Southland College Prep Mock Trial excels

Southland College Prep Charter High School placed first in the Mock Trial competition last week in the Bloom Trail Invitational of the Illinois State Bar Association Invitational, led by wins in the Outstanding Attorney and Outstanding Witness categories.

Senior Kennedy Saulter, a founding member of the school’s Mock Trial Program, earned Outstanding Attorney and junior Shawn Strong was named the tournament’s Outstanding Witness in the daylong competition, which drew teams from the Sixth Municipal District.

“I am so incredibly proud of our Mock Trial students,” said Sherry Grutzius, who coaches the team along with attorney Keenan Saulter. She said it was the first in-person competition in close to three years for the Richton Park-based team.

Southland sent two squads comprised of 16 students to the competition.

The Illinois Bar Association’s 2022 mock trial case was a fictional liability lawsuit in which a company was accused of gross negligence in sending young campers to an unfamiliar location that resulted in head and spinal cord injuries to a minor after a hillside fall. Southland students represented the defendant.

“The founding members of this team will graduate knowing they have shown our younger students the way for many more strong placements in future Illinois State Bar Association competitions,” said Blondean Y. Davis, the school’s CEO.

Rich Township Special Olympics basketball team wins

The Rich Township High School District 227 Special Olympics Team took home the gold, winning the division title at a Jan. 24 tournament.

In 2020, the team had qualified for the state competition, but that tournament was canceled because of the pandemic.

“Two years ago, our OlyRockStars basketball team was headed to state for basketball, but the pandemic stripped them of this glory, said Kathleen Guitierrez, the team’s coach. “Two years later we ... are headed back to state for the championship.”

The state tournament is scheduled for March 11 to 13.

Glenwood Academy team looking for marathoners

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon may be closed to runners, but a handful of spots are still available on the Glenwood Academy Chicago Marathon team. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is scheduled to take place on Oct. 9.

The deadline to join the “Glenwood Gazelles” running team, has been pushed to Feb. 18. Interested runners must register by then by emailing Nora Sheahan at nsheahan@glenwoodacademy.org.

Team benefits include a guaranteed spot in the Chicago Marathon, waiver of the $230 registration fee, a discounted training program, fundraising tips and support and a special prize for the top fundraiser.

Runners are asked to raise a minimum of $1,750 for the Glenwood Gazelles Team, with all money going to Glenwood Academy, a private residential school that provides life-changing solutions for students from challenging circumstances impacted by poverty, violence, inadequate educational systems or lack of resources. Glenwood Academy is almost fully funded by fundraising events, donors and sponsors.

Tinley Park facility offers caregivers guide to dementia

Porter Place, an Anthem Memory Care community in Tinley Park will host “A Caregivers Guide for Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Nine Key Principles” at 1 p.m., Feb. 26 at Porter Place, 17833 Harlem Ave.

Patricia McClure-Chessier, author and 25-year health care veteran, draws on personal experience to share tips on how to be an effective caregiver, avoiding common mistakes, adjusting to changes within the family and more.

Reservations for the free lecture are with Meredith Morris at 708-781-1045 or mmorris@anthemmemorycare.com by Feb. 25.

Free mental health program for families set in Oak Forest

NAMI Family-to-Family, a free, eight session educational program for family members and friends of people with mental health conditions will be offered from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, March 12 through April 30, at Bremen Township Senior Complex in Oak Forest.

NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there, and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises. It is a designated evidenced-based program. This means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition.

The program provides information and strategies for taking care of a loved one in a group setting that provides mutual support and shared positive impact.

Registration is by email at Marianne.bithos@gmail.com or namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com.

Evergreen Park Senior Council luncheon set

The Evergreen Park Senior Council will meet at 11 a.m. Feb. 17 to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Swedish meatballs luncheon and entertainment by singer/ song writer, Amy Lowe, who teaches the art of retelling stories through song.

Tickets are $10 and must be purchased by Feb. 14 at the Community Center, 3450 W. 97th St. Information is at 708-422-8776.

Daughters of American Revolution to meet

The Swallow Cliff Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 1 p.m. Feb. 19, at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Avenue, Palos Heights for the annual Youth Awards Program to recognize the 6 winners of the DAR Good Citizens contest for outstanding high school seniors.

Prospective members and guests from all south and southwest suburbs are welcome to attend. More information on the chapter is at swallowcliffdar@gmail.com.

— Paul Eisenberg

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