.
Tuesday was the first eventful day as the classes were all competing to have the best hallway and to prevail in the class dodgeball tournament later that night. After the seventh hour bell, hallway decorating commenced. Students worked for over three hours in their class’ designated hallway. Immediately after hallway decorating concluded, students took their class spirit to the Bill Logan Gymnasium for the Battle of the Classes Dodgeball Tournament.
On Thursday the school took their Ingot pride to the streets for the homecoming parade. Everyone stepped-off at 3:30, led by the Lake Station Police Department and followed by the marching band and auxiliary. During the parade all homecoming court nominees rode behind each of their class floats. Also seen in the parade were the cheerleaders, football team, volleyball team, and some school sponsors and supporters.
Throughout the day on Friday, excitement was on the rise as the pep session came closer and closer. At 1:30 the wait was over, and the band, auxiliary, and cheerleaders all took to the hallway for the traditional snake. As they went past every classroom, students and teachers joined the end of the snake and were led into the gym. The pep session was filled with games, performances, introductions of fall athletes, court introductions, and the battle cry. At the end of the pep session, all the homecoming week winners were announced based on spirit points earned throughout the week and during the pep rally. With all points tallied, the junior class collected the most spirit points and claimed first place. After school, everyone began preparing for the homecoming football game against South Central. Before the game, Senior Allen Evans was awarded the 2017 Mr. Football, and then the game was underway.
At halftime, the homecoming court drove onto the track. First, the underclassmen princes and princesses were crowned. Sarita Smith, Tony Franco, Rachel Pratchett, Jordan Branik, Mariyana Magana, and Ryan LaFollette were each crowned prince and princess of their class. Next the senior homecoming king and queen were announced, and Erika Cervantes and AJ Garza were crowned. Afterwards, the Ms. Ingot Volleyball Award was given to Seniors Erika Cervantes and Idalis Alvarez before the marching band took to the field for their halftime show.
After the game came to an end, students took the spirit back to the gym for the homecoming finale in the school’s very first homecoming dance. Students had fun with their friends without pressures of finding a date or a fancy dress. Students came as they were and kept the fun going until midnight to end a successful homecoming week.
River Forest Football Takes Home the Frank Chester Traveling Trophy
The cross town rivalry between River Forest and Edison could be one the most underrated rivalries in The Region. The classic rivalry has been going on since 1949, but, since the two schools are only two and a half miles apart and are both representing the small community of Lake Station, it is not like the average big-school rivalry that is seen on the front of every newspaper. At the end of the game, both teams know everyone on the opposing sideline.
Each year, the Frank Chester Traveling Trophy is on the line, and the winner of the game takes it home for the year. As of Friday night, the trophy will remain at River Forest for the third year in a row. With a final score of 14-8, the Ingots came out big in the second half, which shut down the Eagle’s momentum.
The real love came when the Ingots returned to their home field. The guys stood in a heart-shaped formation, and a love song played over the loudspeaker. River Forest Head Coach Michael Robinson pulled out a ring and got down on one knee in the middle of the heart as he asked for his girlfriend’s hand in marriage.
The Ingot family not only took home the trophy Friday night, but they also welcomed Kristina White, Robinson’s new fiancé, to the the family.
Breast Cancer Awareness at Dig Pink Night
Every year at the beginning of October, The Bill Logan Gymnasium is taken over by the color pink for the annual Dig Pink game hosted by the volleyball program. This year the teams wore their pink uniforms along with customized pink socks with the RF logo on them. The game was played with pink volleyballs, and the referees also showed up in pink IHSSA referee polos.
Between the junior varsity and varsity games, players recognized loved ones who are currently fighting the battle, won the battle, or who unfortunately lost the battle against breast cancer. Each player honored their loved one with a pink flower to show their love and support. Those chosen by a player to be honored were invited with free admission to the game.
This year’s Dig Pink game was played on October 2 against Hebron at River Forest High School. The program sold t-shirts during school and at the game, andthey hosted a bake sale during the game to raise money for the cause.
Student Spotlight: Allura Nikollaj
Allura Nikollaj is a freshman at River Forest and was part of the Junior High Spell Bowl team when they took the title of State Champions at Purdue University. Besides academic team, she also participates in volleyball, cheer, and would like to play tennis this spring. In her free time she likes to enjoy nature with her family and dogs.
Nikollaj is one of the top students in the class of 2021. She received a 4.0 GPA throughout her junior high career and hopes to continue that in her high school career. Nikollaj enjoys being a part of and representing the River Forest community, and she does it pretty well.
“Being part of a smaller school, everyone knows each other, and it just feels like you’re part of a big family, like a home away from home,” Nikollaj said.
After high school Nikollaj plans on graduating from college with a degree in pediatrics. Although she is undecided on where she will attend college, she will undoubtedly be successful wherever she ends up in life.
Teacher Spotlight: Tony Brooks
Tony Brooks is the energetic chemistry teacher found in the main hallway at River Forest. He has been teaching science for ten years between schools in Indiana and Illinois. Brooks is also married and raising his two kids, Tony Jr. and Emily.
Aside from teaching, Brooks coaches the varsity wrestling team, where he coached one of his athletes to be the first wrestler in program history to qualify for the state finals. He also coached three girls in their first year of wrestling, and they qualified for Indiana’s first ever girls’ wrestling state finals. Additionally, fishing is his favorite hobby, and he sponsors the River Forest Fishing Club.