What’s recently happened?
The River Forest High School Ingots (RF) are getting ready for its four-day Thanksgiving weekend, but before the big break, the RF Band gave a fantastic performance at Valparaiso University, playing classic and exciting songs to make the crowd go wild. Valparaiso University invited the band to perform on November 27 at the Boys Basketball game where the team played against Northern Illinois University. The RF band is known to play at its high school basketball games, performing at both girls' and boys' games.
The RF band is getting ready for its winter concert coming up on December 12. Good luck, RF band kids.
What’s coming up?
The RF PTO staff annual Christmas Breakfast Holiday event is coming up on Saturday, December 14, at 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Parents and kids will enjoy a special breakfast made by RF’s chef.. The National Honor Society and Juntos 4-H kids will also come out to help with the crafting and face paint stations, assisting the little ones in enjoying all the fun activities. There is rock painting, snowflake decorating, face painting, and the coloring station.
Last but not least, the kids and parents get to meet Santa Claus right after the big breakfast. Come down this Saturday and take a picture with Santa while enjoying some delicious breakfast.
Staff spotlight:
Allison Kraft is the ESL grades six-12 teacher at RF. She has also been the Juntos 4H coordinator for almost a year now. Her career experience began at Governors State University, where she majored in early education with a minor in English as a second language. She has been living in Indiana for about four years, having recently lived in Illinois as well.
Kraft was inspired to work as an ESL teacher because she heard it had a diverse population. She also wanted to continue her knowledge as an ESL teacher, viewing it as a significant stepping stone.
Kraft's inspiration to help students dates back to her early experiences.
“I love being able to make a difference," Kraft said.
She also saw the high demand for ESL teachers and decided to join the field, recognizing how many parents and students needed assistance.
"No matter the obstacles, keep going and prove to yourself that you can accomplish great things despite the odds,” Kraft said.
Thank you so much for your hard work, Kraft!
Student spotlight:
Stephanie Villa is a senior at RF this year who is known for her uplifting personality and great intelligence. Villa is involved in various clubs at RF, such as Juntos 4H for four years, National Honor Society for two years, and Spanish Club. Some of her school achievements include the Principal Honor Roll since freshman year and excellent performance awards for AP Environmental Science, Chemistry, Spanish, and English.
Villa has always liked going to RF.
“It’s a community that’s willing to help you,” Villa said. “The staff is truly there to help, support, and listen to students to help them become better learners. They are determined to help their students succeed.”
Her hobbies outside of school include spending time with her family as well as her church community. At school, she’s involved with helping Hispanic students who face difficulties due to language barriers by assisting them with their work and translating assignments.
Villa wants to take the big step and go to college at Indiana University Northwest to major in Nursing. She wants to enter the field to help people who struggle with language barriers and hopes to assist in translation for those in need.
“I am strongly motivated by the desire to help people,” Villa said.
Her role models are her siblings and parents, as their hard work is admirable to her.
“Their dedication and determination to strive for what they truly want is something that drives me to be a better person,” she said.
After graduation, she wants to become more involved in her church and her community in general. She aims to find more volunteering opportunities to become more engaged.
Some advice she would give to younger students is to focus more on themselves rather than their friends and to prioritize what truly makes them happy.
“To my Latino students, always be determined to achieve your goals,” Villa said. “Never give up despite any comments you encounter, and know now that there are many opportunities out there waiting for them.”
