What’s recently happened?
The junior class sponsored River Forest’s Rustic Romance prom on May 13. This event was hosted at Whispering Oaks Event Venue in Demotte, and it was definitely one for the books. From cornhole games, roasting marshmallows, to taking endless pictures with your friends in the photo booth, it could easily be seen as one of the most creative and beautiful proms River Forest High School (RFHS) has seen to date.
Everything from the venue to the centerpieces only elevated the country inspired theme with some prom guests even rocking their cowboy hats and boots. The night was definitely one to remember with Tyler Lockhart and Kayla Merced being crowned King and Queen of the night. However all of this couldn’t have been possible without this year’s sponsor Christine Barnes going above and beyond by planning and making sure all of the upperclassmen could have a prom to remember.
What’s coming up?
Graduation is just around the corner for our seniors and this means saying farewell to close friends, captains, role models, presidents, and leaders that have represented and made an impact during their high school careers at River Forest High School. Graduation will be taking place this year in the High School gym on June 7 all day. The class of 2022 will surely be greatly missed.
Staff spotlight
Lauren Erickson-Vega, who has been teaching at River Forest High School for 15 years, is highly regarded as the RF High School/Middle School choir and theater director. What many don’t know is that she not only fills these shoes, but also the Cross Country and Track Teams' shoes!
What motivates Erickson-Vega to juggle all these responsibilities is seeing her girls’ improvement.
“It’s all about self improvement and you may not be the biggest star out there as long as you’re improving on what your best is all that matters! Watching people like, look I did three more inches in this event or I took a second off my time! Seeing the excitement of them improving themselves every single day," Erickson-Vega said.
When asking Erickson-Vega how it feels to have such an impact on her students’ and athletes' lives everyday, she shared about some of the small moments that leave an impact. “It actually weighs on you. The little things you do could make a huge difference," said Erickson-Vega. "You can have a huge impact on someone’s day with just one little action or thing that you say or do.”
The students at RFHS have impacted Erickson-Vega in so many different aspects of her life; everyday is different and she learns so much from her students.
“Some teachers often don’t let the kids teach them. It’s cool to get to know them as people and I don’t think we take enough time to get to know our students and athletes to help them grow as people," Erickson-Vega said.
Erickson-Vega is still an active runner at the age of 40 and just recently completed an 80 mile relay with her friends across the state of Illinois. She is now training for two upcoming marathons where she will be biking and running her way across the finish line.
“You can stay active. The activities you do in high school, don’t stop them. Continue them!” said Erickson-Vega.
Student spotlight:
D’Andrea Franklin - or 'Dee' as many know her - is River Forest’s very own track star with her time in the 100-meter dash coming in at 12.71 seconds and her 200-meter dash coming in at 26.94 seconds. Franklin has been running for a total of seven years and is the fastest sprinter in not only RFHS but in the conference altogether. She has accumulated many awards, ribbons and medals during her time in high school and surprisingly not just from track.
During her time at RFHS she has been a part of volleyball, cheer, and of course track and field with her holding the position as varsity captain of the cheer and track team.
When asked what she loved the most about track and why she thought she was so highly successful in the field Franklin discussed some of her favorite parts.
“I like running because it gives me peace of mind, it’s like stress relieving for me. When I go running I don’t feel anything like my mind is clear and I get first place so I guess I have to be good at something," said Franklin.
Franklin’s big plans after high school are to run for Purdue Northwest’s track and field team and study to become an oncologist. RFHS will be celebrating her signing to PNW on June 2 in the high school gym with PNW’s track and field team in attendance. Franklin displays the traits of a humble hard working athlete and I think I speak for RFHS when I say we can’t wait to see the great things she’s bound to accomplish next.