JELENA ROWE TAKES FIRST PLACE AT NATIONALS

SAUK VILLAGE |   JELENA ROWE, an incoming senior at Bloom Trail High School Class of 2017 and Sauk Villager, took First Place High Jump at Nationals New Balance 5'10".

"So nationals was this past weekend and like going into this type of competition just enlightens me & I get very excited" Rowe said.   Rowe has had a consistent season with her jumps at "But I mean this season I was very consistent at 5-8 back to back and 5-9" Rowe said.   Rowe also participates in track and volleyball and tries her hardest to give it her all when it comes to her practices or meets.

Rowe said she worked hard for conference, sectionals, and state and just had the mindset of "I can win and will".  Rowe jumped 5-7 down state which put her in second place but she knew she could do better.  "When my amazing Coach told me about Nationals I was like great I can redeem myself but basically worldwide.  So I just stayed focused during nationals weekend and just had very good positive energy and confidence and just had to remember cockiness wasn't going to help me win" Rowe said.  

 

Rowe went into nationals knowing everyone was good and anyone could win and maintained her

composure. It came down to Rowe and Lilly Lowe at Nationals "I'm so used to it just being me and not having competition to jump against" Rowe said.  Lilly Lowe attempted 5-10 but failed on her two attempts while Rowe cleared it on her first. Rowe went on to attempt 6-0 "I just had to think like don't let the height stop me or frighten me like just have fun and jump your hardest and highest but all though it didn't happened I'm still happy with the progress I made and the accomplishments I made this whole season" Rowe said.

  

Rowe acknowledges the support she received "I couldn't have done any of this without the support and help from my team, my parents and coaches and that  at the end I was grateful for the opportunity"

 

IS DISTRICT 206 BLOOM TRAIL GETTING READY TO STRIKE?

Superintendent of Schools- D206
Dr. Lenell Navarre

By Joseph Wiszowaty
CHICAGO HEIGHTS | Teachers of Bloom Township School District 206, which serves all of Sauk Village, will be staging what is being called a march at a School Board meeting Monday night according to a source.  The march, apparently a protest against stalled contract negotiations.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated this could be a prelude to an actual teacher strike.  Teachers in District 206 have not had a pay raise in over 3 years according to the source.

It was also learned that Dr. Lenell Navarre, Superintendent of District 206 has been removed from the negotiations and a mediator has now been brought in.

Donald Aprati, speaking on behalf of the Board of Education for Bloom Township High School District 206 said in a prepared statement in response to our request: "While it is not the practice of the Board and Administration to comment on the ongoing negotiations for any bargaining unit, the Board believes it is important to provide answers to questions in order to demonstrate that the District is working towards the best interest of the students, staff, community, District stakeholders and taxpayers" Aprati said.

"First, the District team, led by the Superintendent, is committed to negotiating a fair deal for all involved.  The Superintendent has been working during the entire process at the direction of the Board toward achieving its goals in addition to opening schools and implementing the terms of the $6 million School Improvement Grant that was obtained to improve the education of the students in the District" Aprati said.

Aprati was not able to comment on Navarre being removed and mediation being needed except adding "I can tell you that mediation is a process that causes both sides to do the appropriate amount of searching for what is most important to reaching an agreement that is in the best interest of all involved, but most importantly for the students" Aprati said.  "Mediation is a part of the process of negotiations in this day and age; a process the Board welcomes" he said.

"The Board has always had a good relationship with the faculty Association.  We strive to continue that relationship which has always been based on the teachers being treated fairly, providing salary increases when possible and fiscally prudent and to move the District in the best interest of educating it's most important asset, it's students" Aprati said.

Relay for Life- "Cancer never sleeps"

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Several hundred participated in the annual Relay for Life held Friday night at Bloom Trail High School McGee Fieldhouse due to the spring chill.

This year's Relay for Life is expected to raise about $40,000 according to Myra Kocsis, Relay for Life Specialist for the American Cancer Society.

"This event is for survivors to celebrate and for those to remember those who lost the battle" Kocsis said.

So why do they walk all night?  "Cancer never sleeps, it's a battle we must fight 24/7" Kocsis said.


There were 26 teams who participated according to Kocsis and the Boy Scouts presented colors
during the opening of the event.  Eagle Scout candidate Lance James was a volunteer committee member along with his mother Tracy James and the following committee members who all volunteer their time Baily McGrath, Darlene McGrath, Jean Porter, Ann Gasik, Colleen Ranieri, Timmy Porter, Tim Porter, Sherry Brill and Juanita Tomlin.

Sauk Village Trustee Derrick Burgess stopped in to lend his encouragement to the event.  His wife Juanita a cancer survivor as well. 

The event turned somber at 9:30 with the lighting of the luminaria and remembering those who lost their battles to cancer.  The track of the McGee Fieldhouse were lined with the names of those who were remembered and readers read each name to a completely hushed crowd.