April 20 was Andrew Hagins Day as the Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity baseball team conducted a pregame ceremony for the class of 2006 graduate who died suddenly last December.   Before a large crowd at OPRF’s new baseball field, Toni Hagins delivered an emotional speech that emphasized how much her son loved Huskies’ baseball and what it stands for — brotherhood, community, and family. Several of Hagins’ teammates were present, and Mrs. Hagins threw out a ceremonial first pitch to the roar of the crowd.  Bobby Fratto (left), a teammate of Andrew Hagins, present ..read more

Fenwick High School junior Nate Marshall, one of the state’s top college football prospects in the Class of 2025, has received numerous offers from top universities.  But it appears the recruiting process is wrapping up for the Friars’ defensive lineman/tight end because on April 22 he announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he has made an oral commitment to the University of Michigan. The 6-4, 270-pound Marshall selected the Wolverines over schools like Alabama, Auburn, Illinois, Miami (Florida), and Ohio State, all of whom had made scholarship offers.  “Extremely blessed and thankf ..read more

This week’s Wednesday Journal male student-athlete spotlight shines on senior Oak Park and River Forest boys volleyball player Quinn Bozarth.  A co-captain and three-year varsity member, Bozarth has helped guide the Huskies to a 15-3 record this spring. And he’s confident OPRF has what it takes to win the first state championship in program history.  “I truly believe we can win state; we’re the team to do it,” he said. “I’m more confident this year than last year. … We haven’t peaked yet, and we’re going to work harder in practice than we’ve ever worked in order to get to the final ..read more

This week’s featured female student-athlete profile highlights Fenwick High School senior Xiomara Trejo, who has been a starter for the Friars’ varsity girls water polo team all four years. She likes how Fenwick’s young roster has developed this season.  “The team is working hard both in and out of the water,” Trejo said. “We started a little rocky, losing some games, but tried our best to stay positive. We also focus more on what we accomplished in the water and what we can improve on for the next game.  “Individually, I try to push myself as hard as I can during practice and make ..read more

Gerard Sullivan | Courtesy of Fenwick High School Years ago, the late singer/actor Kenny Rogers sang the theme song for his movie, The Gambler. The first line of the chorus begins, “You’ve gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away …”  Walking away is what longtime Fenwick High School tennis coach Gerard Sullivan is doing after a long, successful career. At the conclusion of the current season, he’ll retire and pass the reins of the boys and girls programs to Ron Rogala.  “It’s time,” said Sullivan, who will continue to teach at Fenwick. “It’s been a ..read more

Math can be fun. That is what the Percy Julian Middle School Math Club hopes to show District 97 fifth-graders through its new math competition designed just for them.  “We enjoyed the thrill of going to a competition and meeting other students,” said Anna Forshtay, a seventh grader. “I think that would be nice for fifth graders, so they can meet future peers.”   She and Xander Carroll were some of the brains behind the competition the math club designed for the elementary students. They hope the event also promotes the math club and encourages students to join when they get to ..read more

While a first-place trophy was not in the cards for Oak Park Go-Kart racer Pierce Joy, the Lincoln Elementary fourth grader nevertheless wants to stay in the fast lane.  Earlier this month, Pierce Joy went head-to-head with other top racers from across the country as they competed in the inaugural 2024 Junior U.S. Championship for K1 Speed Go-Kart Racing, a go-kart franchise.    Pierce, who had been looking forward to the big race since he qualified to represent Illinois in January, finished 35 out of 40.   The race was held in Ontario, California, April 14. Acco ..read more

Give Peace a Chance April 24, 2024 | Marc Stopeck The post Shrubtown: Give Peace a Chance appeared first on Wednesday Journal ..read more

Longtime River Forest resident Roz Varon has helped Chicagoans reach their destinations safely and efficiently during rush hour since 1989.   Yet after an impressive and trailblazing 35-year career at ABC7 Chicago, Varon retired from her role as a traffic/transportation anchor earlier this month.   She was Chicago’s first broadcast television traffic anchor and one of the original team members at “ABC7 Eyewitness News This Morning,” which debuted in April 1989.   “So, the anniversary of the morning show is also my personal anniversary at the show,” Varon said.&nb ..read more

Mary T Small, 91, of Elmhurst and a former longtime resident of River Forest, died on April 4, 2024. Mary T was full of drive and energy in everything she did and devoted her life to her family, career, community and friends. As the daughter of Irish immigrants, she inherited the Irish gift of gab and the ability to connect with almost everyone, leading to numerous friendships throughout her life. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, she graduated from Visitation High School and St. Xavier College, as the first college graduate in her family. After several years working in consumer ..read more