Around the Southland: Andrew Wind Symphony hits right note at SuperState, more
Victor J. Andrew High School band students once again were chosen to play in the state's premiere band festival in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois in Champaign.
The high school's Wind Symphony played at the 2025 University of Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival, which serves as the state championship for concert bands. About 80 ensembles submitted applications that included a recorded performance, and 24 high school bands were asked to perform at SuperState.
Andrew students also marked a first this year – being chosen as the Class 2A Honor Band, which means they will return in 2026 for a feature performance. They performed 'Galop' by Dmitri Shostakovich, 'Over the Moon' by Frank Ticheli and 'Deep River' by Benjamin Horne.
'I'm just really proud of the kids,' Director Mark Iwinski shared in a news release. 'They play so musically and have a desire to play some of the best repertoire in the best places.'
Reservations are being taken for the free event Hike the Freedom Trail, set for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 7 at the boat launch at Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve, 134th and the Little Calumet River.
Seating is limited for the program, which features expats providing a historically accurate story from experts of the Midwest Underground Railroad Network about the hundreds or even thousands of escaped slaves known as 'freedom seekers' who traveled on the Underground Railroad in the Chicago area's south region prior to the Civil War. One site is the farm owned by the Jan Ton family, which is near Beaubien Woods.
The tour, sponsored by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Calumet Heritage Partnership, includes a bus ride and a moderate hike. Dress for the weather. Sign up online or call 773-370-3305 or email tonfarmugrr@gmail.com.
Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park recognized all 145 graduating seniors during its 12th All In celebration, noting that once again all of them were accepted to college and earned $50 million in scholarships.
For the first time, four seniors earned scholarships from the newly created Kwarteng Foundation, which honors Alex Kwarteng, of Matteson, who immigrated to the United States from Ghana in the 1980s. His daughters, Lisa, Amy, Sandra and Esther Kwarteng, established the foundation, which awarded $10,000 in scholarships to four 2025 graduates of Southland College Prep: Itohan Salami, Terri Mensah, Dhayra Gomez and Kehinde Sowemino, who was class valedictorian. Amy and Esther Kwarteng are Southland alums.
In addition, 10 Southland seniors were admitted to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with full-ride scholarships worth $2 million, and as a result of the growing partnership with the two schools. Two graduating seniors, Rickaiya Bernard and Mofuluwake Arogundade, earned a cumulative total of more than $750,000 in scholarships to top universities from the QuestBridge National College Match Program.
Celebrate local artistry and entrepreneurship during Rhythm & Roots: An Artisan and Entrepreneur Showcase from noon to 4 p.m. at the Up House – Building D, 13811 S. Western Ave., Blue Island.
The event highlights live music from recording artist Gregory Echols and a lineup of wellness experiences, small businesses and tastemakers such as Spa in Your Space, Health Hair Institute, The Chi Concierge, Make Us One Productions and The Entrepreneur Expo.
Participants can connect with Black-owned brands, enjoy wellness experiences and discover handcrafted goods, all while experiencing live music. Tickets cost $25 in advance at eventbrite.com or $30 at the door.
Adults 50 and older can socialize with friends and neighbors at 3:30 p.m. June 6 at the Green Hills Public Library, 10331 S. Interlochen Drive, Palos Hills.
Puzzles, coloring sheets, board games and coffee will be available during the program. Information is at 708-598-8446.
The annual Kickoff to Summer Celebration sets sail from 3 to 8 p.m. June 1 at Briedert Green in downtown Frankfort, featuring a theme of 'All things yacht rock.'
A DJ splints turns starting at 3 p.m. with hulu hoop contests, limbo challenges, classic lawn games and a water balloon toss planned. Bubble Captain Jason Kollum will provide a sea of bubbles from 3 to 5 p.m., and a balloon artist and face painter will entertain kids 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
From 5 to 6 p.m., the first 500 guests will receive free homemade popsicles from La Michoacana de Frankfort. A mini car show from the Frankfort Car Club will highlight iconic vehicles from the 1970s and '80s. The Yacht Rock-ettes will play soft rock hits from 6 to 8 p.m. Details are at www.frankfortil.org.
Sire Holloway, of Chicago, a senior at Marist High School in Chicago, has earned The Gates Scholarship, one of the country's most competitive scholarships for minority high school seniors who show exemplary leadership.
Holloway plans to major in computer science at Howard University. While at Marist, he was a member of the National Honor Society, president of the Black Student Union and an active leader at the school.
The Gates Scholarship, which fully covers college tuition and room and board, is presented each year to 'exceptional student leaders from low-income, minority backgrounds, helping them realize their maximum potential.
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