Students from AP Physics class took part in a "Speed Engineering" activity at Argonne National Laboratory. Participants analyzed the tensile strength of common computer paper coated with a variety of household products. Using an electron microscope, they were able to deduce the effect that these products had on the overall performance of the paper. The trip was a great opportunity for students to experiment with cutting-edge technology in a research setting. Oak Lawn prides itself on preparing students with 21st century Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) skills.

Photograph: Senior Mohammad Abuosbie, Lou Harnisch (educational program coordinator - Argonne National Laboratory), Deon Ettinger (Lead Chemist - Argonne National Laboratory), Senior Natalia Bak, Senior Gabe Lira, and Senior Musaab Bashir.  <<read more>>

Several Oak Lawn Community High School students advance in the "Believe, Dream, Inspire" PTSA Reflections contest. Several projects advanced from the district level to state level judging while some even advanced to the national level! District 34 had over 100 entries from area schools, and OLCHS constituted 11 of those for judging. Eleven students advance in the music, photography, visual arts and literature categories. Adam Smith is advancing in the music category; Brian Pfister and Megan Pripusich are advancing in the photography category and Steven Boetscher is advancing to the national PTA round; Jalisa Balboa is advancing in the visual arts category and Rebecca Mackowiak is advancing to the national PTA round; and Emma Barry and Angelica Davis are advancing in the literature category. Congratulations to these creative Spartans!  <<read more>>

The South Suburban Conference Art Show highlights the achievements of student artists. The reception was recently hosted at Trinity Christian College. All forms of fine art were displayed: drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography. Winners were awarded in several categories and the Oak Lawn Spartans were recognized throughout the show. Megan Pripusich won Best of School and Alyssa Kackert earned an Honorable Mention. Other participants included: Bridget Ayres, Melissa Barragan, Rebecca Bradshaw, Kaeley Clark, Melissa DelaRosa, Calvin Demski, Mercedes Fabian, Haley Hiljus, Emily Kozlowski, Emily Krzak, Gabby Lenihan, David Le, Taylor Lindemann, Shannon Murphy, Sana Odeh, Megan Pacetti, Molly Pajor, Christopher Pardue, Brian Pfister, Abby Rzechula, and Shelby Trybula.  <<read more>>

Varsity baseball player John Roberts is someone other people can look to for guidance. That is especially true now as he was recently chosen to be a member of the Illinois High School Association Student Advisory Committee. Roberts was selected from a large group of outstanding nominees.

As a member of the committee, Roberts will attend various meetings at the IHSA office in Bloomington, IL. The first meeting will take place on Sunday, April 27, 2014. He will participate in discussions and help to sculpt the future of IHSA athletics. Roberts was nominated for the honor by baseball head coach Bill Gerny.

"John has been really committed to classroom excellence and success in baseball," Gerny said. "He is a leader in the program and sets the tone through example - he's one of the hardest-working players in the program. I'm glad the IHSA recognized him by selecting him for this committee."   <<read more>>

No one wanted to see it end. Oak Lawn Community High School's Dancing with the Spartans took its final steps on April 11, 2014, with an all-star cast of alumni, teachers, students, and professional dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Per tradition, teachers and students dedicated their time and hearts to dance lessons and fundraising to fight Duchenne, a form of muscular dystrophy that math teacher Shannon DeMatteo's son Jack was diagnosed with at a young age.

Highlights of the night included an alumni opening dance comprised of dancers from the last five years, a second performance in Dancing with the Spartans by Jeremey Cryan, who awed the audience both with his grace and his crowd-cheering worm, and a closing Paso Doble by Dancing with the Spartans founder and dancer Eileen Jones with Fred Astaire professional Caleb Aleman.

This year's dancers included math teachers Tammy Tyeptanar and Jeremey Cryan, English teacher Jenn Jepsen, art teacher Jen Wargin, counselor Marcus Wargin, and students Bella Ibarra, Andrea Pacetti, Mike Felton and Kyle Kuzur. Marcus and Jen Wargin snared the mirror ball trophy and Jenn Jepsen broke the record for money raised for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) with over $3,400 in donations. The professional dancers from Fred Astaire added class to the evening with their talent and charity to Oak Lawn Community High School and PPMD. This dedicated group of professionals, teachers and students raised $14,738 by the end of the evening, with an overall five-year total of $86,582 for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. Student dancer Kyle Kuzur said, "It was an awesome time bonding with the teachers and seeing a different side of them."

Senior Class Advisor Eileen Jones dims the lights on the event this year, but perhaps the school can look forward to a reprise one day? The $100,000 year? Stay tuned.  <<read more>>

Attention all future Spartans, come out on Sunday, May 4, for Oak Lawn High School's 1st Annual FREE Athletic Showcase. This event is open to all kids ages 7-14. Don't miss the opportunity to meet the coaches, step out onto the field/court, and participate in live practice drills. Coaches are eager to meet you and share with you all the great thing their programs have to offer. This is also a chance for Mom and Dad to meet the A.D., see the campus, and see a lot of the great things Oak Lawn has to offer in the classroom.

 The day will be broken into TWO sessions, a morning session for female athletes, and an afternoon session for male athletes. The Lady Spartan session will start at 8 a.m. In the Spartan gym and conclude at 11:30 a.m. The afternoon Spartan session will start at noon, again in the Spartan gym, and then conclude around 3:30 p.m.

Refreshments will be provided as well as opportunities to win great prizes. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn a little more about Oak Lawn and feel what Spartan PRIDE is all about. Contact Oak Lawn Athletic Director Kevin McKeown at kmckeown@olchs.org / 708-741-5623 for more details. Best part about the whole experience is that it is FREE!  <<more information>>