Copyright Chicago Tribune
Leyden students perform with state choir Five students at Leyden High School have been chosen to perform with the 2025 Illinois American Choral Directors Association All-State Show Choir. They are seniors Yurem Mesa, Sonya Moarales and Jade Gil, all from East Leyden in Franklin Park, and seniors Emmanuel Rios and Nathan Pera, both from West Leyden in Northlake. The singers are among 45 other show choir performers from around Illinois who spent a weekend rehearsing songs and dances for a performance last month. In addition, Morales and Mesa performed solos, and Pera was the first Leyden student to achieve the recognition three consecutive years. “This is a high honor for our Leyden students, especially because we do not compete in Show Choir,” choir director Stacy Cunningham shared in a news release. UChicago AdventHealth gains new chief UChicago Medicine AdventHealth has gained a new chief medical officer for its Hinsdale and La Grange locations. Dr. Richard Phillips, who has a medical degree and MBA, is a seasoned emergency medicine physician with more than 20 years of clinical experience. He most recently was CMO at Baptist Health Floyd in southern Indiana. He led the emergency department at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth GlenOaks as medical director and was regional medical director for Illinois Emergency Medicine Specialists, aiding patients at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth’s sites in La Grange, Bolingbrook, Glendale Heights and Hinsdale. He has an undergraduate degree from Harvard University, medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and MBA from the U of C Booth School of Business. Food drive starts at Triton College Triton College in River Forest is among community colleges in Illinois participating in the annual Feed the Need campus food drive, which led to more than 91,000 food items being donated last year. The drive, led by the Illinois Community College Board, is a “friendly competition” that encompasses all 39 community college districts to benefit local food pantries and support services for students. Trinity will accept nonperishable food items on campus through Dec. 1, and the items will go to its food pantry, Troy Mart. Donations may be brought to Troy Mart in Room 106 of Building A and to the Office of Student Life in Room 240 of Building B. Items that aren’t food, such as small toiletries, deodorant, soap, toothpaste and feminine hygiene products, may be dropped off at Student Life. Troy Mart is available to students with financial challenges and food insecurity. It offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack options and personal care items. It’s part of the Troy Care Collective, services that promote student success through support for housing, access to clean clothes and transportation. Details about Troy Mart are at www.triton.edu/troymart. OPRF students selected to perform at music festivals A new milestone was reached at Oak Park and River Forest High Schools performing arts program when 55 students in choir, orchestra, band and jazz were chosen to perform at the Illinois Music Education Association District 1 Festivals. The band, choir and orchestra festival was Nov. 8 at Elmhurst University, and the jazz festival is set for Nov. 15 at Argo Community High School in Summit. The festival allows students to collaborate with peers, and top-ranked performers might be chosen for the All-State Festival in January. Band Directory Anthony Svejda said the district is extremely competitive. “District 1 is a powerhouse, so to see this level of success speaks volumes about our students’ dedication and talent,” he shared in a news release. “Every jazz student who auditioned made it. That’s practically unheard of.” Trinity HS presents ‘Cinderella’ this weekend “Cinderella” by Rodgers and Hammerstein will take the stage Nov. 14-16 in the Dr. Alice M. Fox Auditorium at Trinity High School, 7574 Division St. in River Forest. The show is a musical retelling of the classic fairy tale. In addition to high school cast members, the show features local grade school students. Tickets cost $11 for adults and senior citizens and $6 for high school students and children and can be bought online at www.trinityhs.org and clicking on the event. Information is at 708-771-8383. Women voters offer session on affordable housing League of Women Voters of the LaGrange Area presents a program on affordable housing in local communities from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in the meeting room at the LaGrange Public Library, 10 W. Cossitt Ave. BEDS Plus CEO Tina Rounds will talk about the issue and solutions she has found. The meeting is free and open to the public. The league does not endorse particular candidates. Instead, it encourages people to become informed and actively participate in government. This chapter serves Burr Ridge, Riverside, LaGrange Highland, Lyons, Indian Head Park, Brookfield, Countryside, LaGrange and Western Springs. Details are at www.lagrangearealw.org. Tree-lighting event in Darien includes face painting, caroling The Darien Community holiday celebration and tree lighting is set for Nov. 16 at the Darien Historical Society, Cass Avenue and 75th Street. Face painting is from 1 to 3 p.m. and Santa arrives at 1:30 p.m. A children’s storytime with the Indian Prairie Public Library starts at 3 p.m., followed by caroling at 3:30 p.m. with Lakeview Junior High School and the tree lighting at 4 p.m. New, unwrapped toys will be accepted for the Darien Lions Club toy drive, and free hot dogs and hot chocolate will be served with supplies last. Send news to pioneerwest@tribpub.com.
