Winter Athletes in the Spotlight
The winter sports season is coming to an end with senior night right around the corner. It's been a very successful season to reflect on and Ingot athletics has a lot to be proud of.
February 13, on senior night, Ingot athletics will provide much deserved recognition to the class of 2018 basketball players, wrestlers, cheerleaders, and auxiliary members. Congratulations to: James Dabney, Erika Cervantes, Bradley Groover, Josh Reno, Zach Yost, Zane Yost, Ariana Martinez, Idalis Alvarez-Loza, Is’Rayanna Talbert, Taejah Smith, Angelica Goodman-Morales, and Patience Mores.
Wrestling has had an impressive season deserving of recognition. After the sectional tournament, five Ingot wrestlers, Javier Bugla, Bradley Groover, Zach Yost, Zane Yost, and Nick Brock, advanced to the Hobart regional the following week. During Saturday’s regional it was set that Groover would advance to the East-Chicago semi-state in hopes of returning to Indianapolis for the state finals. As for the girls wrestling team, River Forest’s one and only girl, Destiny Cable, took third place at the second annual Indiana Girls Wrestling State Finals in late January. Also, take note that it is Cable’s first year as a wrestler.
Lastly, the varsity cheerleaders are preparing to defend their championship title as they take on the Hobart High School Brickie Invitational on March 5. Some of the cheerleaders competed at the LaPorte Invitational for the stunt off competition and McKenna James, Marcella Perez, Emma Clare, Desirae Yanez, and Mariyana Magana took home the medal.
River Forest had a really strong winter season by all teams with some upsets and rivalry victories, the future looks bright. To end the season Ingots will be cheering the men’s basketball team to a hopeful sectional crown in an extremely tough sectional 33. Before you know it the spring sports season will be here for another strong season.
Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier
On January 30, 100 River Forest students ventured all the way to Chicago to see a performance of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Them and around 400 other students all packed into the Courtyard in the Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier. River Forest English department makes this trip every year to see a different show and this year’s trip consisted of one of the first performances put on in the new courtyard.
Following the performance all the students in the audience were able to ask the actors any questions they had about the performance or acting experience. Actors shared everything from the audition experience to an interesting story behind the cues used in the show.
“The show used sign language as cues because I am deaf and it is their way of communicating with me and incorporating a piece of who I am into the show,” Andrew Saenz, the actor behind the role of Demetrius, answered after an audience member asked about the sign language cues he noticed throughout the show.
After an enjoyable performance, students were able to discover Navy Pier on their own. Whether it was tasting Chicago deep dish pizza for the first time or seeing the city from a new angle on the classic Navy Pier field trip, everyone had a great time and made some lifelong memories.
Performing Arts Students are Heading to State Solo and Ensemble Competition
It’s Solo and Ensemble season for performing arts students and with high ambitions, River Forest put forth some of the best that the choir and band programs have to offer.
On January 27, four choir soloist, under choir director Lauren Erickson, qualified for the state competition on February 17, in Indianapolis. Congratulations to: Talia Woods, Monce Morales, Trey Edmaiston, and Joey Lumbly.
“All the students that participated that weekend did so well and represented River Forest with pride. I can’t wait to see how the state finalists do in a few weeks. I am so proud of them,” Erickson stated.
The band program also qualified an ensemble for the state competition on February 24, also in Indianapolis. The percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Julie Jachimczak, performed El Cumbanchero and received a gold rating. Congratulations to percussion ensemble members: Brianna Smith, Gabe Fragosa, Megan Bucko, Michael Sullivan, Billy Burt, Ramon Baez, Antonio Rodriguez, Morgan Enochs, Trinity Stiles, Thea Burt, Eliezer Concepcion, Cardin Sanders, Chris Stewart, and Audrianna Concepcion.
“Everyone worked really hard on their music and improved as musicians. I am very proud of everyone's efforts and I am looking forward to working with the students on improving for the next level at state,” Jachimczak stated.
Good luck to all performers in the coming weeks!
Teacher in the Spotlight
Nate Reed first came to River Forest last school year during the second semester to take over one of the science teacher positions. He now teaches AP biology, AP Earth science, and Earth space science, providing challenging and rigorous courses for students who excel in science. River Forest is the one and only place Reed has taught so far and he was initially hired two weeks before his graduation from Purdue Northwest.
“I wasn't familiar with River Forest whatsoever, but my cooperating teacher at the time convinced me to go for the interview experience if nothing else. While touring the school, I was deeply impressed with the kindness and sense of community the students demonstrated. Many of those same students that impressed me with their friendliness later became my first students, and I'll always cherish my time with them,” Reed stated.
A unique part of River Forest is that their is a beautiful forest right behind the school and Reed took advantage of that and brought the ecology club to the students. He aids his students in community service projects to help preserve the forest and also guides them through hikes to simply appreciate nature. Although Reed loves natures he absolutely loves to be able to connect with his students which has led him to love teaching at River Forest.
“When I think about River Forest, I don't think of a building or lesson plans; I think of the students who have shared their stories and struggles with me. The perspectives and experiences I've heard are nothing like my own, and I think that's allowed me to grow as a person, developing a deep sense of empathy and appreciation for my students and pride in my work as an educator. My experiences at River Forest have been much more than a job to be done, and I don't believe it's an exaggeration to say that they are an integral part of who I am today,” Reed stated.
Reed is a beloved part of the River Forest community and is loved by many of his students who have a new appreciation for science.