Latest news with #TritonCollege
Chicago Tribune
7 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Triton College students push lawmakers for four-year degree bill
Students at Triton College in River Grove recently visited Springfield to lobby for legislation that would allow four-year bachelor's degree programs at community colleges. Johnny Urbina, Triton's director of Student Services, accompanies the group to meet with state senators and representatives. With him were President of the Triton College Student Association Mark Kouria, Deana Andrejko, Paul Talia and Gabriella White. Their mission was to speak with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch, Senate President Don Harmon and Reps. Bradley Stephens and Norman Hernandez. Their hope is a bill that would be passed by 2028 with implementation starting by 2030. 'We explained to Sen. Harmon that offering four-year bachelor's degree programs at community college could bring significant benefits,' Kouria said via a news release. 'These programs could help expand campuses, introduce new majors and create opportunities for additional sports like football.' Fans of antiques will find plenty to look at during the third annual Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds Antiques Show, set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 7 at the DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds, North County Farm Road, Wheaton. The show, featuring dealers from eight states, is presented by the Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association. The admission is $8, with anyone younger than 15 admitted for free. Proceeds benefit historical preservation projects. Parking is free, and food will be available. Information is at Anglers 15 and younger are invited to join the Just for Kids Fishing Derby offered by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County from 8 to 11 a.m. June 8 at Silver Lake in the Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville. The free annual event lets participants compete for prizes in four age groups by catching the largest fish in three species categories. District staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide tips and tricks. Youths may drop in any time during the event, which has no capacity limit. Youths should bring their own fishing gear, although a limited supply of nightcrawlers and equipment will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Children should do most of the fishing, although parents may help. Enter the preserve from the north side of Butterfield Road. Register online at or by calling 630-933-7248 or do so in person that day. Morton Arboretum in Lisle will present Swing for Science from 4 to 9 p.m. June 12, a philanthropic night out at its new Wonder Woods Mini Golf to support the arboretum's science initiatives. The cost is $75 for adults and $35 for children 3 to 17 years old. Tickets include mini golf on the tree-themed course, live music, food and beverages, an interactive science fair and games. The arboretum is at 4100 Ill. 53. Buy tickets online or get information at morton Runner Ava Connerty earned a spot in history recently at the NJCAA Division III OUtdoor Track & Field Championships, becoming the first female track athlete from Triton College in River Grove to win a national title. Connerty, from North Riverside, won the women's 100-meter hurdle race by just two-tenths of a second. 'It's so amazing seeing all of my training pay off in the best way possible. Knowing that I'm the first female track national champion in Triton history is unbelievable,' she shared in a news release. The psychology student also ran in the women's 4×400-meter relay, earning third at nationals with teammates Kinga Antolak, Joaliz Rodriguez and Sandra Saldierna. Learn about the health care power of attorney at a workshop set for 4 to 6 p.m. June 4 at the Carl Fiorito Senior Center, 2601 N. Mannheim Road, Franklin Park. It's presented by Leyden Township and the Veterans Legal Aid Society. Attendees will learn how to prepare a health care power of attorney document, appoint someone to represent them and outline directives for making medical decisions at such time as they cannot do so. Lawyers will be on hand to help participants complete the forms. Registration is encouraged at
Chicago Tribune
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Triton students win at Scholar Bowl, Darien carnival set, more
Four Triton College radiologic technology students earned one of the top honors at the Illinois State Society of Radiologic Technologists Conference's Scholar Bowl, which took place last month in Bloomington. Earning third place were students Isabella Giannoni, Suzette Morales, Adriana Georgiades and Clariza Villa, who received medals, ribbons and a trophy. In the Scholar Bowl, participants had 20 seconds to answer questions that are similar to questions found on their certification exam. The event also included review sessions to help participants prepare for their final board exams. 'This program is very intense and accelerated,' Giannoni shared in a news release. 'The four of us are excited to graduate and end our semester with this achievement.' The radiologic program at Triton College, which is in River Grove, is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and received a full eight-year accreditation in 2022. Information is available online at or 708-456-0300. The city will present a Memorial Day weekend carnival May 23 to 26 at Chestnut Court Shopping Center, at the southeast corner of 75th Street and Lemont Road, Darien. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. May 23, 1 to 10 p.m. May 24 and 1 to 9 p.m. May 25 and 26. People younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian older than 21, and each adult may bring in up to four children. A $20 minimum purchase is required per person except for adults accompanying minors or children shorter than 36 inches tall. Bags must be clear, and no backpacks will be allowed. Individual ride tickets, bought with cash at the ticket box, cost $1 each, $20 for 20 or $40 for 44. Unlimited daily ride specials are available at The cover band Hello Weekend performs a variety of modern hits from 7 to 9 p.m. May 24 to kick off a summer concert series at Tank Park at Cantigny Park, 1 S, 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Cantigny's Beer Garden and Cafe will be open before and during concerts, as well as Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays during the summer, when live music will be available. Other upcoming concerts, all from 7 to 9 p.m., are Billy Elton on May 31, Radio Gaga on June 7, How Rude! On June 14, Anthem on June 20, Think Floyd USA on June 21, DuPage Symphony Orchestra on June 28, Hairbangers Ball on July 5, American English on July 26, West Suburban Symphony Orchestra on Aug. 2, Modern Day Romeos on Aug. 16, Burning Red on Aug. 23 and Sixteen Candles on Aug. 30. Although the concerts are free, parking passes must be bought. They cost $21 per standard vehicle, with higher prices for commercial vehicles, and are available at The 2025 Choral Showcase concert is set for 7 to 9 p.m. May 22 in the auditorium at Oak Park and River Forest High School, 201 N. Scoville Ave., Oak Park. Tickets cost $4.49 for adults and $3.49 for students and older adults. A 3% credit card fee will be applied. Buy them at Information is at 708-383-0700. Lyons Township High School television students earned a student production award known as a Crystal Pillar from the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for Live Sports last month and did well at the 32nd annual Midwest Media Educators Association Video Festival, also in April. Students at the high school in La Grange competed against those from 40 other high schools in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, and Ethan Meur earned multiple awards. He won first place for 'Sleep Deprivation' in Public Service Announcement and for 'Into Glowing White' (with Thomas Norgle and Fendrick Markus) in Seven Day Challenge. Meur took second place for 'Ethan Meur Cinematography' in Cinematography, for 'Higher Calling' in Comedy, for 'How to Make Radio Liners' in Demonstration and for 'Lightsaber Wounds' in Social Media. Meur also received fifth place for 'Higher Calling Trailer' in Movie Trailer and fourth place for 'Thursday Night Kickoff' (with Filip Sokolowski and Aidan Brandstedt) in Talk Show.
Chicago Tribune
19-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
River Forest chocolatier tastes sweet success, earns Wall of Fame nod from Triton College
If the class on making bread had been open, who can say what Madonna Slepicka would be doing these days. But, as it happened, a little over 15 years ago when she tried to enroll in a baking course at Triton College in River Grove, that class was full. She took a course on making chocolate instead. She wanted to try something fun. She'd graduated from Triton with a degree in marketing and accounting and had a career in sales but, as her daughter considered colleges, Slepicka said she was interested in showing her daughter what was available close by and figured a fun cooking course would be an opportunity to show off her alma mater. Her daughter decided to go elsewhere but at age 50, Slepicka ended up with skills that changed her life, switched her career path, inspired a store opening and earlier this month led her to be inducted into the Triton Alumni Wall of Fame. 'While I did like chocolate, I didn't know everything about chocolate until the first day which was in a classroom setting and not in a kitchen,' she said. 'Chef Uzma put up the chemistry and crystallization process of chocolate. She taught me everything about where it's grown, what affects its growth, how it's processed, what to do with it, all the ways to present it and packaging and marketing. That's where I got the passion to go home everyday and do it until I nailed it.' Years later, on a recent warm spring Saturday morning, her store, River Forest Chocolates, was humming — filled with a stream of customers buying treats and staff operating chocolate machines in back and ringing up patrons out front. A sweet chocolate aroma hung in the bright morning sunlight. All because that bread class was full. Slepicka is quick to point out, her business and marketing skills aren't quite retired. 'All those tools I use today,' she said recently, between customers. 'I use the accounting; I use the marketing; I use the sales; I use the culinary experience. (The store) all brings this all together.' She bought her current location in River Forest in 2017, having already spent nearly a decade in the chocolate business, though now with a dedicated brick and mortar location. The years went fast, but early on she faced some of the toughest times for small food stores, with a global pandemic shutting down almost everything in early 2020. Nobody had been through anything like it and the pandemic closed restaurants and small businesses across the country — in some cases forever. 'I had no staff,' she said. 'It was Easter, my biggest retail season. We quickly pivoted to an online shop. We set up a tent out back for contactless pickups and we did contactless door drops.' She moved all her inventory to the front window so people could stand outside and point to what they wanted to buy. And people came. Neighbors. Her community. They kept buying chocolate. 'We got through it,' she said. Her customers, she knows their names. Some have been coming for years. 'I like everything,' said Claudia Saran. 'The selection, their service. And I live in the neighborhood.' Casey Goldberg, who stopped by with her daughter, added, 'we come here for all our special occasions. We always come for our gifts.' The store seems to have something for just about everyone, with a selection of popcorn, fudge, chocolates, vegan chocolate, coffee and other odds and ends — including custom work. Her store isn't on the busiest corner of Lake Street. Down the road in Oak Park, Lake Street turns into a pretty popular shopping district with heavy foot traffic all day long. Slepicka's stretch is a bit quieter, but she said River Forest is a very tight little community — they support their local businesses and she does very well where she is. Once people stop in once, Slepicka said, she's got them for life. 'I'm very grateful for the support of the village and from the Village Hall,' she said. 'The village really supports their business.' Through it all, she's become a mainstay in River Forest and somewhere along the way she snagged the attention of Triton College, looking for graduates to recognize. 'Donna's journey from a retail manager to a successful chocolatier and entrepreneur highlights her remarkable leadership and dedication to her community, embodying the core values of Triton College,' said Tina Lilly, a college spokesperson. Slepicka didn't start her chocolate journey at Triton expecting to make the college's wall of fame, but she said it's a flattering honor. 'That was very surprising,' Slepicka said. 'You're nominated initially. You have to give them a whole resume. And that was an interesting process to reflect back on everything. I thought just being nominated was enough. But then, I went to Triton and I looked at the past recipients and I thought 'Wow.' I mean, some of these people have two pages of accomplishments. Then, when they said I was accepted I was really overwhelmed.'
Chicago Tribune
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Four Triton College grads lauded on Alumni Wall of Fame
New faces inducted by the Triton College Alumni Association to its 2025 Alumni Wall of Fame represent a wide variety of professions, including a fire chief, journalist and business owners. Michele Fiore, Nicholas Steker, Madonna Fantetti Slepicka and Albin Lechowski received the recognition for making a significant impact in their profession and community. Michele Fiore combined her love of writing, performing and television to begin pursuing a career in journalism at Triton. 'While classrooms and teachers can't show you exactly what you'll face as a broadcast journalist in today's world, what Triton College did give me was invaluable, real-life working experience,' Fiore said. 'When I wrote for the Fifth Avenue Journal, I learned to look around my world to see the stories people were talking about, then I learned how to source people to talk about those topics, set up times and places to meet with them, conduct interviews, and finally to review everything that was said and put it all into a story. At Triton TV, I got to see what it was like to be in front of the camera, and also what it was like to be behind the camera, two very important experiences which determined which route I would take in my career.' She found herself covering many challenging stories, including in Chicago's Austin neighborhood on July 4, 2020, doing a story for FOX32 about a 7-year-old girl who had been killed by gang crossfire. 'As I spoke those sad words I could hear fireworks going off in the distance, and happy voices oohing and aahing at their beauty,' she said. 'Think about trying to hold back tears on live TV as you're in-the-moment hearing happy-happy, knowing a family is grieving the unbearable loss of a child. I went off-script calling out that it was truly a tale of two worlds in Austin that night.' Triton helped put Fiore on a path to see and report things she'll never forget. 'I grew up close to Triton in Elmwood Park and so this area will always feel like home,' she said. 'Being recognized here where my heart continues to be is surreal. I wonder what my 19-year-old self would think of all this. Like everyone, my career hasn't always been easy, so getting such a public recognition after years of putting in the hard work feels good. I only wish my parents had lived to see this day.' Nicholas Steker, Franklin Park Fire Department's battalion chief, attributes much of his success to what he was taught at Triton. 'I believe it provided me with a strong foundation within the fire service in our area,' he said. 'I attended classes at Triton College with several veteran firefighters, new firefighters, and those aspiring to be firefighters. Then, once I was hired in Franklin Park, many of my former classmates became mentors and vice versa. I had friendships now already forged through their fire science program. The built-in network led to long-term relationships.' Passionate about helping others, Steker enrolled in Triton's Fire Science Program in 1997 and earned his associate's degree in 1999. He was then hired as a full-time firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Franklin Park Fire Department. In 2004, he completed a bachelor's degree in fire science management at Southern Illinois University's satellite program which was held at Triton. Today he's in his 26th year with the Franklin Park Fire Department where he has climbed the ranks. He became a lieutenant in 2003 and battalion chief 20 years later. He's second in command of a 43-person department. In addition, he's come back to where it all began as he's an adjunct faculty member in Triton's Fire Science Program. 'Having the privilege to serve as adjunct faculty gives me the opportunity to pay it back,' he said. 'Society and students of today have changed so much. I try to teach that traditional fire service mentality that has led to my many successes. I do see a lot of myself in some of these kids. It's not for everyone and I tell them that's completely ok. The ones that are committed know that I will do whatever I can to help them.' In fact, one of Steker's former students now works with him in Franklin Park. 'I've watched him grow as a student, to a firefighter, and he just became a father,' Steker said. 'How rewarding is that? I'm grateful every day for the opportunities Triton has provided me with as both a student and as a faculty member that has now stretched almost 30 years.' Madonna Fantetti Slepicka had already earned her associate degree at Triton many years before she returned at age 50 to take a bread class. The problem was it was an all-day class and she couldn't get in so she took a class on food safety and another on chocolate. Like Forrest Gump learned with chocolates, Fantetti Slepicka had no idea what she was going to get out of the class. For the past 15 years she's been the owner and operator of River Forest Chocolates. Taking advantage of Triton's diverse array of educational offerings was something Fantetti Slepicka knew could benefit her career. After first getting her associates at Triton she moved on to Eastern Illinois University to attain her bachelor's degree in business. Jobs in retail, real estate and teaching took a backseat when she found a new passion: chocolates. 'I always went back to Triton to learn new things,' she said. 'Triton gave me my accounting and marketing background. It gave me all those tools in my box. When they told me I was nominated (for the Wall of Fame) I was flattered to be nominated. Reading the backgrounds of all those who have been nominated, it's impressive, it gets to be pretty overwhelming.' More than 40 years ago, Lechowski chose to attend Triton because of two things — its location and its heating, ventilation and air conditioning program. The number of homeowners and businesses who have benefitted from his services is innumerable. 'Since Triton's program was close to home, I was still able to work full time while attending college,' he said. 'I looked forward to school because I enjoyed the classes. Triton has always been an outstanding college.' Albin Lechowski is the owner and president of Al Air Inc. in Norridge. 'I learned a lot at Triton,' he said. 'And I learned a lot from my dad who always taught me to treat people the way you want to be treated and to do the job right and to be honest. It gives you a good feeling inside when you're doing good.' He's doing so well that even with his 68th birthday approaching in the fall, he's not sure when he'll retire, even after his recent accolades. 'I don't do the big jobs, but I still climb on roofs and go to the customers,' he said.' It's a good feeling troubleshooting, solving problems. I'm lucky. We're a family-owned business and my son is working right under me. As a Wall of Fame inductee, I'm honored and feel like I'm making a difference in my community.'
Chicago Tribune
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Triton College's WRRG set to celebrate 50 years on the air
For decades, students at Triton College have been filling the airways with a wide range of music at WRRG, 88.9 on the FM dial. But for a long time, nobody really knew how many people were listening to the student radio station. 'Some of it depends on how clear the skies are,' said Kelli Lynch, who oversees daily operations at the station. At just 100 watts, it may be hard to pick up WRRG on a car radio or at home for those further out from Triton's River Grove campus. But that hasn't stopped generations of DJs from learning the tools of the trade while broadcasting music that, in some cases, isn't found anywhere else on the airwaves. 'We play a lot of local music. That's a huge, huge fixture here,' said student Sophie Eagan-Dvoretsky, one of 20 current DJs at WRRG. Triton's radio station first broadcast was on April 28, 1975, and a half-century later, on Monday, April 28, there will be a celebration at the station in Room 113 of Building A on campus to mark the occasion. There will be station and studio tours from 2 to 5:30 p.m., an anniversary program from 3 to 3:30 p.m., WRRG trivia, prizes, appetizers and the unveiling of the station's new logo. Eagan-Dvoretsky, 20, an Oak Park resident who is majoring in biology at Triton, hosts a weekly show from 4 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday. Her playlists rely heavily on 'my favorite genre,' she said — independent and alternative music. But her work as a DJ also has expanded her musical horizons. 'I listen to whatever we put on the radio,' she said. Eagan-Dvoretsky has not taken a radio class at Triton, which usually is required to be on the air, but she got some training from Lynch before starting at the station, which broadcasts from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. 'I always wanted to be a deejay because I love music and love listening to myself talk,' she joked. While the station's signal doesn't have high power, it can be accessed via streaming at by searching for WRRG. 'It's cool that anyone can tune in anywhere in the world and listen,' Eagan-Dvoretsky said. Lynch, who has worked at the radio station for 21 years, is thrilled the station is still going strong. 'I started listening to WRRG in 1983 when I was in high school,' said Lynch, 57, of Elmwood Park. 'That got me interested, (it was) an introduction to college rock, to indie music. I took a radio broadcasting class here in 2000 and started to deejay. It was a dream come true for teenage me,' Lynch said. After taking the 10-week Introduction to Radio Broadcasting class taught by Dave Miska, students sign up every week to sit in the studio. That's an example, college communications manager Melissa Ramirez Cooper said, of how 'Triton College provides hands-on training and learning opportunities.' Lynch said students 'observe the first two times. Some want to try the mic, some want to try the board. Eventually they do the show by themselves and pick an air time.' Being on the air, Ramirez Cooper said, teaches skills that 'are transferable to public speaking or writing.' Everybody who enrolls in the class wants to be on the air, Lynch said. 'I think these are people who are really passionate about music. And a lot of them are excited to learn about new music you don't hear on commercial radio,' she said. Those bands are found via radio promotion companies and independent record companies that work solely with college radio stations, she said. The station also promotes Triton College events, such as the annual car show expected to draw 800 vehicles to the campus April 27, Ramirez Cooper said. 'We are lucky to have such a dedicated staff and a dedicated group of DJs,' Lynch added. The station's humble beginnings go back to a radio club at Triton that wanted a student radio station. They started with a 10-watt transmitter. 'We didn't make 100 watts until 1985, but I could get the station before that in Elmwood Park,' Lynch said. One thing you won't hear on WRRG is commercials for local businesses. 'We're a non-commercial, educational station. We'll play public service announcements from The Ad Council, like prevent forest fires,' Lynch said. Navy veteran Julio Lope, 36, now director of broadcasting and media services at WRRG, joked that his job 'is to make sure Kelli stays in line.' 'Kelli is great for the radio station. I've seen her coach some of the new DJs. Very patient. Very knowledgeable. 'Having been here since 2004 speaks to her dedication,' Lopez said. Lynch, who owns more than 4,000 record albums, formerly hosted a show called The Vinyl Revolution. Two turntables and CD players in the studio are at the DJs' disposal. It's their job to make setlists for their shows, Lynch said. Today's team of 20 DJs includes students, alumni, faculty, staff and volunteers from surrounding communities. Some have worked on remote broadcasts from the Taste of Melrose Park and Taste of Elmwood Park, Lynch said. One memorable remote in the late 1970s found DJs broadcasting from a boat in the middle of a long-gone pond on campus. Fifty years ago, the opening ceremony of WRRG featured former Illinois Gov. Dan Walker, who spoke highly of Triton College and its mission, Lynch said. Sol Polk, president of 1980s electronics retailer Polk Brothers, provided seed money to get the station started, according to Lynch. She sees a bright future for WRRG, as a growing number of students express interest in broadcasting. For example, she said, a series of radio camps held during spring break brought junior high students in the studio. 'They were on the mic. They were putting CDs in. They were running the board. And they were so excited,' Lynch said. Another junior high radio camp and a high school radio camp are planned this summer. On April 28, guest speakers scheduled for the anniversary celebration include Scott Dirks, who has worked for WLUP and WLS AM and FM; Neil Fiorito, the afternoon traffic anchor for WBBM.; and Jamie de'Medici, of Dynasty Podcasts, Lynch said. Perhaps the most famous WRRG alum is Wendy Snyder. The La Grange resident has been heard on various radio stations in Chicago for decades and currently is on WGN 720 AM. Snyder was among the many who cut their radio teeth at WRRG just like the current crop of DJs. The learning never ends. 'There were a few times I forgot to turn off my mic,' Eagan-Dvoretsky said. 'We do have a button that allows us to get rid of eight seconds of radio before it goes live. That's saved me a few times.' Being on the radio has so impacted her, she's considering switching her major to communications. 'it's such a cool time,' Eagan-Dvoretsky said. 'We have every single genre (of music) you can think of. Everyone who works there is friendly and cool. Overall, it's a really good time.'
