#1StudentNWI: Ingots Head into the New Year with Victories and School Spirit

#1StudentNWI: Ingots Head into the New Year with Victories and School Spirit

Christmas Classic and Cross-Town Rivalry

December 22, 2017 was the long awaited game for River Forest and Edison basketball fans and the game surely delivered in an instant classic. The two talented and powerful squads battled it out in the Christmas Classic cross-town rivalry. River Forest came from behind in the fourth quarter snapping a nine point lead and Lake Station’s hope of ending the five game losing streak against the Ingots. This tied the game at 48-48 with 1:48 left on the clock. With this re-gained momentum, Joseph Rembert and Jordan Higgins sealed the deal and locked up the sixth straight victory against the Eagles with a final score of 66-62.

1Student-RF-Jan-2018-01“The game against Edison was great demonstration of what Ingot Pride is all about! The competitive will and spirit that allowed us to come back and win the game after being down nine in the last quarter displayed what being an Ingot is all about. It was the Ingot Mentality of hard working, blue-collared, committed, tough and resilient that we credit for our victory over the Eagles. This was also demonstrated by Ingot Nation [River Forest community] who stood by us the entire game cheering us onto victory! The victory was great for the RF men's basketball program, school and community,” head coach, Derrick Milenkoff, stated.

Apart from the amazing display of basketball on Friday night, halftime brought some joy and laughs to center court in the annual battle of the blood drive pie to the face. Every November the River Forest-Edison rivalry returns for a friendly battle to help save lives. The Red Cross visits each school and the school who collects the most units during the blood drive gets to pie administration in the face at the rival game. This year that privelage went to River Forest who beat Edison out by 20 units.

The fun and friendly competition led to both schools collecting a total of 92 units which can help save up to 276 lives. Everyone was a great sport and River Forest even offered a piece of each pie after the rest was smashed in their face.

As the men’s basketball season continued on after the big rivalry win, the guys are now on a five game winning streak to end 2017. Their first game of 2018 will be on January 12.

Homecoming Week Madness

1Student-RF-Jan-2018-03River Forest students are set to start off the new semester right as Ingot pride takes over the school for basketball homecoming week starting on January 8 and running through January 12. The Men’s basketball team will take on Bishop Noll. The Student Council has been hard at work to put together the best possible week for the student body to enjoy.

To start off homecoming week, the student council members came back from winter break a day early to decorate the foyer area, covering everything in cardinal and gold. Once the rest of the student body returns the hallways will be filled with creative and crazy costumes, this year’s spirit week costume themes include: celebrity day, twin day, tropical day, day at the office, and cardinal and gold day to wrap it up on Friday.

1Student-RF-Jan-2018-05Homecoming week will also consist of a class matt ball tournament and many other class competitions. The main attraction will come about on Friday as Bishop Noll travels to the Bill Logan Gymnasium for a Greater South Shore powerhouse matchup. At halftime they will be crowning Mr. and Ms. Ingot spirit, along with Mr. and Ms. Ingot basketball, which recognizes 2 seniors who have represented the most spirit throughout the past four years along with 2 senior basketball players who have shown the most dedication and passion through their game. With all the festivities and the great matchup between two teams in the running for a conference championship, Friday night is a game that you won’t want to miss.

Student Spotlight

Vanesa Lozano is currently a junior at River Forest High School and is involved in National Honor Society, FCCLA [family career and community leaders of America], and cheer. Aside from her academics, Lozano still enjoys getting involved throughout the school like getting together with her class to decorate hallways and helping out on the prom committee.

With all of Lozano’s involvement and superb academic performance, it’s no doubt that it can be difficult to maintain such standards. River Forest is like a second home sometimes and she knows she always has someone to turn to in a time of need.

“River Forest isn’t a large school so students are surrounded by teachers who genuinely know each of their students, which is something pretty special. I love that if students are ever in need of extra help, almost any teacher is willing to make time to help you,” Lozano stated.

After graduation, Lozano would like to be attending college but is unsure of where. She is also unsure of her exact major but currently is interested in physical therapy or radiology.

Teacher Spotlight

1Student-RF-Jan-2018-02Lauren Erickson has become a long beloved part of the River Forest community and the outlet of expression for many performing arts students. Erickson is the choir and theatre arts teacher, she also teaches the middle school choir and exploring music classes. Also, this will be Erickson’s first season with the varsity girls track team.

“I love getting watch the students grow since I teach seventh grade all the way up to seniors, not many teachers get a chance to have the students for that many years. It’s also rewarding to get to help the students better express themselves through the arts,” Erickson stated.

Before teaching at River Forest Erickson taught at Hammond High from 2005-2007 where she taught choir, general music, and coached track. She then became an Ingot because she wanted to be in the smaller school atmosphere and back when Erickson was in college she helped out with the band at River Forest where she first fell in love with the students.