Latest news with #Homewood-Flossmoor
Chicago Tribune
20-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Oak Park and River Forest High School hires former Homewood-Flossmoor, Naperville administrator
Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 has hired an administrator experienced in curriculum to be its new assistant superintendent for student learning to replace Laurie Fiorenza who resigned, effective June 30, without explanation in April. Fiorenza's replacement will be Jen Hester, who has worked for the last five years as the director of student curriculum, instruction and professional development at Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233, a one-school district like OPRF. Prior to working at Homewood-Flossmoor, Hester worked as the top academic or curriculum administrator at Naperville Community Unit School District 203, which includes Naperville Central and Naperville North high schools, and St. Charles Community Unit District 303 which includes St. Charles East and St. Charles North high schools. She served for eight years as the chief academic officer at Naperville District 203 before that position was eliminated in a cost cutting move. She was going to be reassigned to be a reading specialist at a middle school in the district but instead worked for a year as consultant before being hired at Homewood-Flossmoor. 'I'm thrilled to have Dr. Hester join the district,' OPRF District 200 Superintendent Greg Johnson said in a news release. 'She really stood out among the other candidates for her array of experience in large, diverse districts, expertise in curricular knowledge, passion for classroom instruction and understanding of data and school metrics. She'll be a tremendous asset as we work to ensure all students can achieve their full potential, both here at OPRF and once they graduate.' Hester was chosen from a field of 90 candidates and underwent three rounds of interviews. The first rounds of interviews included teachers and students as well as administrators. Hester grew up in York, Pennsylvania, where her mother, grandmother and an aunt were all teachers. After graduating from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania she began her career teaching sixth grade in Hanover, Pennsylvania. After teaching sixth grade for three years she came to Chicago to attend graduate school at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she earned a master's degree in educational leadership and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. Much of her graduate work focused on reading and literacy Hester worked for the Chicago Public Schools for three years starting as a literacy specialist and rising to become the manager of high school literacy at CPS before going to St. Charles as a literacy coordinator before rising to curriculum director. Hester, whose husband John Schalk grew up in River Forest and graduated from OPRF in 1989, said the OPRF job appealed to her because of shared values. 'I feel like my core beliefs and values really align with Oak Park and River Forest's vision and mission,' Hester said, adding she is especially committed to work to improve the academic achievement of Black and Hispanic students. 'I come from a long line of educators and I've had lots of help myself along the way from those educators and I definitely believe that all kids can and will succeed at high levels.' At Homewood-Flossmoor, Hester led a detracking program somewhat similar to what has been implemented at OPRF in the Honors for All freshman program. At Homewood-Flossmoor, Hester said, lower level classes were eliminated in an attempt to give all students exposure to rigorous core classes. 'We did some work there with detracking and ensuring that all kids were in the rigorous, grade level core curriculum,' Hester said. 'I'm also very proud of being part of and leading, with my team, a lot of our equity learning and work,' Hester said. While Homewood-Flossmoor High School and OPRF are similar in size, OPRF is a little bigger, and both have diverse student populations their demographics differ. According to the most recent school report card 73.6% of H-F students are Black, 12.3% are white and 9.7% are Hispanic. At OPRF, 51.8% of students are white, 19% of Black and 15.4% are Hispanic. While both H-F and OPRF were designated as commendable schools by the state last year and both have reputations as excellent schools, OPRF's recent academic performance has been significantly stronger. According to the 2024 Illinois School Report Card, only 26% of H-F juniors scored high enough on the SAT to meet the state's tough English Language Arts proficiency standards compared to 64% of OPRF juniors. In math only 18% of H-F students met the state's proficiency standard compared to 55% at OPRF. According to the state, OPRF has a higher percentage of low income students, 20%, than H-F where 14% of students are designated as low income. Like many schools across the nation Homewood-Flossmoor has a wide gap in test scores between white and Black students although its achievement gap is not as wide as it is at OPRF. At H-F the gap between the percentage of white students and Black students meeting state proficiency standards was 38 points in ELA and 33 points in math while at OPRF it was 52 points in ELA and 51 points in math. Hester said her first priority upon starting her job at OPRF on July 1 will be to get to know the school better. 'My first goal is always to make connections to everybody who's there and really seek to understand what's important to them, what matters, what makes OPRF OPRF,' Hester said. She said she is not ready to comment in detail about the Honors for All Program which just completed its third year. The first Honors for All cohort took the ACT in the spring and will be seniors in the fall. 'I need to get in and learn,' Hester said. 'I need to come to Oak Park and River Forest and really learn what Honors for All means and understand the goals more deeply than you can through an interview process and then the goal is, always, for all kids to learn at high levels.' Hester will be paid an annual salary of $195,000 at OPHF.
Chicago Tribune
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
From leadoff spot, Lincoln-Way Central's Filippo Baratta beats Homewood-Flossmoor's heat. ‘I just love attacking.'
As the team's leadoff hitter, Filippo Baratta was ready to flip the switch for Lincoln-Way Central. The senior outfielder was the first one to take a swing Monday against the scorching heat generated by Homewood-Flossmoor pitcher Antonio Brown Jr., a junior right-hander. For Baratta, it was all in a day's work. 'I just love attacking that first pitch and getting the next guys up,' Baratta said of facing Brown. 'He threw strikes, but I'm out there making plays and that is all you can ask for.' Baratta came up with what the doctor ordered for the Knights, contributing two hits and an RBI in a 3-0 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over the host Vikings in Flossmoor. Junior right-hander Alex Panos struck out four in six innings for Lincoln-Way Central (12-7, 7-2). He allowed just three hits and a walk. Brown, who reached speeds of more than 90 mph, struck out six while allowing four hits and two earned runs in five innings for H-F (10-15, 5-6). A two-year starter committed to Southwestern Illinois, Baratta flashed his electric speed in scoring in the third inning on a fielder's choice by junior designated hitter Austin Welsh. With the Knights up 2-0 in the fourth quarter, Baratta closed out the scoring with a smash that ricocheted off Brown. It's also part of what impressed Welsh. 'He just goes up there, has an approach, swings and gets on base,' Welsh said of Baratta, who's called 'Flip' by his teammates. 'That's what we need — base runners who help us create runs. 'This is how he has played his whole life. He can put the ball into play when he needs to. He only makes friends. He's our No. 1 guy.' Baratta's speed and athleticism are crucial elements of the Knights' offense. 'I'm ready to use my speed and do whatever is necessary to help win games,' Baratta said. 'I treat every game like the playoffs and never let up.' Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Kutt said Baratta's talent for getting on base is impeccable. Kutt said Baratta has a .400 on-base percentage this spring. 'He's always going to find a way to get on base two or three times a game,' Kutt said. 'He's a guy who just runs and flies around the bases. We always want to put that pressure. 'His work ethic and attitude just separate him from a lot of people.' In that way, Baratta looks to create havoc on the bases with a frenetic, hard-edged style. 'I like to play hard and fast and create winning plays for the team,' he said. 'I'm the same way out in right field. I love checking balls down, watch our pitchers throw strikes and make any play.' Likewise, Baratta is that same brash player from last season. The only difference, according to Kutt, is being more experienced and confident. 'I think the difference is maturity,' Kutt said. 'He is the same exact player he was a year ago. Now that he is a senior, he's a lot more vocal and has done a great job of being a leader. 'We're an old group, with 16 seniors, but not a lot of guys with varsity experience. Having those stripes from last year is huge for us.' Baratta began playing organized baseball at age 5. He was inspired by older cousins. In his free time, Baratta loves listening to music and lifting weights. His favorite aspect is seeing teammates excel and take advantage of their opportunities. 'I love everything about the game, but especially what I call the ups and downs,' Baratta said. 'It's a difficult game to play well, so I go out there, play hard and do what I can to win games. Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. Originally Published: May 5, 2025 at 11:04 PM CDT
Chicago Tribune
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Logan Fernandez, a self-taught barber, takes next step for Mount Carmel. ‘One of the best outfielders in the state.'
Junior outfielder Logan Fernandez makes sure to get in his cuts for Mount Carmel. He generates explosive power with his bat but also boasts a special side hustle as a barber. 'My game has improved a lot because I have all of these great guys around me,' he said. 'They're here to help me get better and the coaches have trust in me to move me around the order.' Fernandez's effort was made to order Saturday. He came through with an RBI double and also scored a run, sparking the Caravan to a 4-2 win over Homewood-Flossmoor in Chicago. Notre Dame-bound junior starter Conor Eleteny struck out seven and permitted just two hits in five innings for host Mount Carmel (13-6). Junior outfielder Evan Bradford had two hits and engineered a late rally with a two-out, two-run double in the seventh inning for St. Laurence (9-11). Fernandez, meanwhile, has broken through in his first full year as a starter for the Caravan. He's batting .349 with 15 hits, 12 runs, five doubles, two triples, a home run and eight RBIs. He also has an unorthodox role on the team as a self-taught barber. He picked up the craft by studying YouTube videos. It sparked his interest, and he even created a handle, 'Nando Chopz.' 'To be honest, I just wanted to cut my own hair,' Fernandez said. 'Barber prices are really high, and I wanted to practice on myself. 'I could probably make money off it, but I like giving my friends cuts, guys like Mario in the clubhouse the other day.' Junior infielders TJ McQuillan and Mario Medina each decided to take a turn in the chair. 'He gave me a cut when we were in Florida,' McQuillan said. 'I came home, and my mom was pretty upset with me.' All kidding aside, McQuillan has been impressed by Fernandez this season. 'In all seriousness, he's a great guy,' McQuillan said. 'He didn't play much last year because we had two seniors. I think he's one of the best outfielders in the state. 'He showed (Saturday) he has a lot of speed and pop in his bat.' Medina described Fernandez as a glue guy who connects with players regardless of background. And the barber thing is pretty cool, too. 'He cut my hair a couple of days ago and I really liked it,' Medina said. 'He's a great guy. He's very outgoing and sociable. He's very competitive 'He has worked very hard on his game to get better. You can see that.' His place in the batting order shows Fernandez's versatility. He was in the coveted cleanup spot Saturday against the Vikings. During a recent game, he batted leadoff. 'I think this is my first year of just taking that role of helping my guys out,' Fernandez said. 'We're about to get into the Catholic League games against some of our toughest games, and I think we are trying what works best.' The 6-foot-1 Fernandez has athleticism, power and speed. He has range in the outfield and the ability to generate runs with his quickness and aggressive play. 'I try to make contact,' he said. 'With my speed on the bases, I'm always a threat to turn that into a triple. I think the way my athleticism plays into my game just makes a good all-around player.' Fernandez makes the trek to the Mount Carmel from Humboldt Park on the city's West Side. Playing baseball for the Caravan completes the circle. 'When one of my teammates makes a great play, that just gets me,' Fernandez said. ' Anthony Chavez made a great play at first. Just seeing my teammates out there really gets me going.'
Chicago Tribune
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Homewood-Flossmoor's Vincent Robinson gets NCAA gold at North Carolina State. ‘Total full-circle moment.'
Homewood-Flossmoor graduate Vincent Robinson recently found the ultimate redemption on the wrestling mat. But before we get to that, let's rewind to his high school days. On a February night in 2022, Robinson — then a junior — and his coach at H-F, Jim Sokoloski, had a long, emotional chat at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Robinson had just lost a state championship match for the second time in his high school career, falling to Mount Carmel's Sergio Lemley in the Class 3A 132-pound championship bout. Sokoloski promised his pupil that better days were ahead. 'Me and 'Soko' sat in the stairwell and cried for 20 or 30 minutes,' Robinson said. 'He was like, 'We're going to get it next year.'' That didn't happen. The next season, as a senior, Robinson also ran into Lemley, this time in the semifinals. Lemley, who went on to become a four-time state champion, got the best of him again. Two years later, though, Robinson has ascended to the top of the mountain. Forget a state championship. He's a national champ. On March 22 in Philadelphia, Robinson — a redshirt freshman at North Carolina State — won the NCAA title at 125 pounds. And, as it turns out, he made one of Sokoloski's predictions come true. 'After I lost to Lemley again as a senior, it was the same thing all over,' Robinson recalled. 'We sat there crying and 'Soko' told me, 'The national championship is going to feel way better.' 'It did. It just feels like a total full-circle moment.' Robinson edged Oklahoma State's Troy Spratley 2-1 in overtime in the national championship match, scoring an escape and holding on for the win. 'My first reaction was like, 'I told everybody,'' Robinson said. 'I spoke it the whole season and I believed it and it became so. I looked at my dad and I pointed at him. 'Me and my dad talk almost every day. He's like my best friend.' Robinson's dad, Vasil, is an assistant coach at H-F and has been Robinson's biggest mentor throughout his career. I've seen Vasil let his emotions show many times following wins and losses by Vincent and his brothers. So, what was the national championship celebration like? 'He had a lesser reaction than what I thought,' Robinson said. 'I thought he was going to go a little crazy. I rewatched it and I saw he jumped up really quick. I've never seen him jump up that quick. 'But he didn't really go too crazy because he always knew I could do it.' And so did Vincent, who never lost hope after falling just short again and again in high school. Those setbacks make this victory even better. 'I think that does make it sweeter,' he said. 'You know I know how it feels to lose and how it feels to come up short in those big matches. It wasn't on my mind a lot at the national tournament, but it definitely crossed my mind. 'It was one of those mindsets like, 'I'm tired of having that second-place feeling and coming up short.' I said, 'I didn't come this far just to get second again.'' Robinson also overcame some injury issues on his way to the top. He redshirted last season following knee surgery. This winter, he suffered a torn meniscus in his knee in December and had to have another surgery, sidelining him for another month. 'It had its ups and downs,' Robinson said. 'I think the surgery helped my defense a little bit more, knowing I had to keep people off my leg because I didn't want to hurt my knee. 'Ultimately, I think it made me better.' Every year, the state wrestling meet is one of the most emotional days of the year. At every state event, there are teams that fall just short of making their dreams come true. But there's nothing quite like the heartbreak of losing a one-on-one state championship match. Having seen Robinson's disappointment up close, I'm thrilled to see him finally get his championship. And there's more to come. Robinson said he took a week off after nationals but is now back to work. 'I just feel like I'm ready to go get another one,' he said. 'It's kind of like my first time really being at the top. I want to see how it feels to be the man and now they've got to come get me. 'If you want me, come get me.' I hope Robinson savors that feeling of being 'the man.' He's certainly earned it.
Chicago Tribune
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Illinois recruit Aidan Flinn strikes out 12 in five innings for Marist. And those MLB scouts? ‘It motivates you.'
After committing to Illinois and blossoming into a pro prospect, Marist's Aidan Flinn is adjusting to life in the spotlight. Several scouts lined up behind home plate Monday with their radar guns drawn to watch the senior left-hander pitch. That doesn't bother Flinn. 'It's still kind of new, but I'm starting to get used to it,' he said. 'I do enjoy it. I like kind of having something to pitch for. It motivates you. 'I see it as another chance to prove myself to more people and let them see what I have.' Flinn sure showed them a lot. He threw five no-hit innings, striking out 12, as the RedHawks rolled to a 10-0 six-inning win over Homewood-Flossmoor in a Do It Stevie's Way Tournament pool-play game at St. Xavier in Chicago. Brendan Doran went 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs to lead the offense for Marist (2-1). Ryan Lawlor finished with a double, two RBIs and three runs, while Charlie Dunneback contributed a double, a walk, an RBI and a run. Eastern Michigan recruit Demir Heidelberg had the lone hit for H-F (3-1). Navy commit Henry Humes struck out seven over four innings, allowing five earned runs. Flinn, meanwhile, issued just one walk and hit one batter. At one point, he struck eight straight. Senior catcher Joey Gumuls, a Loras recruit, loves being along for the ride when Flinn gets on that kind of a roll. 'He's very accurate,' Gumuls said. 'It's easy to catch him. Once we're in a groove, it's really fun to just go out there and compete.' Flinn showed up to the park on a cold day and saw strong winds howling out. Challenge accepted. 'I just wanted to keep the ball low and make them hit it on the ground,' he said. 'Luckily, they didn't hit the ball too much.' As far as the extra eyeballs on him are concerned, Flinn believes they help him lock in, which will make him even better later in the season. 'Sometimes it can be tough to go out there and throw in a game that's not as important, maybe early in the season,' he said. 'But when you have that attention on you every game, you know you're going to be ready to go when you get to the really important games and the pressure's on. 'So, that's nice.' Flinn got plenty of help from his offense. Doran sparked the lineup from the leadoff spot, singling and scoring on Lawlor's double in the first inning. Doran followed with an RBI triple in the second inning, then singled and scored in the fourth. 'I like being the leadoff hitter,' Doran said. 'I know I can get on base and go steal a base and I have guys behind me that I know can hit me in.' Doran said having Flinn on the mound takes all the pressure off the RedHawks' hitters. Speaking of pressure, Marist coach Kevin Sefcik sees Flinn thriving under the bright lights. 'I think he loves it,' Sefcik said. 'He has no problems with it. He's embracing it. He knows he can go to Illinois or he has a chance for some other options 'I just love that he's doing well out there in front of those guys and maybe gives himself a chance.' Flinn knows he may have some big decisions to make in the next few months. But he's intent on staying true to himself through all the hoopla and MLB draft talk. 'It's exciting,' he said. 'Nothing's going to change here. I'm just going to keep playing baseball and living my life, and whatever happens in the future happens. I'm thankful for everything.'
