#1StudentNWI: Starting a New Chapter at River Forest

#1StudentNWI: Starting a New Chapter at River Forest

The Beginning of Senior Year for the Class of 2019

Senior year means many lasts are quickly approaching for the class of 2019: last first day of school, last homecoming, last time wearing a uniform as an Ingot, and much more. For many seniors the realization that this will be their final year in the halls of River Forest has become incredibly apparent as the first day of school gets closer. August 14, 2018, will be the first day of school for River Forest students, a day that will be filled with a lot of emotions and excitement for students, teachers, and families.

“Welcome to your senior year, it’s going to fly by,” the senior class sponsor, Jessica DeRolf, exclaimed to her new group of seniors.

A lot has changed for the Class of 2019. The 14-year old that entered the building on his or her very first day of high school in August of 2015 is not the same as the one that will leave the school behind in 2019. Their attitudes, interests, and preferences have changed and ambitions to make an impact on the world have been discovered.

High school, with all of its ups and downs, has shaped the class of 2019, along with all the alumni and current students. River Forest High School has a profound effect on the seniors even though many have not realized it yet. It’s a difficult realization to leave this school behind and move onto the next chapter, although many are very excited to take the next step.

River Forest High School has formed many into the people they are today through hardships and reality checks, and help from the staff. The friends met along the way, stresses and hardships overcome, and accomplishments made molded the senior class. Teachers that are so familiar to each and every one in the small school have given so much to the senior class to help them achieve their goals. Surely they deserve recognition for the part they've played in each studen'ts growht and development over time.

While the prospect of leaving is scary, there is a silver lining. The thought of new experiences and strange people is a chance for a new beginning. Far or near, River Forest will always carry a special part in everyone's hearts.

River Forest High School will be missed. The experiences and accomplishments made throughout four years as an Ingot are never to be forgotten. Regardless of where the Class of 2019 all ends up, we are all connected by the fact we are Ingot Strong.

Ingot Athletics Fire Up For The Fall

River Forest’s athletes have been hard at work all summer long preparing for the fall season. Volleyball, football, and cross country teams have been putting in a lot of work per usual, but River Forest is also introducing a new sport this fall: soccer.

The girl's soccer teams have been training all summer preparing for their first season under Coach Warshall and Coach Whitt. The soccer program will be competing as a junior varsity squad and will enter the Greater South Shore Conference as a varsity team next year. They competed in several scrimmages over the summer and picked up the program’s first-ever victories.

The volleyball team returns with high ambitions after a sectional runner-up finish last season losing to eventual state champions, Andrean. This year the volleyball program welcomes a new coach, Larry Babcock, who has high expectations for his squad this season. The girls have competed in several scrimmages over the summer against Merrillville, Portage, and Wheeler. They also attended the Dunes Team Camp for four days where they competed against many teams from three different states. The summer was filled with a lot of competition before starting the official pre-season on July 30. This year the varsity squad returns most of last years team including five seniors. Ingot volleyball will kick off the season on August 13, 2018 in Bill Logan Gymnasium against Oregon-Davis.

The cross country team also has a new coach, Lauren Erickson. This year the cross country team consists of some talented runners including last years semi-state qualifier, Destiney Pratchett. They have been working throughout July into August preparing for their first meet on August 11 in Crown Point.

Last but not least the football team is also coming into the season with a new coach. Former Merrillville coach, Joe O’Connell takes over the program after the team suffered the loss of a talented group seniors. The guys start off their season with a scrimmage on August 10, 2018 on their home field against Gavit.

After all the hard work the athletes have been putting in this summer be sure to keep an eye on the Ingots this year, everyone loves a good underdog story.