Established 1962

Alumna Lauren Licursi, Oak Lawn Community High School Class of 2018, has been accepted for a paid summer position at Texas A&M Baylor College of Medicine to pursue biomedical research. Lauren is on a biomedical team with PhDs and MDs that will research clinical aspects of medicine and the cell-based mechanisms of cancer. She will be published as one of the main authors for the research conducted.

Lauren said, “I had Mr. Atkins for three years at OLCHS. My love for medicine sprouted from his science classes where I found interest in all aspects of Biology and Chemistry. Up until taking AP Biology senior year with Mr. Atkins, I was pretty pessimistic about my future goals believing that I wouldn’t make it to college, let alone pursue a research position at the Baylor College of Medicine and MD Cancer Center like I am now. Mr. Atkins pushed me to become the best student that I could be, showing me opportunities that were available to me if I worked hard enough, changing my perspective on my future to be viewed as hopeful and bright. I look back now to my experience at OLCHS and I am so thankful that I had Mr. Atkins as one of my teachers as he is extremely motivated to create generations of bright and passionate young adults. I truly believe that without having Mr. Atkins during my sophomore, junior, and senior years, I would not be where I am today.”

Lauren is currently majoring in biology and neuroscience and minoring in chemistry at Augustana College. She is the Chief Medical Scribe for ScribeAmerica, an Organic Chemistry Teaching Assistant, and a Reading Writing Center Biology Fellow. 

Full story available in the Chicago Ridge Citizen

For the first time since mid-October, students returned to in-person instruction at Richards High School and all of District 218 last week.

Teachers smiled broadly behind their facemasks as they welcomed students. With modified space utilization, hourly cleaning of high-touch surfaces, divided hallways and other safety protocols in place staff worked to ensure the well-being of everyone.

Parents play a role as well.  They must verify the health of their children daily through Skyward, the student data management application. Students must show the verification before boarding buses or entering school. 

Half of students attend on Monday, the other half on Tuesday. Wednesday remains an independent learning day. The blended format repeats on Thursdays and Fridays.

Full story available in the Chicago Ridge Citizen

He is affectionately known by former teammates and basketball fans everywhere as “Bo”, but from now on he will be known as Hall of Famer Jim Bocinsky. The Oak Lawn Community High School alumnus and co-captain of the 1971 Illinois High School Association State Runner-up team has received plenty of accolades for his play on the court, but this latest one is pretty special.

The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association recently announced its Class of 2021, and Bo is deservedly on that esteemed list of basketball greats. This is the 50th anniversary of the Spartans’ trip to the State Finals in 1971, and now Bocinsky will be honored for all of his accomplishments on the hardcourt.

Full story available in the Chicago Ridge Citizen

Richards High School Principal Dr. Mike Jacobson (pictured) inspired donations of more than $16,000 on New Year’s Day by walking 24 hours without stopping. The remarkable feat, which streamed live on Facebook, supported the school college scholarship fund.

Richards teachers, students and parents walked or ran with him or from home. Superintendent Dr. Paul Enderle of Oak Lawn-Hometown District 123 and Superintendent Adam Thorns from Chicago Ridge District 127 ½ also walked with him.

Full story available in the Chicago Ridge Citizen