Reporter/Met • mysuburbanlife.com • Friday, April 5, 2013 • LEM
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OPINIONS n LAST WEEK’S WEB POLL QUESTION: Do you have student loan debt?
45 PERCENT: Yes 21 PERCENT: No, it’s paid off 18 PERCENT: No, didn’t take out loans for college 15 PERCENT: No, but my children do
Prom, graduation celebrations must remain safe, festive As Lemont High School students enter the homestretch of the 2012-13 school year, learning remains our top priority. However, upcoming nonacademic milestone events — including prom and graduation — will supply students with lifelong memories. Prom activities and graduation parties generate a lot of fun, COMMUNITY but unfortunately, some stuVOICE dents make poor choices during these festivities by consuming Mary Ticknor alcoholic beverages or partaking in drug use. The combination of driving and drinking or drug use is a frightening thought for all of us, especially when it involves young people. Although this concern is with us throughout the year, it is heightened during April and May. Lemont High School takes a number of steps to encourage our students to enjoy themselves safely and responsibly. Thanks in part to a grant from the Lemont High School Educational Foundation, all Lemont High School students will take part in our annual Pre-Prom Assembly. This event features a guest speaker whose message is a strong reminder to students about the need to consider both the consequences of their actions and the benefits of making healthy choices. After our newest graduates cross the stage on May 24, Project Graduation will provide them with an all-night outing that is both safe and fun. Held on campus, Project Graduation is organized by parents, faculty and members of the community, and is intended not only to provide a good time, but also to reduce the chance of any student being involved in an alcohol- or drug-related accident. Parents, community members and local businesses are encouraged to consider donating food, drawing prizes, money or time to help make Project Graduation a night to remember. Adults who furnish alcohol to minors face criminal and civil liability. As a form of preventive public service, Lemont High School and the Lemont Police Department have partnered to provide parents and community members an avenue to report suspected underage consumption if they become aware of a party at which alcohol will be served. Please contact Detective Dan Dykshorn at 630-243-3229 to report such activities or to ask related questions. The ending of the school year, and the sense of accomplishment it provides, puts everyone in a festive mood. We appreciate the support from our parents and the Lemont community as they help us provide our students with safe, responsible year-end celebrations.
Mary Ticknor is superintendent of Lemont High School District 210 J.Tom Shaw, publisher jtshaw@shawmedia.com 630-427-6210
Dave Lemery, managing editor dlemery@shawmedia.com 630-427-6250
n THIS WEEK’S WEB POLL QUESTION: What’s the most important issue in the upcoming elections? Vote online at mysuburbanlife.com.
8THUMBS UP/THUMBS DOWN
Submitted photo
Michelle Lenz (left, front row), Frank Gomulka, Emily Bober, Daniel William Harty, Elise Viz, Joe Storti, Susan Marie Westman (middle row), Nathan Alonso, Ashley Kikos, Niko Anaya, Brooke Gawel, Matthew Mikota, state Sen. Michael Hastings (back row), U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski and Lyons Mayor Chris Getty attend the All American Boy & Girl Award Ceremony for seventh- and eighth-grade students at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills.
U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-3rd District, of Western Springs recently held his annual All American Boy & Girl Award Ceremony for seventh- and eighth-grade students. The 106 finalists were selected from several thousand applicants to appear before a panel of judges for a formal interview. Lemont students who received awards included seventh-grade boys Joe Storti, St. Alphonsus/ St. Patrick School; and Frank Gomulka, S.S. Cyril & Methodius School; seventh-grade girl Elise Viz, S.S. Cyril & Methodius School; and eighth-grade girl Susan Marie Westman, Lemont Montessori School. The Advocate Good Samaritan Quarryman 10 Mile & 5K presented by Dick Pond Athletics is returning to Lemont for its eighth year on Saturday, April 13, and is open for registration. The race date has been moved to April 13, from its traditional Saturday before Mothers Day, to accommodate local businesses and the very busy May race schedule, said race director Dave Fako. Registration and information about the Quarryman can be found at www. quarrymanchallenge.com. Jerry Moore, news editor jmoore@shawmedia.com 630-427-6256
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. First Amendment, U.S. Bill of Rights