Protecting the Frank Chester Traveling Trophy on Senior Night
The cross town rivalry between River Forest and Edison could be one the most underrated rivalries in The Region. The classic clash of the town has been going on since 1949. But, since the two schools are only two and a half miles apart and both represent 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.
The Frank Chester Traveling Trophy is a long-standing ritual between the two schools and each year the winner of the game takes it home for the year. As of Friday night, the trophy will remain at River Forest for the fourth year in a row. With a final score of 47-20, the game stayed relatively close all night until the Ingots shut the Eagles out in the final quarter, scoring 3 touchdowns in the final 15 minutes.
Friday night was not only an exciting night because of the beloved cross-town rivalry but it was also senior night for River Forest athletes. Family and friends celebrated the careers of all our fall athletes before the football team’s last home game. The class of 2019 has had a great impact on Ingot Athletics over the past four years and they will be dearly missed next year.
Homecoming Week Recap
Homecoming week has come and gone with another successful, fun-filled week. The student council members and class officers put in a lot of hard work to put everything together, and they were finally able to see all their hard work come together. It is a very difficult process to plan homecoming but the students were all hands on deck, working nonstop to bring River Forest a great homecoming week, and they did just that.
Homecoming week started on Monday, September 17 and ran through Friday night when the football team took on Roosevelt on home turf. Student council and class officers worked together to decorate all the fall athlete’s lockers and the foyer area, covering the school in cardinal and gold, showing as much school spirit as possible.
Once the week started, the halls were filled with many creative outfits, from zoo day, tropical day, frat/sorority day, throwback Thursday, and of coarse, cardinal and gold day. Fun activities also took place throughout the week like the annual Battle of the Classes dodgeball tournament that was won yet again by the undefeated senior class. There was also a homecoming parade after school on Thursday featuring all the sports teams, court nominees, class floats, and the Golden Ingot Pride Marching Band.
On Friday the school had it’s annual pep rally at the end of the school day. Students showed their school spirit and supported the athletes. Everyone enjoyed themselves and had fun as they competed for last minute spirit points. Ultimately, it was announced that the senior class racked up the most spirit points throughout the week, taking the imaginary spirit crown for the second year in a row.
Lastly came the homecoming game as the Roosevelt Panthers came to town. During halftime of the game all court nominees made their entrance before the winners were crowned. This year the underclassmen princesses were: Tatiana Madrigal, Sarita Smith, and Summer Collins. Their Princes were: Jeremiah Walker, Jorge Almaraz, and Michael Cozart. Finally the 2018 senior Homecoming king and queen was announced: Ariana Nieves and Cody St. Pierre. Also, the football team was able to pull out their first win of the season with a final score of 32-22.
Homecoming week was a great success. Special thanks to the class sponsors, administration, and everyone else involved for all your hard work in helping this week run so smoothly.
Student Spotlight
This year’s senior class is filled with a lot of outgoing students, one of them being Brianna Smith who has been actively involved in the band, National Honor Society, and tennis programs.
Smith’s favorite part of high school has been being drum major her senior year. Throughout the summer and school year she worked alongside her directors to help lead the band during the marching band season. During concert band she also help lead by playing in the brass section.
“I’ve learned a lot from being drum major and its made me appreciate my teachers more,” Smith stated.
As the first portion of senior year is moving quickly, Smith is looking forward to the memories that are yet to come along with her life after high school.
“I’m really looking forward to taking our senior trip in May but I’m also hoping to get accepted into my dream school, Purdue West Lafayette,” Smith started when asked what she is most excited about in the rest of her senior year.
Smith is hoping to attend Purdue next fall to work towards a career in nursing. However she knows she’s going to be leaving behind a special school filled with all the teachers who have pushed her to be the best she can be and helped her reach her dreams.
Teacher Spotlight
Michael Burns graduated from Valparaiso University and is a second year freshman English teacher and publisher of the school newspaper. Burns is most known around the halls for his love of Star Wars and his witty personality.
Most freshman are scared to come into high school but Burns likes to take a little bit of the high school pressure off by making his students laugh. Regardless, Burns creates a enjoyable learning environment for his kids.
Burns also spends time after school with the school newspaper staff and helps them publish a monthly paper. With the help of his editor-in-chief, he is able to run a successful newspaper with limited members.
Whether you see Burns dancing in the hallway every Friday or just outside his classroom door, he is always looking to bring a laugh. Burns is a very appreciated part of the River Forest staff and works very hard to see his student succeed.