Entrepreneurship students at Stagg High School in Palos Hills donated nearly $1,500 to PAWS Tinley Park after earning the money as part of a business development program similar to the “Shark Tank” television program. One team of students sold frozen custard during lunch periods after brokering a deal with the owner of Andy’s Custard to provide the food at a reduced rate. Another team created and sold cotton candy during lunch periods. After paying back their initial investments, the two groups raised $1,440 in profits, which were donated to PAWS, a charity the students agreed upon.

In the wake of NASA naming a solar probe after longtime Flossmoor resident and University of Chicago astrophysicist Eugene Parker, Homewood-Flossmoor High School presents the Solar Winds Celebration at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the school, 999 Kedzie Ave.

The event is slated to be a fully immersive light-and-sound experience with performances by the school’s choir, orchestra, theater and band students, plus visual displays by the school’s art students and the unveiling of Solar Wind, a legacy sculpture created by the school’s Ceramics & Sculpture students.

Other highlights are science-themed overtures performed by the school’s Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia and Viking Orchestra students. Band students will perform “Solar Winds for Concert Band,” a three-movement composition by Heather Hoefle, band director from Flossmoor’s Parker Junior High School, plus a solar-inspired percussion piece, written by Jon Jackson, H-F Fine Arts teacher.

More information is at hfhighschool.org or 708-799-3000.

The Best Buddies Chapter at Lincoln-Way Central High in New Lenox was one of two in the state recognized as Rookie Chapters of the Year.

The chapter was recognized during the Friendship Walk, an annual event where all Best Buddies chapters in northern Illinois gather at the Brookfield Zoo. The program, which began at Lincoln-Way Central in the fall, builds one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities through school and community friendship programs.

Lincoln-Way Central’s Best Buddies Chapter is made up of approximately 80 active participants who attend monthly meetings, as well as plan their own hangouts outside of school.

After three rounds of singing involving 14 talented seniors showcasing their skills, five-time competitor Phil Orsi, of Orland Hills, was named the 2018 Orland Township Senior American Idol winner.

Orsi started the event with Frank Sinatra’s “Chicago,” continuing in the second round with “Georgia” by Ray Charles. In the final round, Orsi impressed the audience and judges with “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble.

Contestants for the finals were chosen from a group of more than 25 people who sang a cappella during auditions in February.

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— Staff report