Now is your chance to create a permanent memorial at OPRF at a special low price! The Booster Club's Buy-a-Brick Program, which allows supporters to purchase a message on a brick in the stadium, in the Hemingway memorial space, and in the space between the school and the stadium, is having a sale until April 21. Do you want to show support for the school, a special graduate, a favorite coach, your family connection, or any other worthy cause? During this special sale, a 4" x 8" brick, which totals 39 characters, costs just $100, and an 8" x 8" brick costs $200.
Young Dancers Shine at OPRF
Over 400 people watched Orchesis, OPRF's student dance troupe, conclude its autumn season with a Fall Dance Concert on November 12, 13, and 14. During the finale, the jubilant dancers took the stage for a contemporary "hoe-down" choreographed by well-known Giordano Jazz Associate Artistic Director Autumn Eckman.
Co-directed by Lucy Riner and Ann Petroliunas, Orchesis is the home to over 60 students. The extracurricular activity is audition-based and meets year-round. In addition to the Fall and Spring performances at OPRF, Orchesis dancers perform at school assemblies, outreach and community events, and Illinois High School Dance Festival.
Orchesis provides student dancers the opportunity to dance and perform a variety of different styles, including contemporary, ballet, modern, hip hop, jazz, and tap. Individual pieces are choreographed by artists from all over the area, including OPRF staff, guest choreographers from the Chicago dance scene, such as Eckman, and the students themselves.
Riner and Petroliunas, who also sponsors OPRF's Dance Club, work hard to give the dancers a wide range of experiences, exposure, and professional mentoring.
A critical part of the professional atmosphere is the performance surface the company rolls out onto the OPRF auditorium stage for performances. Purchased with a grant from the Huskie Booster Club, the "marley" floor is a manufactured vinyl that is laid on top of the existing stage to provide a safe, non-stick and soft floor for dance. The reusable floor allows Orchesis to convert the auditorium into a professional dance venue. After the performance, it is simply rolled up and stowed for the next performance. Orchesis is a vibrant, sizable, and successful after-school activity for OPRF students focused on dance. With the support of the engaging co-directors, the administration, parents and Huskie Boosters, Orchesis is well-positioned to continue providing a safe and positive experience for our student dancers and their audiences. For more information on Orchesis, contact Lucy Riner at lriner@oprfhs.org or Ann Petroliunas at apetroliunas@oprfhs.org
Article contributed by Cathy Yen
Wrestling Program: We Got Your Back
The winning ways of the top-ranked OPRF wrestling program and its amazing leader Mike Powell are well known and well publicized. But what goes on behind the scenes of each big win is equally impressive.
First, there are the scores of wrestlers who are not varsity starters. These young men -- many of whom probably would be starters at any other school -- push the top wrestlers at every practice, spar with them, nip at their heels, and cheer on their wins. And, of course, each prepares for that call to step up.
Next come the assistant coaches, most of whom are still built like the wrestling champs they once were. These men pour themselves into the team as if the boys were their own sons. They give up Saturdays and evenings to help further Coach Powell's vision.
Not far behind are the families. From laundering sweats and packing healthy lunches to waking up at 5 a.m. on Saturdays to drive their sons to meets, these families provide the foundation for success.
Volunteers are another giant part of the program. Selling concessions, maintaining the website, taking photos, organizing events, raising money -- just about anything the team needs done gets done because volunteers step up.
The Huskie Booster Club also plays a role, most recently providing funds for a new three-sided scoreboard that is seen at every home meet.
Of course, all of this behind-the-scenes effort, time, and money is willingly provided by people eager to be part of this team. Everything is done "Huskie Style." But the next time you read about the varsity team bringing home the trophy, remember the much-bigger team backing them up.
Mike Powell Sports Illustrated Article ---- Man In Full
OPRF Fosters Future Scientists
The world needs more scientists, and OPRF's after-school research lab is working on filling that need. More than 100 students gather in the lab, a former wood shop, to conduct independent research on mice, microbes, and dozens of organisms in between.
"It opens up their world to new opportunities," says science teacher Bill Grosser, who notes that the students in the lab reflect the race and gender mix of the school as a whole.
One resource available to the students is a spectrophotometer that allows them to analyze the frequency of lightwaves, which leads to an understanding of the material or object reflecting the lightwaves, Grosser says. The spectrophotometer was recently purchased with assistance of the OPRF Booster Club.
The club boasts more than fancy equipment. A group of five students from Dominican University volunteer as mentors to the students, and lead teacher Allyson Hennings offers her expert guidance.
Among the recent successes: One student who began her high school career as just an average science student has now earned a scholarship to study science at the University of North Carolina!
