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Chicago Tribune
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Ron Harrigan named Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra's first music educator of the year
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra's annual gala typically celebrates the performing arts organization's achievements, but this year's event also will honor someone else's accomplishments. Soaring Strings on April 26 at Olympia Fields Country Club includes the presentation of the inaugural music educator of the year award to Ron Harrigan, director of bands at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park. 'We partner with many of the schools and we find there is a lot of great work being done in the Southland,' said Roosevelt Griffin, education and community engagement director for the Park Forest-based orchestra. The inaugural honoree was determined by Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra executive director Christins Salerno, Griffin and his fellow Education and Community Engagement Committee members, including the namesake of the Marilynn Tannebaum Youth Music Education Institute. Judging criteria included impact within the school and community as well as ongoing display of musical excellence, especially the actual process of music making. 'I was ecstatic, shocked, honored and felt extremely humbled,' Harrigan said. 'I felt an expectation or a larger duty that I need to uphold the honor. It motivated me to push myself a bit more, do more research for the students, study more, study harder.' When Southland College Prep opened in 2010, Harrigan was the band director for two years while also teaching at Huth Middle School in Matteson. After being full-time director of bands at Huth, Harrigan returned to Southland College Prep part time in 2017 as associate band director and became full-time director of bands in fall 2020. 'His way of teaching is such an engaging transformation. Within the confines of an actual classroom he is able to get the most out of his students,' Griffin said. 'He's a great example and mentor for a lot of newer teachers who don't have a lot of funds and are looking to do the same thing with their programs.' Born and raised in the British Virgin Islands, Harrigan leads 130 Southland College Prep students in five main troops: marching band, wind ensemble, concert band, jazz ensemble and percussion ensemble. The school also has smaller chamber groups including bass ensemble, flute ensemble and clarinet choir. The Southland College Prep Charter High School marching band and Lady Eagles were invited to WorldStrides' Orlando Heritage Festival at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, where students performed Saturday during the first overnight trip the school had for the band. 'We establish a structure of leadership within the band itself where we have different leaders teach others around them and uplift those around them,' Harrigan said. 'It goes beyond learning how to play an instrument or learning how to sing. They learn how to work with each other when problems arise.' His wife, Diana Wiley-Harrigan, is choir director at Bloom High School and Bloom Trail High School, both in Chicago Heights, and was choir director at Sauk Elementary School in Richton Park. Their oldest son, Nathaniel Wiley-Harrigan, is a top high school trumpeter pursuing a career in jazz trumpet performance and their youngest son, Noah Harrigan, plays violin and is learning piano through Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra. 'Sometimes teachers have a lot of challenges so not only do we want to actually celebrate what they're doing to encourage students but we want to encourage other educators and teachers,' Griffin said. 'We see what you're doing. What you do matters. You're making an impact. We want to celebrate you.' The black tie optional Soaring Strings celebrates Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra's 47th season via a silent auction with online bidding, The CoverGirls Violin Show, cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and music and dancing until 10:30 p.m. on April 26. Proceeds benefit the orchestra's artistic and educational programs. 'Attendees of the gala believe in Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra's mission because we believe in education. We want attendees to know not only the great work we're doing within our education department but all the great educators making an impact with students,' said Griffin, of Matteson. Harrigan, of Crete, also made history with Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra in March, when he conducted Southland College Prep Charter High School jazz ensemble's first opening act performance in the Ozinga Chapel Grand Lobby in Palos Heights before the orchestra's concert at Trinity Christian College. Another way Harrigan helps students is by hosting historically Black colleges and universities auditions at Southland College Prep for his students and others in the community while music educators and musicians are in Chicago for the annual Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. 'We thought it would be a good idea to get them all in one place to hear students in the south suburbs as well as Chicago,' said Harrigan, who has taught music collectively for nearly 18 years. Harrigan explained that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School in Chicago also serves as a HBCU band audition site during The Midwest Clinic, which typically takes place in December. 'Part of our goal at Southland College Prep is to prepare the kids to go to college. Unfortunately. some of our students don't have the means to fly out of state to do some of these auditions,' Harrigan said. 'We try to do everything in-house for our students especially those who are in need.' According to Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, its educational programming reaches more than 4,000 schoolchildren of all ages each year through offerings such as Artists in Schools, Meet the Maestro, Meet the Musician, coachings and guest artist visits. Upcoming programs include All-Star Wars Youth Concert, recommended for third graders to eighth graders, at 10 a.m. and noon on April 22 at Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts in University Park. Soaring Strings When: 6 p.m. April 26
Chicago Tribune
05-03-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Around the Southland: Richton Park students promote safe driving, new dean at Sandburg, more
Teen ambassadors promote safe driving SafeLIGHT Foundation teen ambassadors led town hall meetings with their peers at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park to discuss the responsibilities and risks that come with teens driving. Nine Southland students act as ambassadors. Teen ambassadors use leadership skills to serve as safe driving ambassadors within their high school communities to encourage responsible driving and to develop awareness campaigns for events such as National Teen Driver Safety Week. Southland's ambassadors are Kennedi Baity, Rickaiya Bernard, Milei Catalan, Julia Franklin, Madison Glover, Dejajuan Myers, Kehinde Sowemimo, Meilani Thomas and Sean Thomas. The teen ambassador program at SafeLIGHT Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is sponsored by Donate Life Illinois and Gift of Hope, as well as the Illinois secretary of state's office. SafeLIGHT promotes safe driving behavior through charitable giving to traffic safety programs and people and organizations that support responsible driving. New head dean named at Sandburg Jennifer Legris will begin a new post as head dean at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park on July 1, having been appointed by the District 230 Board of Education. She replaces Lynna Dahlgren, who is retiring after 33 years in the district, her last three years as head dean. Legris is currently assistant principal at Palos South Middle School in Palos Park. Before that, she was dean of students at West Aurora High School. She also spent 14 years as a classroom teacher and math RTI specialist. She has a bachelor's degree in education from Illinois Wesleyan University, a master's degree in child and adolescent development from Capella University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Concordia University. The Sandburg alum is honored to come back to her roots and is looking forward to the new post. 'I am very excited to return to Carl Sandburg as a fellow Eagle!' she shared in a news release. 'Jennifer brings a wide range and a wealth of prior experiences. We are confident these experiences will provide her with the insight necessary to meet and appreciate the everyday challenges of a student's home and school life,' Superintendent Robert Nolting noted in the release. Evergreen Park students honored for artwork Eight students at Evergreen Park Community High School have been recognized as recipients of the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and one student's work is competing on a national level. Ava Chandler's drawing and illustration 'Distorted Portrait' received 'Gold Key' recognition and will be judged nationally in New York City. National medalists were expected to be notified in March. Receiving honorable mention were Nathaniel Novak's digital piece '5 Expressions of Rebecca,' Haley Staidl's photo 'Beach,' Kara Mullen's drawing and illustration 'Distorted Portrait,' Alex Francisco's painting 'Alex H. Francisco,' Marison Prado's photo 'Through Prayer,' Astro Petek's ceramics and glass piece 'Guardian of the Sea,' and Juliana Bosch's drawing and illustration 'What Do You See?' The competition is a national show presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers and is judged in stages by a panel of creative professionals. Students are recognized for 'outstanding merit in originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice and vision,' according to a news release. Denim & Diamonds Dance set for March 14 The Chicago Heights Park District hosts Denim & Diamonds Dance from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 14 at the Chicago Heights West Golf Course, 1112 Scott Ave. Attendees are invited to dress to impress in their denim best. A professional photographer will provide a free digital photo. Tickets cost $30 per resident couple, $40 for nonresident couples and $10 for each additional child; All children 6 and older must be with an adult guest. The cost includes food and music. Tickets are sold at the recreation center, 1400 Chicago Road. For information, call 708-755-1351. Triple R Pets presents info session on outdoor cats Area residents are invited to help outside cats by learning about trap-neuter-return techniques held by Triple R Pets from 10:30 to noon March 8 at the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave. Attendees will learn tricks of baiting and setting humane traps, which are on loan with a fully refundable deposit if they are returned in good condition, as well as how to transport cats safely. A list of low-cost clinics will be provided, as well as information about a caretaker's right to feed and shelter cats in Cook County. Those who attend a workshop receive priority for assistance. Visit or email info@ Triple R Pets' mission is to improve the lives of feral or stray adult cats or kittens in south Cook County and to neuter them to reduce the number of unwanted kittens born outside. It does not run a shelter and cannot relocate or remove cats. Franciscan Health Olympia Fields hosts suicide prevention course A free suicide prevention course is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 13 in Classroom GME2 at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, 20201 S. Crawford Ave., Olympia Fields. The QPR Suicide Prevention Course, or question, persuade and refer, is based on material developed by the QPR Institute and has a goal of reducing suicidal behaviors and saving lives by providing practical and proven suicide prevention training. Those trained in QPR techniques learn how to recognize warning signs of suicide crisis and how to get someone assistance. The course is free but registration is required by March 11 by emailing Justin Davis at or calling 708-855-7692.
Chicago Tribune
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Around the Southland: Students get full-ride scholarships, MVCC art exhibit, more
Southland College Prep students win scholarships to NU, Brown Rickaiya Bernard and Mofoluwake Arogundade, students at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park, have earned full-tuition scholarships totaling more than $750,000 through the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship program. The scholarship includes room and board, books, supplies and travel fees as well as tuition. Arogundade has been matched to Brown University, and Bernard has been matched to Northwestern University. The young women, both immigrants, were chosen from more than 25,500 applicants. Arogundade, of Park Forest, plans to major in biomedical engineering. She was president of the Spanish Club, on the track team and participated in the Finance Club and Model UN. She hopes to create medical devices to stop strokes and heart attacks because her father, Adebayo Arogundade, who came to the United States from Nigeria, died from a stroke in 2019 when she was 12 years old. Her mother, Rachel Taiwo, emigrated from Nigeria when she was 16 years old. Bernard, of Olympia Fields, plans to study biology on a premed track to eventually become a forensic pathologist so she can be a 'detective' and doctor at the same time. Her parents, Richard and Ceava Bernard, came to the United States from Jamaica. Among her accomplishments, Bernard is a mentor for underclassmen in the school's mentorship program, medal-winning competitor on the Speech Team, is head drum major of the 130-member Southland Ambassador Marching Band and plays clarinet in the concert band and wind ensemble. She has participated in Student Council and the basketball, volleyball and track teams. Fiber artist displays work at Moraine Valley art gallery The exhibit 'Structure & Color' by contemporary fiber artist Heather Macali is on display through March 2 in the Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery in the Moraine Valley Community College Fine and Performing Arts Center. The show features work exploring the 'psychology of limitations' through the medium of a single weave pattern. Her pieces 'consider color theory, optical blending, architectural components and yield inspiration from op-art and pop art,' a news release notes. Macali worked in the fashion industry as a print and pattern designer at Abercrombie & Fitch as well as La Senza. She has a bachelor's degree in crafts from Kent State University and a master's degree in textiles from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. The fiber artist and Wayne State University professor lives in Detroit. Admission to the gallery is free. It's open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call 708-974-5500. Learn about Underground Railroad at celebration The Midwest Underground Railroad Network hosts a free Black History Month celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at First Reformed Church, 15924 S. Park Ave., South Holland. Attendees can meet members of the network, formerly known as the Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project, as well as learn about the activities of the Underground Railroad in the area. History, music, drama and storytelling will be included. Information is available at 773-370-3305. Second Southwest Job Fair drew 'enthusiastic participation' More than 1,200 job seekers and more than 100 employers participated in the second annual Southwest Job Fair held in January at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Attendees could submit resumes, engage in interviews on the spot and learn about positions and career paths in a variety of fields, such as food and hospitality, education, manufacturing, health care and finance. Government agencies included Forest Preserves of Cook County, DuPage County Health Department, Cook County sheriff's office, other Cook County departments and police departments in Chicago, Tinley Park, Palos Heights and Orland Park. Mock interviews, professional headshots and individual meetings with human resource professionals were included. Attendees were entered in a raffle for backpacks, laptop computers and gas and gift cards. Caregivers gain support via Zoom with Pathlights Pathlights hosts two free support groups via Zoom this month. Caregivers Connecting meets at 10 a.m. Feb. 19, and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group meets at 11 a.m. Feb. 24. Caregivers Connecting meets monthly and provides a forum to talk with others in similar situations, sharing experiences and receiving words of advice and encouragement. The grandparents group aims to provide encouragement, inspiration and education and resources available for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. To register to receive the link for either Zoom session, visit Information is at 708-361-0219. Police T-shirt quilt raffled as part of pancake breakfast A police-themed quilt created by Mount Greenwood resident Jean Ricker will be raffled off as part of Ald. Matt O'Shea's Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast, set for 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 23 at St. John Fisher's Kane Hall, 10300 S. Washtenaw, Chicago. The quilt, 6.5 feet by 6.5 feet, is made up of Chicago Police Department T-shirts. Raffle tickets cost $5 for one or $20 for five. Buy them by visiting or at the breakfast. The winner needn't be present. The breakfast, in its 11th year, has raised more than $680,000 for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation's Get Behind the Vest initiative, which buys bulletproof vests for officers in the CPD. Admission is $5 per person or $25 for families, which includes all-you-can eat pancakes and sausages donated by the Harrigan family, owners of the Original Pancake House in Beverly.
