The Oak Lawn Community High School speech team members have qualified for eight events in the IHSA State competition in Peoria after placing in the top three in the Sectional final. Noah Swanberg and Abigail Moore were Sectional champions in Dramatic Duet Acting; Bianca Honeycutt and Jada Jackson were tournament runners up in Humorous Duet Acting; Abby Moore took 3rd in Dramatic Interpretation; Marlene Favila took 3rd in Radio Speaking; Bianca Honeycutt took 3rd in Poetry Reading; Kendallyn Julkowski took 3rd in Impromptu Speaking; and Alondra Camacho took 3rd in Informative Speaking.

Oak Lawn’s Performance in the Round, “The Red Serpent of Genesis” was the 2019 Sectional champion.

The cast includes Ariana Santee, Abigail Harris, Marco Hernandez, Mary Majcherek, Jake Majerczrk, Dan McLawhorn, Ella Moore, Matt Rios, Melak Shehadeh, Grace Sievers, Cylia Srmek, Alexia Stang, James Walsh, Tomás Walsh, Lucas Wessel, Alfredo Aguilar and Bree Fandry.

The combined voices of six Rich Township elementary and high school choirs celebrated Black History month Feb. 7 at Governors State University in a gala musical performance titled “Together ... We’re Better.”

“As educators, we believe that music can be medicine for the mind. So, what better way to lift up our common heritage than through a joint performance by the District’s choirs singing music inspired by negro spirituals, gospel, African, R&B, rock and pop genres that have touched generations,” said Johnnie Thomas, superintendent of Rich Township High School District 227, who organized the concert.

Six Rich Township choirs performed individually and then some 355 voices blended into a rousing massed finale of “Better,” an inspirational song made famous by Hezekiah Walker.

South suburban choirs performing at the event were from O.W. Huth Middle School, Southwood Middle School, Park Forest-Chicago Heights District 163, Colin Powell Middle School, Rich Township High School District 227 and Southland College Prep Charter High School.

Students in Lincoln-Way District 210 competed in the Regional Bridge Building contest Feb. 12 at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

There were about 80 bridges from more than 30 schools entered in the contest, which was broken into three regions, South Suburbs, North Suburbs and the City of Chicago.

In the South Suburbs Region, Lincoln-Way 210 had eight of the top 10 spots. Lincoln-Way East students Julian Bendy, Bryce Wyma, Melissa Bauer and Mark Zyskowski finished in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place respectively.

Bendy and Wyma now are eligible to represent Lincoln-Way East at the International Bridge Building Contest in April in Baltimore.

Midlothian Public Library, 14701 S. Kenton Ave., will honor Black History Month with two arts-related programs.

An Evening of Inspiration: Gospel Music with Sylvia Fedrick is at 7 p.m. Feb. 18. Fedrick will share her experiences in the music industry and perform her original music. Sylvia will be accompanied by pianist Edwin Simunye.

Pre-Civil War Quilts: The Secret Codes to Freedom is offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 21. In this multi-media historical presentation by Constance Martin, participants will discover the hidden codes and secret messages within family stories of 18 colorful, beautifully hand-crafted quilts that helped slaves escape on the Underground Railroad.

Both programs are free and open to everyone.

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