Art fair at Oak Lawn High showcases talents

AROUND THE SOUTHLAND

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The annual District 229 Fine Arts Fair at Oak Lawn Community High School highlighted the creativity and talent of artists and musicians. Musicians performed and students showed off art and works in progress. Oak Lawn Community High School

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Mentors from the community and school helped eighth graders learn how to put on a tie before graduation at the Illinois School in Park Forest. John Smierciak

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By Melinda Moore

Student musicians and artists showed off their talents recently at the annual Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 Fine Arts Fair.

The event began with an induction ceremony for the National Arts Honor Society, followed by exhibitions in the Performing Arts Center, ranging from 3-D ceramics, painting and photography to musical performances by students in guitar, band and choir classes. As musicians played, artists painted.

“This arts fair is a celebration of the creativity of our amazing students,” Fine Arts Department Chair Semaj Coleman shared in a news release. “It was great to see the integration of art forms, such as the student painters during the musical concerts!”

Students can join free breakfast, lunch program in Oak Lawn

Children ages 18 and younger can eat breakfast and lunch for free this summer, thanks to the Seamless Summer Option School Nutrition Program offered by Oak Lawn Community High School District 229.

Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 8 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays through June 25 and June 30 to July 17. Children should use the visitor entrance, Door 7, at the school, 9400 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn.

The program is open to anyone in the community, not just students at the high school. Information is at 708-741-5607.

Summer concert series kicks off in Tinley Park

Tinley Park hosts a series of performances during the Music in the Plaza concert series, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m. select Saturdays from June 21 to Sept. 27. The first two concerts will be held in Zabrocki Plaza, 17375 Oak Park Ave., before the series moves to the new Harmony Square plaza across the street.

This year’s concerts are June 21: Hoodwink’d (classic rock and pop), June 28: Simple Men and Southern Nights (southern rock), July 26: ARRA (classic rock), Aug. 9: Boy Band Night (boy bands), Aug. 23: 7th Heaven (’70s and ’80s), Sept. 13: One of These Nights (Eagles tribute) and Sept. 27: Sons of Chicago (Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger tribute). Information is at 708-444-5000.

Blue Island Waterfall to be blessed June 22

For the 18th year, a blessing will be given to the Blue Island Waterfall on the Cal Sag Channel, Chatham and Fulton streets in Blue Island. This year it’s at 3 p.m. June 22.

The Rev. MaryBeth Ingberg of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Evergreen Park will officiate a nondenominational, interactive ceremony. The Dixieland band The Mudcats will perform, and refreshments will be offered.

More than 100 people typically attend. Participants are invited to offer individual blessings and prayer.

The event, which blesses the waterfall run by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, is organized by Tom Shepherd of the Southeast Environmental Task Force and the Rev. Rod Rhinehart of St. Joseph and St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church.

Mentors offer lesson in ties, life at Illinois School

Male students at the Illinois School in Park Forest were treated to a day of mentoring and grooming last month as part of Cuts and Ties, which celebrates and prepares eighth-grade boys as they transition to high school.

Barbers from Larry’s Barber College cut hair for free. Students also shared a continental breakfast, spent time with mentors from the school and community (including how to tie a tie) and heard from guest speakers. All of the young men received a $100 gift card from JC Penney, bottle of cologne, black gift box with a black tie and a hygiene kit.

“We want our young men to look good when they graduate but more importantly, we want to give them skills that will help them succeed in life,” Principal Shernita Mays noted in a news release.

Moraine Valley shows family films this summer

Moraine Valley Community College will once again host its free Movie in the Moonlight series this summer on a 16-foot inflatable screen at the Gateway, between Buildings F and M at 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.

This summer will feature “The Goonies,” which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, at 8:30 p.m. June 21; “Minecraft” at 8:15 p.m. July 26 and the live action “Lilo & Stitch” at 8 p.m. Aug. 16.

Families should bring chairs or blankets to sit on and may bring food, although alcohol is not allowed. In case of bad weather, movies will be moved inside. Information is at morainevalley.edu/movies.

Oak Forest Food Truck Festival to celebrate at Gaelic Park

Oak Forest Food Truck Festival takes place 1 to 7 p.m. June 22 at Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 147th St., Oak Forest.

The event features 10 of the area’s best food trucks, a beer garden and live music. Admission and parking are free. Information is at 708-687-9323.

Five Marist students earn medals in national Italian examination

Five students at Marist High School in Chicago earned medals in the 2025 National Italian Exam, a nationwide test sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Italian that tests proficiency in that language.

Earning gold was Celia Lindokken, who graduated this year.

Silver medal recipients were Annie Tortorello and Jayda Cantu, who also graduated this year. Bronze medals were earned by Tessa Schultz and Kristina Ivanova, who will graduate in 2026.

Each year more than 6,000 high school students participate in the exam.

Send news to communitynews@southtownstar.com.