2012 Village of Phoenix Newsletters

Dr. Teresa Hill takes over as new superintendent

Congratulations are in order!

Dr. Douglas C. Hamilton retires as Superintendent of School District 151 Page 13

VOLUME 11 No. 1 | 2012-2013

Visit us online at villageofphoenix.com

GRAND OPENING OF

Barack Obama Learning Center Phoenix celebrates

40th Anniversary

of The Thornridge High School Championship Basketball Teams!

Story on page 28

THE FINAL YEAR OF PHOENIX FEST? You can help keep it going.-See how on pages 4 & 17

Dr. Teresa Hill takes over as new superintendent

Congratulations are in order!

Dr. Douglas C. Hamilton retires as Superintendent of School District 151 Page 13

VOLUME 11 No. 1 | 2012-2013

Visit us online at villageofphoenix.com

GRAND OPENING OF

Barack Obama Learning Center Phoenix celebrates

40th Anniversary

of The Thornridge High School Championship Basketball Teams!

Story on page 28

THE FINAL YEAR OF PHOENIX FEST? You can help keep it going.-See how on pages 4 & 17

FROM THE VILLAGE CLERK //// 2012-2013 The clerk’s Office and Water Department’s Office Hours are as follows: MONDAY: 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. TUESDAY: 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY: 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. THURSDAY: 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. FRIDAY: 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Office is open the third Saturday of each Month: 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

•New Years Day •Memorial Day •Independence Day (4th of July) •Labor Day •Thanksgiving day •Christmas Day

Vehicle Stickers The deadline to purchase vehicle stickers did not change. The deadline remains February 15th. A late fee of $20.00 is added to the regular price if you purchase your vehicle sticker late. The fee to purchase stickers is as follows: Regular price $30.00, senior citizens and disabled $15.00 (with proof of age and or disability). Truck stickers are priced according to size. $30.00, $35.00 and $40.00.

Please note: All returned checks will be assessed a $25 fee. No exceptions.

Door-to-door Sales People The Village is still experiencing door-todoor salespeople, attempting to have you change your utility service, such as gas and electricity. You as a homeowner have the right to deny anyone access to your home. If you experience a problem with door-to-door sales people please don’t hesitate to call the Police Department at (708) 0331-2192 or the Village Hall at (708) 331-2636.

Effective July 15, 2012, all Lawn Care Contractors are required to purchase a License for cutting grass in the community.

Please advise your contractor of the new requirement and advise them to contact the Village Hall for more information.

Dog License Requirement Every dog owner who harbors or keeps a dog within the Village of Phoenix is required to purchase a dog tag and show proof of rabies inoculation. The fee to purchase a dog tag is $5.00, and can be purchased from the Village Clerk’s Office.

Garbage Pick up Day Garbage is picked up every Tuesday. The only time this changes is, if the scavenger service observes a holiday that falls on Monday. In that case, our garbage will be picked up on Wednesday. Our scavenger observes the following holidays.

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

THE PHOENIX RISING Published by Village of Phoenix 633 East 151st Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 331-1455 Editor-In-Chief Mayor Terry Wells Editorial Assistants Felicia S. Khalis Jannie Beasley Johnnie M. Lane Darnell H. Sanford Editorial Board Albert Kirklin Martina Lane-Mahaffey Elizabeth Loggins Willie Mae Smith Ernestine Proctor-Harris Melvin Kimbrough Pictures by Lucille Barr Darnell Sanford Layout & Design Benny Williams 1-888-757-0007

Every home is allowed to place out one large item per week for pick up. Please adhere to this rule. The large items consist of furniture, mattresses, couches etc. Items such as refrigerators, washers and dryers, hot water tanks, TV’s and microwaves can be placed out for scrap trucks to pick up. These individuals who scrap usually pick up these items early. Please do not place your garbage out for pick up before Monday evening.

Citations will be issued for those citizens who disregard this requirement. The Village has experienced a rash of citizens loosing their garage containers. Therefore, please remove your garbage can back to the rear of your home, once it has been emptied. Citizens are encouraged to dispose of tree limbs, branches and shrubbery by cutting them in lengths no longer than 4 feet, tying bundling and placing them out with your regular garbage. All residents are required to obtain a dumpster for disposing of construction material. All contractors performing construction work in the Village are required to have a license and building permit. If the homeowner is performing work, he/she too, must apply for a permit and let the building inspector make a decision as to whether a permit is required. Some contractors have had their license revoked by the State of Illinois.

The Attorney General files those complaints with the Village and therefore the Village can pass that information along to its citizens.

Hunting and Fishing License The Village Clerk sells hunting and fishing license. The fee to purchase license is set by the Department of Conservation. The fees are posted in the Village Hall.

Board Meetings Regular Board meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the council room of the Village Hall, 633 E. 151st Street. During the summer months, the Board will hold one regular board meeting per month. If you have a concern and plan to attend a meeting, please call the Village Hall for date of the next meeting.

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK //// 2012-2013 THORNRIDGE CHAMPIONS 1971-72 This year will celebrate what many feel is the most memorable event in the history of the Village of Phoenix. It is hard to believe that this is the 40th anniversary of the Thornridge Basketball team winning the state championship.

In fact the Falcons won back to back championships in 1971 and ‘72. The 1972 team is generally regarded as the greatest team in state history. Where were you 40 years ago when a group of athletes from Phoenix captivated basketball fans all over the state?

Mayor Terry Wells

Greetings Residents!

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trust that things are well with you and your loved ones. Even though times are difficult the Village has been able to maintain adequate staffing levels and continue to provide quality services to our residents. This year will mark the anniversary of several historic events in the Village, but also provide a glimpse of a bright future.

BARACK OBAMA LEARNING CENTER This is also the 20th anniversary of Phoenix Fest. It started out as an idea to have a picnic in the park and has turned into one of the largest festivals in the South Suburbs. We hope that you will join us in August as we celebrate these two historic events.

We will celebrate the past but the future as well. That future is the opening of the Barack Obama Learning Center. Phoenix will have the distinction of having the first Public Building in the United States named after the 44th President. At this point the building is about 95% complete, we are planning an open house in late August or early September.

WELCOME ABOARD I would like to take this opportunity to welcome two new faces to our staff.

Darnell Sanford is our new Village Administrator and George Johnson is our new Police Chief. Both men bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Village.

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Even though times are difficult the Village has been able to continue to provide quality services to our residents.

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Phoenix will have the distinction of having the first Public Building in the United States named after the 44th President.

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 3

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK //// 2012-2013 BEST WISHES DR. HAMILTON On a personal note I would like to congratulate Dr. Douglas Hamilton on his retirement from School District 151. Dr. Hamilton served as principal at Coolidge for seven years before taking over as Superintendent. Dr. Hamilton will be missed, but will forever be a part of the Village of Phoenix.

PHOENIX FEST 2012 The Fest this year is going to have several challenges. If you visit the site you will see a great deal of construction going on. That is because Coolidge is completing a massive reconstruction project. The project is due to be completed in August of 2013 and will use much of the area that we normally use for the festival. We will work around the construction, things may be a little tight but we will make it work. Unfortunately, this is the price we all have to pay for progress.

As all of you prepare for the 20th celebration of Phoenix Fest, there is a possibility that this may be our last festival. If that is the case it’s been a great run. The only way we will be able to continue is with more community participation.

If Phoenix Fest means as much to you as we, the fest committee believe it does, then we will see you at our next meeting on August 15, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the MPSC Building.

This promises to be a very busy summer. We thank you for your support and may God continue to bless this community.

-Terry Wells

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I would like to congratulate Dr. Douglas Hamilton on his retirement from School District 151.

Dr. Douglas Hamilton and Mrs. Hamilton.

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Phoenix Welcomes Aboard Darnell Sanford as Village Administrator!

We welcome longtime Village resident Darnell H. Sanford as our new Village Administrator.

Darnell graduated from both Coolidge and Thornton High School. He attended Thornton Jr. College, State College of Iowa and Illinois State University. Mr. Sanford served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959. He was previously employed at Thornton Township High School and Kennedy King College. Mr. Sanford attends Covenant United Church of Christ in South Holland. Welcome aboard Mr. Sanford!

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

Mayoral Rendezvous While in town recently, Former Mayor January Belmont stopped by to pay us a visit.

LIBRARY BOARD NEWS //// 2012-2013 DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE

MARTINA MAHAFFEY

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The Phoenix Public Library would like to encourage you to participate in our coming events.

We offer something for everyone

Barack Obama Learning Center Grand Opening

or some residents, it’s a dream come true, while Sunday, August 19th, 2012 other’s never dared to dream. Yet, the residents of the Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m Village of Phoenix will soon be able to cross the threshold into a library all their own. The Barack Obama Learning Center will officially open its doors Sunday, August 19th, Annual Back to School – The Safeway Fair 2012.

Saturday, August 25th, 2012 In April 1987, the residents of the Village of Phoenix votHawkins Multi-Purpose Center Parking Lot ed to establish the Phoenix Public Library Board of Trust10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon ees. The purpose of the Board was to provide library services to all residents of the Village. Soon after, in 1988, the Monthly Book Club Resumes Library Board entered into a contract with the Harvey Public Library which allowed village residents to obtain a library Thursday, September 6th, 2012 card and have full access to Harvey’s library and its services.

Barack Obama Learning Center 7:00 p.m.

Even though the goal of providing library services to the residents of the village was fulfilled, board members still Annual Family Reading Night longed for “our own.” A library room was established in Saturday, November 10th, 2012 the William Hawkins Multi Purpose Center where students Barack Obama Learning Center 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. could come and check out books. With the help of the Village of Phoenix, two computer labs were established, one for students and one for adults, providing internet access and Phoenix Library Board Members computer training.

Jessica Buckner – President Board members continued to dream and our discussions Loretta Wells – Vice-President changed to, why can’t we have our own library? About 4 Ernestine Proctor-Harris – Treasurer years ago, library trustees began to spend their Saturday Martina Mahaffey – Recording Secretary mornings visiting different libraries throughout the state, Dorothy Carter – Finance Secretary gathering ideas and support. Following these trips, the Elizabeth Loggins – Public Relations foundation of a tri-partnership library came to be.

Gloria Dudley – Publicity Twenty-five years later, the Barack Obama Learning Center will open its doors. The learning center is a Tripartnership with the Phoenix Public Library Board of Trustees, the Village of Phoenix and School District 151.

The new library will be a welcome addition to the community as well as to the students of School District 151.

Initially, our goal was to provide library services to the residents of the Village of Phoenix. Soon we will proudly provide those library services at the Barack Obama Learning Center, located at 155th Street and 8th Avenue, Phoenix, Illinois.

History will be made when the ribbon is cut and the doors to the library are opened on August 19th, 2012. Yet, all the hard work and meeting hours that brought us to this point were well worth it when a student said to me, “I am so excited that I can go to the library where I live.” So yes, dreams really do come true!

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 5

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

Working toward a better community!

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he village is excited as always to submit applications to receive funding for projects in our community. Our current grant awards are as follows: $150,000.00 for Sidewalk Replacement - Village Wide $800,000.00 for Water Main/Sewer Replacement & Demolition Project (CDBG “IKE”) $100,000.00 for Energy Efficient Street Lighting Village Wide Project

The village is very appreciative of all grants funding that we have received and we hope that you are too. We continue to strive to make our village a safe, clean and healthy place to live. Should you have any questions, concerns, comments or even some suggestions please give me a call at (708) 331-1456 or email me at: lindacole@villageofphoenix.com.

-Linda Mitchell-Cole

Phoenix Pom Pon Girls put on car wash “fun”-raiser

Watch our Phoenix Pom Pon Girls perform at Phoenix Family Festival 2012!

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS //// 2012-2013 BEYOND THE BADGE

BY CHIEF GEORGE JOHNSON

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he Phoenix Police is committed to enhancing the quality of life for our citizens. We also value and protect the quiet, family oriented lifestyle that our Village residents enjoy. As Chief of Police, I am proud of the fact that the Village of Phoenix is an oasis of family living in the south suburbs. Our leadership is committed to finding new and creative ways to involve our officers in the community and our community members in a productive exchange with the police.

Community Policing is at the core of everything we do.

Over the next year, expect to see many positive changes in the police department.

We are currently seeking to broaden the community programs the police department leads.

SENIOR SITE Most of our residents are familiar with our Senior Site and I-Watch programs. The Senior Site program keeps us in touch with the needs of our most treasured citizens, our seniors. This year, we will again partner with Sheriff Tom Dart to bring the Sheriff ’s Senior Academy to our citizens. Through this program, our seniors learn about police procedure and how to keep themselves safe from all sorts of threats, including scams that target the elderly.

men and women of our village. Open to youth ages 12-19, our cadet program will help guide our young people in the right direction and create the future men and women who will serve as police officers.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Partnering with the Phoenix Fire Department, we will work to create an Emergency Management Agency to better serve our community. The offshoot of public safety will extend our reach in the case of any disaster or other public need. It is yet another way we will work side-by-side with our community, for the benefit of our community.

We don’t have all the answers… we don’t have all the solutions. By partnering police and community, we have it all.

We value and protect the quiet, family oriented lifestyle that our village residents enjoy.

Would you like to be involved in any of these programs? Contact our Community Liaison, Deputy Chief George Bowman at 708.331.2193 or visit our website at: www. phoenixpd.net.

I-WATCH The Phoenix Police I-Watch program continues to provide for the safety of our citizens and their property. By involving our residents in crime prevention and detection, we can then see what you see and hear what you hear.

POLICE CADET PROGRAM We look forward to building a new Police Cadet program within the next twelve months. This program will provide productive, worthwhile distraction for the young

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 7

PARK DISTRICT NEWS //// 2012-2013

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he Phoenix Park District embraces the diversity of our community and our goal is to offer recreational programs that cater to all of our citizens.

With childhood obesity being a significant public health problem in the United States, one of our major initiatives is to offer programs that are geared toward promoting the health and well being of our youth. So, we ask that you support the Park District by regular participation in sponsored activities.

We want to work with you, our community to provide activities, and offer tips and tools that will help you and your family improve your health.

Our website will highlight: • sample eating plans • ideas on physical activity • fun nutritious recipes

A neighborhood which is clean, safe, healthy, and a pleasure to view improves the quality of life of every citizen in the community.

Board of Commissioners Mildred Garcia, President Lori Hagler, Vice-President Roosevelt Thomas, Treasurer Sharmin (Debbie) Bartholomew, Executive Director BROOME PAVILION IS NOW OPEN FOR RENTAL MON-SUN (7AM-8PM). DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FROM OUR WEBSITE OR PICK ONE UP FROM THE VILLAGE HALL 633 E. 151ST ST. PHOENIX, IL Phoenix Park District Beautification Club The Phoenix Park District commissioners would like to encourage our community members to support our community Beautification Club.

A neighborhood which is clean, safe, healthy, and a pleasure to view improves the quality of life of every citizen in the community. More clubs are forming now more than ever around the nation. Join Today! Enter your pictures of landscaping (flowers, brick, etc.). Three winners will be announced on August 16th 2012 at our regular board meeting and December 20th 2012 for Holiday decorations.

Winners will be on our website, Facebook, and Flicker page. Email: Debbie@phoenixparkdistict.com

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

Park District holds first annual Car and Bike Show!

FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS //// 2012-2013 BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE

BY CHIEF HOWARD FISHER

The Phoenix Fire Department clearly understands how important it is to maintain a level of fire protection for our community and residents. As Chief, I have put into place a Business Strategy Plan that outlines our department goals and focus points for the next 5 years. With this plan, a higher standard has been set for our department and services that we provide to our residents.

GRANTS and AWARDS In November of 2011, our fire department received a $12,000.00 grant to upgrade our lighting system in the fire station. The grant was to replace all the old light fixtures with new high energy efficient ballast, light holders and bulbs. These changes enhance the brightness of our station and reduce the amount of watts previously used. We will continue to make our fire station into a green energy efficient station.

Recently, the Phoenix Fire Department applied for $45,000.00 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide each household with a fire extinguisher. This will help us reduce the amount of damage to your property that comes from kitchen fires. We will keep you posted if awarded. If we miss you or you do not have a Carbon Monoxide Detector, please call the fire station at (708) 331-2182.

Members of the Phoenix Fire Department on Residents Appreciation Day handed out smoke detectors and CL2 detectors.

TRAINING FOR YOU SAFETY I cannot stress how proud I am of my personnel. They continue to make our community and residents safer by continuing to train at the level of the Illinois State Fire Marshall, ISO and the Department of Labor. We have a total of 3,200 documented training hours for 2012. We have personnel who have attended training in New Mexico, Dallas and New Orleans for arson and leadership classes.

As Fire Chief of this wonderful organization and community, I will continue to lead our department in the direction and will strive to provide the best service. We will also continue to educate our residents in safety and fire prevention.

Our department is always open to the public, so if you have a chance, stop by and see us!

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 9

PUBLIC WORKS NEWS //// 2012-2013

Hats off to our Public Works Department Ernestine P. Harris, Trustee Melvin Davis Sr. Johnny Stewart Johnnie E. Proctor Pete Rials Arthur Williams Earl Rucker Albert Kirklin, Trustee

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he Public Works Department is responsible for the daily operation, maintenance, and upkeep of the Village of Phoenix. They will also continue to provide safe, effective, and reliable services for the residents. Many of their responsibili-

ties vary from maintaining the water system, storm drainage system, cleaning the vacant lots and keeping the streets clear of ice, snow and debris. This department has had and continues to make a noteworthy impact on the day to day maintenance of our village in

VILLAGE ORDINANCES //// 2012-2013 The summer weather is here and the Mayor and the Board of Trustees want to remind our residents of a few ordinances:

keeping it clean and safe for our residents.

The Public Works department will also strive to quickly address and resolves citizen complaints and emergencies. Please continue to be supportive and help keep our village clean.

Congratulations to William Pete Beard who retired from the department after thirty years of service.

Thank you Pete!

Lawn Service Any landscaping service must register at the Village Hall.

The permit must be displayed whenever the landscaper is in the Village.

Car Repair It is prohibited to repair cars in front of homes Basketball Hoops Basketball Hoops are not allowed in the street – they must be kept in your private driveway.

Dog Owners It is your responsibility to remove and discard any dog waste from our vacant lots, parkways, playgrounds and buildings. Licenses are required for each dog you own and proof of rabies inoculation. Dog tags can be purchased from the Village Hall.

Enjoy the summer and be safe!

William Pete Beard

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

A Pictorial Review of The Obama Learning Center & Coolidge Renovations

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2 Coolidge junior high is undergoing a major face lift, the additions will double the size of the current school and will provide our children with the best learning environment possible. The renovations are due to be completed by August 2013.

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PICTURED: 1. Construction of the New Obama Learning Center.

2. Artist rendering of Coolidge completed renovations.

3. Groundbreaking for the New Obama Learning Center.

4. Artist rendering of Coolidge new addition.

5. Site of Coolidge 7th/8th grade new addition.

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2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 11

Phoenix Salutes Our Residents Achievements Undefeated!

Thornton H.S. Freshman Basketball team finished the season UNDEFEATED; 23-0!

Jeanine Ragland finished Number 2 in her graduating class at Thornton H.S. with a 4.5 GPA

Dr. Joyce Ester Dr. Joyce Ester, a product of the Village of Phoenix was named President of Kennedy-King College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. Dr. Ester, a former resident of the Village, attended Coolidge Middle School and Thornridge High School. Needless to say, we are very proud of Dr. Ester!

James B. Ferrell is a life-

Ernestine Proctor-Harris Mike Berry

a former Village of Phoenix Resident.

He has appeared several times on the TV-Show, “The Game”

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Ernestine Proctor-Harris recently passed the School Administrator’s Type 75 Test! With this accomplishment, she is qualified to serve in the capacity of a School Administrator. Congratulations!

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

long resident of the Village of Phoenix. He attended Coolidge Middle School and Thornridge High School. James is a graduate of North Park University with a degree in Communications. His most recent film and television credits are Superman - Man of Steel and 42 (The Jackie Robinson Story), Boss, MTV Underemployed, an Allstate Print AD and a Kyocera Cell phone commercial. We are Very PROUD to call him OURS!

DeAnna Mahaffey Freshman Student of the Year at Thornton H.S

MILESTONES //////

Dr. Teresa Hill Chosen as New School District 151 Board of Education Superintendent On April 16, 2012 the South Holland School District 151 Board of Education hired Dr. Teresa Hill as the new superintendent. Dr. Hill will officially begin her role on July 1, 2012 as Dr. Douglas C. Hamilton retires on June 29, 2012.

Dr. Hill was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Dolton, Illinois where she attended Dolton West School District 148, Franklin Elementary and Lincoln Junior High Schools.

She is an alumna of Thornton Township High School District 205, Thornridge. Dr. Hill received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Masters of Science in Educational Administration & Foundations; and Doctor of Education degrees from Illinois State University.

Dr. Hill’s current position is Assistant Superinten-

dent for Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development at Barrington Community Unit School District 220. Prior to that, Dr. Hill held the position of Assistant Superintendent of Bloomington Public Schools District 87.

During her career, Dr. Hill has served as Classroom Teacher; Support Services Teacher; Assistant Principal; Principal; and Assistant Superintendent.

She is also a published author of Every Closed Eye Ain’t Sleep: African American Perspective on the Achievement Gap. Dr. Hill’s specialties include: Curriculum Development; Literacy; Professional Development; School & District Improvement Planning; Goal Setting & Strategic Planning; Closing Achievement Gaps; Education Policy and Teacher Supervision & Evaluation.

RIGHT: Dr. Teresa Hill, Bishop Anthony Hill & David Hill.

BELOW: South Holland SD 151 Board of Education & Dr. Teresa Hill

A tough act to follow: Dr. Douglas Hamilton retires as Superintendent of School District 151 The Village of Phoenix would like to thank Dr. Hamilton for his dedicated service to the children of the Village of Phoenix. Dr. Hamilton served 10 years as principal at Coolidge and for the past 10 years as Superintendent of District 151.

Last year we honored Dr. Hamilton as an Honorary Phoenix resident, but anyone that knows him can tell you that his heart is and always will be with Phoenix. Dr. Hamilton, we wish you the best, enjoy your retirement!

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 13

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

Phoenix joined Thornton Township in celebration of Women’s History Month

Talk show host Val Warner (right) meets Phoenix First Lady Loretta Wells (center) and Trustee Ernistine Harris

A Walk to Read

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riends of The Phoenix Library sponsored a walk to raise money for the Obama Library.

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

Career Day at Coolidge Middle School proved to be a great day for students Right: State Representative William “Will” Davis was the guest speaker at Coolidge for Career Day. Below left: State Representative William “Will” Davis poses for picture with Phoenix Trustee Ernestine Proctor-Harris during Coolidge Career Day. Below right: Channel 5 news anchor Art Norman (2nd from right) visits Coolidge School for Career Day..

Honoring Barry Bonds

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rea Mayors joined the City of Harvey for the street dedication for baseball’s AllTime Homerun leader, Barry Bonds.

A Political Pal Mayor Wells and our new State Senator Elect, Napoleon Harris.

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 15

~ PHOENIX FEST MemorIES ~

Let’s keep the memories alive!

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

IS THIS THE LAST YEAR OF THE PHOENIX FEST?

Let us never forget the

FRIENDS FAMILY

FOOD&FUN of The Phoenix Festival

PHOENIX FEST COMMITTEE

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s all of you prepare for the 20th anniversary of Phoenix Fest, we are faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to continue this summer tradition. While many communities have either cancelled or seriously scaled back on festivals, Phoenix Fest has continued to grow.

But we are experiencing problems that may be too difficult to overcome.

Our problem is that we are lacking the manpower needed to continue the quality programs that many of you have become accustomed to. You see, most villages rely on paid workers to operate their festivals, so when budgets are tight, these are the first programs slated for the chopping block.

Phoenix Fest is unique in that all of our workers are volunteers. When the fest begins, we have people lined up asking for jobs, when we tell them that we are all volunteers, they have a difficult time believing it. That is why we have been so successful. It is this small group that simply does this for the love of Phoenix, not money!

The volunteers do not just show up during the 1st weekend of August, they raise money all year round that culminates in the big summer party.

Some fundraisers are successful and some are not. The group members put on at least 10 events per year and in all cases end up spending large amounts of their own money. The problem is that this group is getting older and does not have the energy that it once had. It has been a long time since we’ve added a new member, in fact, that last new member was three years ago and she was actually an old member that came back. So what you have is a group that is suffering from burn-out. People always say that they will help, but very few actually do, most of it is just lip service. Others show up thinking that the work is easy only to find out that it is not and they soon disappear.

So is this our final year? We can truly say that it has been a great run, and that we all have memories that will last a lifetime. Just imagine some young person that is 25 years old now, telling his grandchildren in 2058 about the fond memories of that Fest that Phoenix once had, MAN DID WE HAVE FUN BACK IN THE DAY!

AUGUST 2012 | PHOENIX RISING

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Phoenix Fest 2012

Entertainment Line-up FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 • Big Gerald & The Just Kick-in it Band • Sky Line Band • Roshawn Lyles (formerly of Kwiet Storm)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 Matt Lloyd (MC) • Parade

(Line-up @9:00am Phoenix Fire Station/ 10:00am kick-off time)

• Opening ceremony • Local R & B, Rap and Hip-Hop Groups • Carlos Cannon

(R&B and Smooth Urban Jazz)

• The Casanova Kings • Curtis Clark and Co. • Family Reunion Band • The Voices • J-Artist • Greg Rose SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 Debbie Crosslin (MC) • Line Dancing Demonstration Instructor: Dawn Avery (the dancindeeva)

• New Direction • One 4 Christ • N’tegri-t • Lonnie Harris • Melodies of Praise • Odis Webster & Co. • Christ Miracle & Healing Center Church • RDM Praise Dancers • Mt Zion MB Unity Choir • The Family • More Local Choirs

~ PHOENIX FEST MemorIES ~

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

Phoenix continue to celebrate our seniors

Golden Agers Club members

80!

Mrs. Anna Gatlin recently celebrated her 80th birthday.

87!

Mr. Herbert Boykin recently celebrated his 87th birthday!

90!

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Barr on her 90th birthday!

Best wishes to Ms. Deirdre Johnson

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ayor Wells and the Entire Village of Phoenix wishes long time resident and village employee Deirdre Johnson “Best Wishes” on her retirement. Dee served as Village Water Clerk for 22 years (July 1990 - May, 2012.) GOD BLESS YOU DEE!

WW2 Heroes

Mayor Wells and Thornton Township Clerk Jacki Riveria, meet a couple of real life WW2 heroes members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen 99th Squadron.

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 21

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES //// 2012-2013 Epiphany Hair Studio 507 E. 153rd Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 825-9151

Profiles II Barber Shop 503 E. 153rd Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 331-3010

Unity Cafe 15417 Vincennes Road Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 969-9951

Home Day Care 832 E. 153rd Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 257-2022

Phoenix Laundry Mat 515 E. 153rd Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 935-2600

Smiling Faces Daycare Center 15113 Halsted Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 331-9133

D. Anderson Contracting, Inc. 625 E. 154th Place Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 596-0120

Whisperwood Funeral Chapel 15261 Vincennes Road Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 339-0210

Eternity Funeral Services 15261 Vincennes Road Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 333-9144

Smitty’s Lounge 15101 Halsted Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 331-4472

Citgo Gibson’s Quick Mart 15221 Halsted Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 596-5085

Rudy’s Auto Repair 15305 Halsted Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 339-2306

D&D Construction 15223 S. Vincennes Road Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 596-3959

Moses Wills Trucking 645 155th Place Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 333-6561

Treasure Tours, Inc. 900 E. 153rd Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 333-9640

HOUSES of WORSHIP in PHOENIX

EVANS COMMUNITY CHURCH 723 E. 153rd Street, Phoenix, IL. 60426 Rev. Tyrone W. Coleman Phone 708-339-0469 Sunday School: 9:15 a.m.

Worship Service: Sun. 11 a.m.

PEACE AND GOODWILL CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST 15311 Third Avenue, Phoenix, IL. 60426 Elder Fisher Cook, Pastor Phone 708-339-0440 Sunday School: Sunday 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service : Sunday 10:15 a.m

DANIEL CHAPEL A.M.E. ZION CHURCH 15250 Third Avenue, Rev. Derrick Simmons, Pastor Phone 708-339-1990.

Contemporary Service: Sunday 8:00 a.m.

Sunday School: Sunday 9:15 a.m.

Worship Service and Children’s Morning Worship: Sunday 10:50 a.m.

Monday Prayer Service: 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Study: 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

MT. ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 15354 Eight Avenue P. O. Box 2545 Phoenix, IL. 60426 Rev. Dr. Edward L. Jones Phone 708-339-1026 Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service: Sun. 11 a.m.

FAITH FELLOWSHIP AND LOVE COGIC 701 East 151st Street, Phoenix, IL. 60426 Rev. Parthenia Stegall, Pastor Phone 708-342-1887

WELCOME MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 15110 Ninth Avenue, Phoenix, IL. 60426 Rev. S. L. Dudley, Pastor Phone 708-225-1788

NEW COVENANT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 15213 Fifth Avenue P. O. Box 1358 Phoenix, IL. 60426 Rev. Dr. Richard D. McCreary II, Pastor Phone 708-331-3661

Bible Class and Deliverance Prayer Service: Thurs. 6 p.m.

Sunday School: 10 a.m

Sunday School: Sunday 10 a.m.

Worship Service : Sunday 11 a.m

Worship Service: Sunday 11:30 a.m.

Midweek Service and Bible study: Wednesday 7:00 p.m

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Builds New Church Congratulations to Mt. Zion on the building of their new church. The church will be completed later this year.

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

Remembering our

LOVED ONES

Village of Phoenix joins the families in remembrance of their loved ones

Nancy Elizabeth Byrdlong The Village of Phoenix gives our heartfelt condolences to Corporal Cory Byrdlong and Family. We continue to keep you in our prayers.

Josephine Baker Thomas R. Childs Charles Lancelot Clark Erma Jean Davis Katie M. Foxworth Melvin Gholson Clara Halbert

Stella M. Boykin

Alma Lawrence

Pamela Joyce Herring Geneva Howell Ethel Humes William Johnson, Jr. Edmond Junior Lee King Judy Rose McCullar

William E. Elston, Jr. The Village of Phoenix would like to extend our condolences to the family of William Elston. William Elston served as village attorney from 1980-2000.

Althea Mae Mason Blanche M. Reed George Phillip Ross Denise Delores Smith Annie Mae Strong Inez Talley Ethel L. VanHorn-Wells

James Oliver Minerva Wade Frances Wilson Gammon Trimuel. Sr.

Village of Phoenix Gives a Special Thanks To The Renagade Riders

Special Thanks to “Dragon� and the Renegade Riders, every year for the past 15 years, this organization donates hundreds of dollars in toys to the children of our community during the holidays

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 23

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

Phoenix Treasurer marks 25-year Milestone

S

eptember of 2012 will be my 25th anniversary as Village Treasurer. In the many years that I’ve held this position, I have seen how revenue that we receive from various taxing venues has affected our village as well as surrounding communities.

My concern is how we as citizens can help increase our incoming revenue by participating in questionnaires that affect us in many ways, for example, the 2010 Census. When I started working for the Village in 1987, the population was 2,850 accord-

ing to the 1980 census statistics.

In 1990 the count was 2,217, in 2000 it was 2,157 and in 2010 the population total was 1,964. This caused a decrease in revenue that we receive from various government agencies. What happened?

I don’t believe that our population dropped, I believe that we as citizens and village residents did not do what we were supposed to do, complete the census information so that we would be properly counted.

Why am I writing this article today? I want us to be mindful of how a decrease in revenue af-

fects our community. This makes it difficult to employ more police officers, fire fighters and village public workers who maintain the

upkeep of our community. After school activities and many other projects have to be cut back because our funding is cut due to the drop in our population. Every part of revenue that we receive is based on a percentage as a whole. This affects everything that we do. The year 2020 may seem a long way off, but eight years is just around the corner. I hope that we will see a great increase in our village. The time is now to educate your family and friends on the importance of participating in the Census.

Thank you, Melba Ferrell

Lending a helping hand!

Scott Cohen’s 4th-Year Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary to Jerome & Melba N. Ferrell!

August 20, 2012 24

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

Scott Cohen (center) pictured with (L-R) Village Clerk Johnnie Lane, Trustee Ernestine Proctor-Harris, Trustee Martina Lane-Mahaffey and Mayor Terry Wells.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 25

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013 Village of Phoenix Leaders The Phoenix Rising of the Future Basketball Team!

Newspaper wants your input!

If you would like to include information like birthdays, new births, new residents, weddings etc. or have another idea for the paper, we want to know.

Contact us at: (708) 331-1455 or (708) 331-2641 Pictured is Coach Larry Lashley, Village Trustees, Melvin Kimbrough and Ernestine ProctorHarris with the Leaders of the Future Basketball Team.

The team had its Awards Banquet on Monday, July 30, 2012. The guest speaker was Senator Elect, Napoleon Harris.

Village of Phoenix gives recognition to Mr. Mario Moody and the Coolidge Middle school Bands

26

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

Phoenix Facts! //

? ? ? Did You Know? 444

4In 1962, a part of Phoenix deannexed to become a part of Harvey.

This is the only documented case in history in the State of Illinois of a section of a community deannexing into a neighboring community.

from Thornridge High School is regarded as the greatest team in Illinois history. The team usually relied on six players, five of them from Phoenix.

4 The city’s first sewer and streets were built in 1925.

4The USA Today rated the 1972 Thornridge team as number 5 on its

4A Phoenix mayor placed himself in jail because he refused a judge’s order to raise the city’s taxes to pay for the increased price of streets and sewers. He claimed that he made a promise to the citizens that he would not raise taxes. That was Mayor Smudzinski in 1927.

4Kevin Duckworth played 12 years in the NBA which includ-

4 The first families to live in Phoenix were Dutch, Irish, Polish and

German ancestry.

ed two all star games and playing in the NBA finals with Portland against the Chicago Bulls. He was a graduate of Thornridge High School.

4Quinn Buckner played for 12 years in the

NBA. He won a title with the Boston Celtics in 1984 and later coached the Dallas Mavericks.

He also played with the Milwaukee Bucks.

4 Melvin Van Peebles, famous actor and film

director of the movie “Sweetback” grew up in Phoenix. He is the father of actor and director Mario Van Peebles.

4 In the 1950s, Phoenix had a policeman who

could not read or write if he stopped you for a traffic violation, he would make you write out your own ticket.

list of greatest high school teams of all time. The Falcons are rated ahead of teams led by Wilt Chamberlin and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

Melvin Van Peebles

4Phoenix is the only town to have three high school players named as the Sun Times High School player of the year. Lloyd Batts was honored in 1970 while playing for Thornton. In 1972, Quinn Buckner won the award as he led Thornridge High School to a state championship. Kim McQuarter won the honor in 1984 as she led Marshall High School to a state championship.

4 Johnnie Lane has served longer as a village official than any other person in the history of the Village of Phoenix.

4Coolidge Jr. High won the boys state championship in basketball

4Jessica Buckner was the first African American Principal of

4The Coolidge girls won the state title in basketball in 1991 and 1992.

Coolidge School. She was later selected as the first Black Superintendent of School District 151.

in 1983 and 1984.

4John Henry Styles was the first black police officer in Phoenix.

4Phoenix once had a semi-pro baseball team. The team was called the Tigers and they played on the field that was the west side of Halsted and 153rd Street.

4In 1900, Battling Nelson, who later became the lightweight champion of the world, fought his first four bouts in McLatchy’s Bar at 155th and Halsted in Phoenix. Nelson held the championship from 1904-1907. He eventually was defeated by the first Black champion of the world, Joe Gaines in 1907.

4The 1972 state basketball team

Coolidge Tigers. Girls 1992 Championship Basketball Team.

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 27

Phoenix celebrates the

40th Anniversary

of The Thornridge High School Basketball Champs!

HOW GOOD WERE THE FALCONS? • The team averaged 88 points per game • Finished the season 33-0 • The 1972 state championship team from Thornridge is generally regarded as the greatest team in Illinois High School Basketball history.

• Quinn Buckner was named National Player of the Year.

• In the championship game against Quincy, Thornridge won by a final score of 104-69.

It is the only time in history that a team has scored more than 100 points in a final game.

• In that game, Boyd Batts scored 25 points in the first half, Quincy only had 26.

• In 1972, no team came within 14 points of Thornridge. The team that came closest was district rival Thornton, which had as its star players, two residents from Phoenix.

• The USA Today rated the 1972 team as the fourth best team in high school history. The Falcons are rated ahead of teams led by Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and even Derrick Rose.

• In 1972 there was no 3 point shot, just imagine Boyd Batts shooting three pointers, how many points would the team have scored?

• In 1972 teams could not dunk the basketball, imagine Greg Rose with a 40 inch vertical dunking the ball against the opposition.

• The team usually relied on six players, five of them from Phoenix.

• “The Thornridge full court press was so devastating that even the guys without the ball had difficulty getting past the half court line.” -Wes Mason, Coach - Bloom High School

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

When Tigers Became Falcons The story of the Coolidge class of 1967 becoming the Thornridge Championship class of 1971

By James “Flash” Lashley PART 1 The Football Champions It was 45 years ago when 106 students left the friendly confines of Coolidge School and embarked on a journey that would go down in history. Little did these students know what awaited them. The Thornridge Falcons, who were they? All these students knew was that they were “supposed” to be headed to “Wildcat” country! That is Thornton Township High School Wildcats.

Well, sometime during the course of the school year of 1967, or even before then, it was decided that this would be the class that would integrate Thornridge High School and become the first black students to attend. Wow, this came as a complete shock, but we were up for the task. It was not easy.

However, our teachers did a tremendous job preparing us mentally, emotionally, as well as academically to compete in any classroom at any school.

Kudos to Mrs. Buckner, Mrs. Piernas, Mrs. Madgett, Mr. Dennison, Mrs. Long, Mr. Davis, Mrs. Feltus, school secretary Mrs. Farmer, our principal Mr.Billups and all the other staff members. Thank you all for the encouragement, the tireless efforts you instilled in us, making the Class of 1967, the “Best.” We won’t ever forget you!

This class would go on to take Thornridge by storm. By the time we were seniors, we were confident, and convinced that Champions, we were going to be! The football team led by “Big” Arthur Riley, Tyrone Lawrence, Michael “Buzz” Payne, Edgar Snoddy, a sensational junior Quinn “Q” Buckner, Jimmy Davis, and James “Flash” Lashley. Failure was not an option. We were willing to do whatever necessary to succeed!

This group was destined and determined to win. This team would go on to have an undefeated season, and bring Thornridge High School their first “Mythical” State Championship. It was called mythical, because back then there were no playoffs. The state championship was awarded to the team with the best record and statistics. That team posted a 9-0 record, with 3 shutouts; averaged 32pts on offense, while only allowing opponents an average of 4.0 points!

PART 2: The Basketball Champions The football team “kicked off ” one of the greatest athletic experiences that would go down in high school history. Now it was

time for some “hoops.” What you must understand, being from the Village of Phoenix, and being a Coolidge Tiger, losing was just not an option! The fact of the matter is we REALLY never learned how to lose, because we hardly ever did! At Coolidge, our baseball team only lost one game (5-4), and our basketball team was undefeated. Now I don’t know if we as players put pressure on ourselves, or if the teachers had us afraid “to lose,” either way winning was what they did!

The competition from within was fierce.

Practices were very competitive to say the least. Led by Michael “Duck” Henry, James “Puke” Loggins, and Capt. Tony “Grubbs” Jackson, the Falcons were set to take on all comers. Be the best, #1, you bet. (There were some other ex-tigers that made this team successful; “Q” Buckner, Boyd Batts, and super sophomore in the person of Greg Rose). This team was focused, especially after a defeat in the Christmas holiday tournament to Mounds Meridian. These guys got together and decided the buck stops here. They were determined to do whatever necessary to ensure victory….Period! This team would go on to run the table in the regular, and post season tournament. For the first time in history, the Thornridge Falcons were headed downstate. The air on the Thornridge bus was absolutely electric. Parents, students, everyone was excited. For the first time we as athletes felt “acceptance.”

It was just 4 years earlier that this group of students walked into Thornridge as the first Black students. Now 4 years later the Thornridge Falcons were playing for an Illinois State Basketball Championship!! To God be the glory!

All the tournament games were relatively close some even ‘nail biters.’ When all was said and done, the Thornridge Falcons led by some Coolidge Tigers captured their first state basketball championship!! Little did people know this was not the end; it was only the beginning. The ‘Best Team’ was yet to come.

PART 3: The Recognition There were a lot of firsts with THIS class; I’d like to recognize them at this time: A) Lenita Griffis; National Honor Society B) Kathy Calhoun; National Honor Society; Voted ‘Outstanding’ Senior C) Sheila Moore; Cheerleader; Homecoming Court; Voted ‘Outstanding’ Senior D) Rowena ‘Princess’ Henry Henry; Gymnastics; Cheerleader E) James ‘Puke’ Loggins; Voted Senior Class President; Homecoming Court F) Anthony ‘Grubbs’ Jackson; Captain State Champion Basketball G) Jimmy Davis; 5th place State Wrestling @ 112lbs.

H) Arthur Riley; All State Football; State champion in the shot and disc.; Voted ‘Outstanding’ Senior I) Tyrone Lawrence; All Conference Football J) Alexander Lawrence; Swimming K) Tyrone Smith; President, Boys Club L) Michael ‘Buzz’ Payne; All Conference Football M) James ‘Flash’ Lashley; Co-captain Track; Homecoming Court; Voted ‘Outstanding’ Senior; Student Council Special Advisor It has been 45 years since we left Tiger country & started our journey as Falcons.

Times have surely changed, we’ve lost some along the way; but through it all we survived and we’re STILL soaring! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Our hearts and prayers are continually with the families of our classmates, that are no longer with us; Sheila Moore, Rowena ‘Princess’ Henry, Michael ‘Buzz’ Payne, Anthony ‘Grubbs’ Jackson, ‘Big’ Arthur Riley, William ‘Whistle’ Lewis, and Otelius ‘TBone’ Gatlin.

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 29

~ Memory Lane ~

30

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

DO YOU RECOGNIZE ANYONE IN THIS PHOTO?

~ Memory Lane ~

DO YOU RECOGNIZE ANYONE IN THIS PHOTO?

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 31

~ MEMORY LANE ~ DO YOU RECOGNIZE ANYONE IN THESE PHOTOS?

32

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

SCHOOL NEWS 2012 TAFT SCHOOL

393 East 163rd Street • Harvey, IL. 60426 • Anthony Palomo, Principal

2011 Phoenix Family Reading Contest winners

1st Place

Madison Beard-Baker

2nd Place

Sinae Celmer

3rd Place

Nathalie Galvan

Pre K Kornaelius Minder Kadarius Minder Vanessa Ruiz Michael Byrd Brook Ford Layla Glass Fernando Zuniga Lovette Barjebo

Isabel Cyrnek Lauren Reynolds ReJae Gueringer Jeremiah Sutherland Alex Jackson Naomi Zuniga Justin Pleitez Oscar Cruz Cynthia Espinoza Victor Leon Cassandra Fernandez-Ortiz Larnell Palmer Dyamend Archibald Alexo Rasgado

Alexandra Barajas Marcos Nazario Rykia Fredrick Katelyn Gluth Andrea Huerta Andrea Ramirez Elijah Price

Vanessa Angulo Rihanna Cole Anthony Cortes Jalen Gresham Jazmyn Robertson Giada Vergara Samuel Villalobos Nathalia Zambrano Ixchel Alvarez Alonso Sepulveda

DaNateja Archibald Adolfo Cervantes Alexander Lopez Ezequiel Perez Caleb Steele Angela Ceron Jordon Cox Kelsey Engel Diamond foster

Joshua Zuniga Daniel Banks Jamir Brown Melissa Zuniga Yolonda Hoskins Demya Jackson Ajayne Long Jennifer Mejia Jasmine Reynolds

Abraham Sookdeosingh Ana Zambrano Jose Barajas Miguel Cano Alondra Diaz Michelle Esquivel Andrew Mack Leslie Leon Daniel Morales Eric Rossetti Juliana Salazar Christopher Vergara Jadyn Amos Da’Ja Edmondson

Cayla Robinson Tavian Travis Jasmine Chavez James Crump Kameara Kurns DaZaia Naudain John Sepulveda Aldo Solorio Damiya Terry Najaa Terry Amber Brooks Richard Fredrick Jacob Gluth Cory Lesser

Nia Moore Stephanie Nosike Jada Rucker Princess Alexander David Arambula Shayatta Foster Miguel Galvan John Gore Raziyah Karim Jayla Lesser Uleses Reyes Jor’ Dan Smith Azariya Hill

Kindergarten Randy Ackerman Kenya Clark Tai Crump Abigail Diaz Eligha Hammond Scott Jackson Bailey Palmer Shawn Phillips Lestee Roddy Harlem Adams

1st Grade Diego Alvarado Isaiah Hoofe Brianna McCorkle DaZhire Naudain Brooklyn Rimes Aniyah Stephens Taylor Stevenson Bria Williams Lorenzo Wilson Cedrick Adams Novial Adams Destiny Dillard Elise Jones Kamila Sandoval

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 33

SCHOOL NEWS 2012 EISENHOWER SCHOOL

16001 S. Minerva • South Holland, IL. 60473 • Dr. Ronda Towner, Principal SECOND GRADE Honor Roll Aguirre, Miguel Albaran, Francisco Alvardo, Nicolas Arroyo, Vincente Barjebo, Sue Bartholomew, Arrianna Bejarano, Nayilea Bobo, Barbraje Brown, Naomi Brown, Simone Burgess, Sinygha Burks, Bruce Burns, Ajani Byrd, Darren Caldwell, Myracle Cervantes, Jael Coffey, Dakota Cremer, Jeffrey Davila, Jovanni

Davis, Andjule Ewing, Kiyla Ford, Landon Gary, Niona Giron, Alan Harbaugh, Katia Hernandez, Aleza Hill, Lauren Ifebueme, Ryan James, Kenneth Jordan, Jayden Mansfield, Kamiko Mejia, Yair Miles, Justice Osunde, Ukienebo Phillips, Kyla Pleitez, Katerin Prado, Franco Rasgado, Valeria Sanders, Mikayla Sims, Lyric

Taylor, Kristin Turner, Kendrick Vega, Branda Whitaker, Reese Wiley, Trinity THIRD GRADE Honor Roll Baker, Dashawn Bass, DaShaun Blanco, Daniel Bolling, Alexander Booth, Mia Botley, Darius Boyd, Carol Bryant, Patrick Byrd, Julius Cole, Dylan Cole, Kennedi Cowyin, Aronae Craig, Jadyn

Craig, Jessica Diaz, Emily Diaz, Kimberly Footman-Stove, Dyamond Gomez, Jasmine Harvey, Lauryn Herrera, Lesli Kuyoro, Benjamin Liese, Robert Louissaint, Matthew Martinez, Ramon McKinney, James Mendoza, Alexia Miller, Aamiyah Navarro, Lizbeth Nosike, Christine Obichere, Kahari Oduwole, Ayomide Ojeda, Joshua Peralez, Destiny Phifer, AiYanna

Purry, Jhene Quiroz, Adriana Ramirez, Kassandra Ramos, Alex Reyes, Emireth Richardson, Jonathan Robertson, Jayla Rockett, Brian Rodgers, Lundyn Rodriguez, Fernanda Sefah, Lalia Sepulveda, Julissa Slater, Yasmine Stapleton, Matthew Stevenson, Chase Very, Giovanni Wilson, Darius Young-Perry, Christina Zambrano, Joshlyn

MADISON SCHOOL

15700 Orchjod Drive • South Holland, IL 60473 •Mrs. Regina Davis-Bridges, Ed,D, Principal FOURTH GRADE A’s Only Honor Roll Gross-Roberts, Alani Plascenia, Lizeth Sandoval, Alma Villegas, Kevin Williams, Derrick Zambrano, Carla FOURTH GRADE A/B Only Honor Roll Ali, Jade Allen, Jasmine Botley, Marsalis Bridgemon, Jayla Brown, Aniyah Catron, Milton Daniels, Jalen Edwards, Reginald Estrada, Marianna Fagan, Kai Fisher, Jeremiah Foster, David Gills, Curtis

34

Kidd, Niya Knox, Diamond Kurns, Kasyus Landingham, Eric Lopez, Ana Ma-Nwokenkwo, Markow Oduwole, Temidayo Ogletree, Michaela Perkins, Courtney Rasgado, Carlos Reed, Donte Ruiz, Diego Solorio, Armando Stapleton, Maurice Stevenson, Karley Torres, Andrea Unger, Demaya Vasquez, Alejandra Walker, Kirsten Williams, Angelique Williams, Kenneth Young, Amir Zambrano, Fabiola

PHOENIX RISING | AUGUST 2011

FOURTH GRADE SUPER CITIZENS Ana Cortez Jeremiah Fisher Marilyn Mata Andrea Torres Alejandra Vaszuez Carla Zambrano FIFTH GRADE A’s Only Honor Roll Byrd, Jason Coupet, Franese Gonzalez, Stephanie Neri, Julio Nugin, Alyssia Perez, Jesus FIFTH GRADE A/B Only Honor Roll Agwomoh, Marvin Angulo, Jose Boyd, Samantha Cholico, Daisy

Cortez, Elvia Cruz, Abraham De La Torre, Oscar Diaz, Fatima Ell, Eddie Faniyi, Sheriff Footman, Daniellah Gilbert, Lindola Gordon, Courtney Gray, Brian Harris, Malik Hernandez, Rubi Holman, A’Jah Hoskins, Ronald Ihejrika, Stedmon Johnson, Paul Jones, Nicholas Logan, Da’Quway Macias, Julie Martin, Diondrea Martinez, Gerardo McMiller, John Mercado, Gabriel Monterroso, Eddie

Moore, Caitlin Moore, Taheed Murillo, Joanna Nazario, Edgar Rangel, Lizbeth Rodriguez, Alexandra Rush, Michael Salazar, Gabriela Thornton, Jamila Nwokenkwo, Emmanuella Williams, Khaliyah Williams, Kyema Zaragonza, Lisette FIFTH GRADE SUPER CITIZENS Jordan Boyd, Malik Harris, Nayeli Munoz, Edgar Nazario, Julio Neri

SCHOOL NEWS 2012 THORNTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL 15001 Broadway • Harvey, IL. 60426 • Principal, Tony Ratliff SECOND QUARTER

FIRST QUARTER Bartholomew, Aaron Brown-Hooker, Katrina Bryant, Deshawn Cook, Tyteanna Davenport, Nicholas Epps, Desiree Hammett, Raven Hill, Ricky Hill, Wanya Huff, Devin Ikner, Mikal Johnson, Lashuan King, Sasha Mahaffey, DeAnna Mahaffey, Destiny Majors, Malcolm McHerron, Antaun Montgomery, Justin Ozoude, Dorian Parr, Karlos Rosas, Diana Watkins, Paul Watkins, Taylor Wheatley, Diamond Wheatley, Ryan Anthony Williams, Marrion

Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll High Honor Roll

THIRD QUARTER Alexander, Ariel L Allen, Bridgette Barbee, Tyler Davenport, Nicholas Hammett, Raven N Huff, Devin Ikner, Mikal V Johnson, Lashuan Mahaffey, DeAnna Mahaffey, Destiny McHerron, Antaun D Ozoude, Dorian Salazar, Johnathan States, Tyolis C Watkins, Taylor Wheatley, Diamond Wheatley, Ryan Anthony

Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll

EAllen, Bridgette Barbee, Shawn Brown-Hooker, Katrina Davenport, Nicholas Epps, Desiree Hammett, Raven Hill, Wanya Huff, Devin Ikner, Mikal Johnson, Lashuan Mahaffey, DeAnna Mahaffey, Destiny Majors, Malcolm McHerron, Antaun Ozoude, Dorian Rosas, Diana Watkins, Paul Watkins, Taylor Wheatley, Diamond Wheatley, Ryan Anthony Williams, Marrion

High Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll

FOURTH QUARTER Epps, Desiree Ikner, Mikal V Johnson, Lashuan Mahaffey, Destiny McHerron, Antaun D Ozoude, Dorian Ragland, Janine Barbee, Tyler Davenport, Nicholas Huff, Devin Mahaffey, DeAnna Majors, Malcolm McByrd, Dasia Watkins, Taylor Wheatley, Diamond Wheatley, Ryan Anthony Barbosa, Diego Bartholomew, Aaron Clark, Benjamin Drummer, Jasmine Hammett, Raven N Parr, Karlos D Watkins, Paul Williams, Marrion

4.0000 4.0000 4.0000 4.0000 4.0000 4.0000 4.5000 3.6667 3.7143 3.7143 3.8333 3.5714 3.5714 3.5000 3.5714 3.5714 3.2000 3.2000 3.0000 3.2000 3.0000 3.0000 3.2000 3.3333

Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING

35

MAYOR TERRY WELLS & THE VILLAGE OF PHOENIX CONGRATULATES OUR

COLLEGE GRADUATES! Aisha Burton

Aisha Burton is a graduate of the University of Illinois’ Honors College. She graduated with Honors in May, 2012 and was selected as a PREP Scholar for the University of Missouri’s Post-Baccalaureate Program in Research. Aisha plans to eventually work toward her Ph.D. in Cancer Research and is looking forward to attending the University of Missouri.

Aisha credits her fine schooling from District 151 and District 205 with preparing her for a career in science and research.

Brandon Herring

Brandon graduated this year with a degree from the University of Illinois. In his senior year at Thornton H.S., Brandon was selected as a National Scholar for the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Scholars. We congratulate Brandon on his Academic Excellence and Achievements!

Nathan Majors

Nathan R. Majors, a graduate of Thornton H.S., graduated 7th in his class from the University of Illinois, Urbana with a degree in Communications. He is the second oldest child in the Majors family and has always been a mentor for his siblings. He is employed with J.P. Morgan Chase in the call center in Elgin, Illinois.

Brittany Brooks

Brittany Brooks graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Sociology. She is currently employed with Thornton Township H.S. and she is attending Governors State University working on her Master’s degree.

Tamika Jackson

Tamika Jackson is a Graduate of ITT Tech with an ADN Degree in Nursing. She is currently employed at Ingalls Memorial Hospital. CONGRATS TAMIKA!

Kudos to Coolidge Middle School Honor Roll Fourth Quarter Honor Roll Sixth Grade Boyd, Leah Moore, Marcel Muhammad, Rashad

Seventh Grade Askew, Deja Griffin, Destiny Johnson, Triana Muhammed, Hassan Wardell, Zion Watkins, Temple

Eighth Grade Ezell, Cheyenne

FROM THE VILLAGE CLERK //// 2012-2013 The clerk’s Office and Water Department’s Office Hours are as follows: MONDAY: 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. TUESDAY: 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY: 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. THURSDAY: 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. FRIDAY: 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Office is open the third Saturday of each Month: 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

•New Years Day •Memorial Day •Independence Day (4th of July) •Labor Day •Thanksgiving day •Christmas Day

Vehicle Stickers The deadline to purchase vehicle stickers did not change. The deadline remains February 15th. A late fee of $20.00 is added to the regular price if you purchase your vehicle sticker late. The fee to purchase stickers is as follows: Regular price $30.00, senior citizens and disabled $15.00 (with proof of age and or disability). Truck stickers are priced according to size. $30.00, $35.00 and $40.00.

Please note: All returned checks will be assessed a $25 fee. No exceptions.

Door-to-door Sales People The Village is still experiencing door-todoor salespeople, attempting to have you change your utility service, such as gas and electricity. You as a homeowner have the right to deny anyone access to your home. If you experience a problem with door-to-door sales people please don’t hesitate to call the Police Department at (708) 0331-2192 or the Village Hall at (708) 331-2636.

Effective July 15, 2012, all Lawn Care Contractors are required to purchase a License for cutting grass in the community.

Please advise your contractor of the new requirement and advise them to contact the Village Hall for more information.

Dog License Requirement Every dog owner who harbors or keeps a dog within the Village of Phoenix is required to purchase a dog tag and show proof of rabies inoculation. The fee to purchase a dog tag is $5.00, and can be purchased from the Village Clerk’s Office.

Garbage Pick up Day Garbage is picked up every Tuesday. The only time this changes is, if the scavenger service observes a holiday that falls on Monday. In that case, our garbage will be picked up on Wednesday. Our scavenger observes the following holidays.

2

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

THE PHOENIX RISING Published by Village of Phoenix 633 East 151st Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 331-1455 Editor-In-Chief Mayor Terry Wells Editorial Assistants Felicia S. Khalis Jannie Beasley Johnnie M. Lane Darnell H. Sanford Editorial Board Albert Kirklin Martina Lane-Mahaffey Elizabeth Loggins Willie Mae Smith Ernestine Proctor-Harris Melvin Kimbrough Pictures by Lucille Barr Darnell Sanford Layout & Design Benny Williams 1-888-757-0007

Every home is allowed to place out one large item per week for pick up. Please adhere to this rule. The large items consist of furniture, mattresses, couches etc. Items such as refrigerators, washers and dryers, hot water tanks, TV’s and microwaves can be placed out for scrap trucks to pick up. These individuals who scrap usually pick up these items early. Please do not place your garbage out for pick up before Monday evening.

Citations will be issued for those citizens who disregard this requirement. The Village has experienced a rash of citizens loosing their garage containers. Therefore, please remove your garbage can back to the rear of your home, once it has been emptied. Citizens are encouraged to dispose of tree limbs, branches and shrubbery by cutting them in lengths no longer than 4 feet, tying bundling and placing them out with your regular garbage. All residents are required to obtain a dumpster for disposing of construction material. All contractors performing construction work in the Village are required to have a license and building permit. If the homeowner is performing work, he/she too, must apply for a permit and let the building inspector make a decision as to whether a permit is required. Some contractors have had their license revoked by the State of Illinois.

The Attorney General files those complaints with the Village and therefore the Village can pass that information along to its citizens.

Hunting and Fishing License The Village Clerk sells hunting and fishing license. The fee to purchase license is set by the Department of Conservation. The fees are posted in the Village Hall.

Board Meetings Regular Board meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the council room of the Village Hall, 633 E. 151st Street. During the summer months, the Board will hold one regular board meeting per month. If you have a concern and plan to attend a meeting, please call the Village Hall for date of the next meeting.

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK //// 2012-2013 THORNRIDGE CHAMPIONS 1971-72 This year will celebrate what many feel is the most memorable event in the history of the Village of Phoenix. It is hard to believe that this is the 40th anniversary of the Thornridge Basketball team winning the state championship.

In fact the Falcons won back to back championships in 1971 and ‘72. The 1972 team is generally regarded as the greatest team in state history. Where were you 40 years ago when a group of athletes from Phoenix captivated basketball fans all over the state?

Mayor Terry Wells

Greetings Residents!

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trust that things are well with you and your loved ones. Even though times are difficult the Village has been able to maintain adequate staffing levels and continue to provide quality services to our residents. This year will mark the anniversary of several historic events in the Village, but also provide a glimpse of a bright future.

BARACK OBAMA LEARNING CENTER This is also the 20th anniversary of Phoenix Fest. It started out as an idea to have a picnic in the park and has turned into one of the largest festivals in the South Suburbs. We hope that you will join us in August as we celebrate these two historic events.

We will celebrate the past but the future as well. That future is the opening of the Barack Obama Learning Center. Phoenix will have the distinction of having the first Public Building in the United States named after the 44th President. At this point the building is about 95% complete, we are planning an open house in late August or early September.

WELCOME ABOARD I would like to take this opportunity to welcome two new faces to our staff.

Darnell Sanford is our new Village Administrator and George Johnson is our new Police Chief. Both men bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Village.

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Even though times are difficult the Village has been able to continue to provide quality services to our residents.

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Phoenix will have the distinction of having the first Public Building in the United States named after the 44th President.

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FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK //// 2012-2013 BEST WISHES DR. HAMILTON On a personal note I would like to congratulate Dr. Douglas Hamilton on his retirement from School District 151. Dr. Hamilton served as principal at Coolidge for seven years before taking over as Superintendent. Dr. Hamilton will be missed, but will forever be a part of the Village of Phoenix.

PHOENIX FEST 2012 The Fest this year is going to have several challenges. If you visit the site you will see a great deal of construction going on. That is because Coolidge is completing a massive reconstruction project. The project is due to be completed in August of 2013 and will use much of the area that we normally use for the festival. We will work around the construction, things may be a little tight but we will make it work. Unfortunately, this is the price we all have to pay for progress.

As all of you prepare for the 20th celebration of Phoenix Fest, there is a possibility that this may be our last festival. If that is the case it’s been a great run. The only way we will be able to continue is with more community participation.

If Phoenix Fest means as much to you as we, the fest committee believe it does, then we will see you at our next meeting on August 15, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the MPSC Building.

This promises to be a very busy summer. We thank you for your support and may God continue to bless this community.

-Terry Wells

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I would like to congratulate Dr. Douglas Hamilton on his retirement from School District 151.

Dr. Douglas Hamilton and Mrs. Hamilton.

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Phoenix Welcomes Aboard Darnell Sanford as Village Administrator!

We welcome longtime Village resident Darnell H. Sanford as our new Village Administrator.

Darnell graduated from both Coolidge and Thornton High School. He attended Thornton Jr. College, State College of Iowa and Illinois State University. Mr. Sanford served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959. He was previously employed at Thornton Township High School and Kennedy King College. Mr. Sanford attends Covenant United Church of Christ in South Holland. Welcome aboard Mr. Sanford!

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

Mayoral Rendezvous While in town recently, Former Mayor January Belmont stopped by to pay us a visit.

LIBRARY BOARD NEWS //// 2012-2013 DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE

MARTINA MAHAFFEY

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The Phoenix Public Library would like to encourage you to participate in our coming events.

We offer something for everyone

Barack Obama Learning Center Grand Opening

or some residents, it’s a dream come true, while Sunday, August 19th, 2012 other’s never dared to dream. Yet, the residents of the Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m Village of Phoenix will soon be able to cross the threshold into a library all their own. The Barack Obama Learning Center will officially open its doors Sunday, August 19th, Annual Back to School – The Safeway Fair 2012.

Saturday, August 25th, 2012 In April 1987, the residents of the Village of Phoenix votHawkins Multi-Purpose Center Parking Lot ed to establish the Phoenix Public Library Board of Trust10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon ees. The purpose of the Board was to provide library services to all residents of the Village. Soon after, in 1988, the Monthly Book Club Resumes Library Board entered into a contract with the Harvey Public Library which allowed village residents to obtain a library Thursday, September 6th, 2012 card and have full access to Harvey’s library and its services.

Barack Obama Learning Center 7:00 p.m.

Even though the goal of providing library services to the residents of the village was fulfilled, board members still Annual Family Reading Night longed for “our own.” A library room was established in Saturday, November 10th, 2012 the William Hawkins Multi Purpose Center where students Barack Obama Learning Center 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. could come and check out books. With the help of the Village of Phoenix, two computer labs were established, one for students and one for adults, providing internet access and Phoenix Library Board Members computer training.

Jessica Buckner – President Board members continued to dream and our discussions Loretta Wells – Vice-President changed to, why can’t we have our own library? About 4 Ernestine Proctor-Harris – Treasurer years ago, library trustees began to spend their Saturday Martina Mahaffey – Recording Secretary mornings visiting different libraries throughout the state, Dorothy Carter – Finance Secretary gathering ideas and support. Following these trips, the Elizabeth Loggins – Public Relations foundation of a tri-partnership library came to be.

Gloria Dudley – Publicity Twenty-five years later, the Barack Obama Learning Center will open its doors. The learning center is a Tripartnership with the Phoenix Public Library Board of Trustees, the Village of Phoenix and School District 151.

The new library will be a welcome addition to the community as well as to the students of School District 151.

Initially, our goal was to provide library services to the residents of the Village of Phoenix. Soon we will proudly provide those library services at the Barack Obama Learning Center, located at 155th Street and 8th Avenue, Phoenix, Illinois.

History will be made when the ribbon is cut and the doors to the library are opened on August 19th, 2012. Yet, all the hard work and meeting hours that brought us to this point were well worth it when a student said to me, “I am so excited that I can go to the library where I live.” So yes, dreams really do come true!

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

Working toward a better community!

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he village is excited as always to submit applications to receive funding for projects in our community. Our current grant awards are as follows: $150,000.00 for Sidewalk Replacement - Village Wide $800,000.00 for Water Main/Sewer Replacement & Demolition Project (CDBG “IKE”) $100,000.00 for Energy Efficient Street Lighting Village Wide Project

The village is very appreciative of all grants funding that we have received and we hope that you are too. We continue to strive to make our village a safe, clean and healthy place to live. Should you have any questions, concerns, comments or even some suggestions please give me a call at (708) 331-1456 or email me at: lindacole@villageofphoenix.com.

-Linda Mitchell-Cole

Phoenix Pom Pon Girls put on car wash “fun”-raiser

Watch our Phoenix Pom Pon Girls perform at Phoenix Family Festival 2012!

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POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS //// 2012-2013 BEYOND THE BADGE

BY CHIEF GEORGE JOHNSON

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he Phoenix Police is committed to enhancing the quality of life for our citizens. We also value and protect the quiet, family oriented lifestyle that our Village residents enjoy. As Chief of Police, I am proud of the fact that the Village of Phoenix is an oasis of family living in the south suburbs. Our leadership is committed to finding new and creative ways to involve our officers in the community and our community members in a productive exchange with the police.

Community Policing is at the core of everything we do.

Over the next year, expect to see many positive changes in the police department.

We are currently seeking to broaden the community programs the police department leads.

SENIOR SITE Most of our residents are familiar with our Senior Site and I-Watch programs. The Senior Site program keeps us in touch with the needs of our most treasured citizens, our seniors. This year, we will again partner with Sheriff Tom Dart to bring the Sheriff ’s Senior Academy to our citizens. Through this program, our seniors learn about police procedure and how to keep themselves safe from all sorts of threats, including scams that target the elderly.

men and women of our village. Open to youth ages 12-19, our cadet program will help guide our young people in the right direction and create the future men and women who will serve as police officers.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Partnering with the Phoenix Fire Department, we will work to create an Emergency Management Agency to better serve our community. The offshoot of public safety will extend our reach in the case of any disaster or other public need. It is yet another way we will work side-by-side with our community, for the benefit of our community.

We don’t have all the answers… we don’t have all the solutions. By partnering police and community, we have it all.

We value and protect the quiet, family oriented lifestyle that our village residents enjoy.

Would you like to be involved in any of these programs? Contact our Community Liaison, Deputy Chief George Bowman at 708.331.2193 or visit our website at: www. phoenixpd.net.

I-WATCH The Phoenix Police I-Watch program continues to provide for the safety of our citizens and their property. By involving our residents in crime prevention and detection, we can then see what you see and hear what you hear.

POLICE CADET PROGRAM We look forward to building a new Police Cadet program within the next twelve months. This program will provide productive, worthwhile distraction for the young

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PARK DISTRICT NEWS //// 2012-2013

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he Phoenix Park District embraces the diversity of our community and our goal is to offer recreational programs that cater to all of our citizens.

With childhood obesity being a significant public health problem in the United States, one of our major initiatives is to offer programs that are geared toward promoting the health and well being of our youth. So, we ask that you support the Park District by regular participation in sponsored activities.

We want to work with you, our community to provide activities, and offer tips and tools that will help you and your family improve your health.

Our website will highlight: • sample eating plans • ideas on physical activity • fun nutritious recipes

A neighborhood which is clean, safe, healthy, and a pleasure to view improves the quality of life of every citizen in the community.

Board of Commissioners Mildred Garcia, President Lori Hagler, Vice-President Roosevelt Thomas, Treasurer Sharmin (Debbie) Bartholomew, Executive Director BROOME PAVILION IS NOW OPEN FOR RENTAL MON-SUN (7AM-8PM). DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FROM OUR WEBSITE OR PICK ONE UP FROM THE VILLAGE HALL 633 E. 151ST ST. PHOENIX, IL Phoenix Park District Beautification Club The Phoenix Park District commissioners would like to encourage our community members to support our community Beautification Club.

A neighborhood which is clean, safe, healthy, and a pleasure to view improves the quality of life of every citizen in the community. More clubs are forming now more than ever around the nation. Join Today! Enter your pictures of landscaping (flowers, brick, etc.). Three winners will be announced on August 16th 2012 at our regular board meeting and December 20th 2012 for Holiday decorations.

Winners will be on our website, Facebook, and Flicker page. Email: Debbie@phoenixparkdistict.com

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Park District holds first annual Car and Bike Show!

FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS //// 2012-2013 BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE

BY CHIEF HOWARD FISHER

The Phoenix Fire Department clearly understands how important it is to maintain a level of fire protection for our community and residents. As Chief, I have put into place a Business Strategy Plan that outlines our department goals and focus points for the next 5 years. With this plan, a higher standard has been set for our department and services that we provide to our residents.

GRANTS and AWARDS In November of 2011, our fire department received a $12,000.00 grant to upgrade our lighting system in the fire station. The grant was to replace all the old light fixtures with new high energy efficient ballast, light holders and bulbs. These changes enhance the brightness of our station and reduce the amount of watts previously used. We will continue to make our fire station into a green energy efficient station.

Recently, the Phoenix Fire Department applied for $45,000.00 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide each household with a fire extinguisher. This will help us reduce the amount of damage to your property that comes from kitchen fires. We will keep you posted if awarded. If we miss you or you do not have a Carbon Monoxide Detector, please call the fire station at (708) 331-2182.

Members of the Phoenix Fire Department on Residents Appreciation Day handed out smoke detectors and CL2 detectors.

TRAINING FOR YOU SAFETY I cannot stress how proud I am of my personnel. They continue to make our community and residents safer by continuing to train at the level of the Illinois State Fire Marshall, ISO and the Department of Labor. We have a total of 3,200 documented training hours for 2012. We have personnel who have attended training in New Mexico, Dallas and New Orleans for arson and leadership classes.

As Fire Chief of this wonderful organization and community, I will continue to lead our department in the direction and will strive to provide the best service. We will also continue to educate our residents in safety and fire prevention.

Our department is always open to the public, so if you have a chance, stop by and see us!

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PUBLIC WORKS NEWS //// 2012-2013

Hats off to our Public Works Department Ernestine P. Harris, Trustee Melvin Davis Sr. Johnny Stewart Johnnie E. Proctor Pete Rials Arthur Williams Earl Rucker Albert Kirklin, Trustee

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he Public Works Department is responsible for the daily operation, maintenance, and upkeep of the Village of Phoenix. They will also continue to provide safe, effective, and reliable services for the residents. Many of their responsibili-

ties vary from maintaining the water system, storm drainage system, cleaning the vacant lots and keeping the streets clear of ice, snow and debris. This department has had and continues to make a noteworthy impact on the day to day maintenance of our village in

VILLAGE ORDINANCES //// 2012-2013 The summer weather is here and the Mayor and the Board of Trustees want to remind our residents of a few ordinances:

keeping it clean and safe for our residents.

The Public Works department will also strive to quickly address and resolves citizen complaints and emergencies. Please continue to be supportive and help keep our village clean.

Congratulations to William Pete Beard who retired from the department after thirty years of service.

Thank you Pete!

Lawn Service Any landscaping service must register at the Village Hall.

The permit must be displayed whenever the landscaper is in the Village.

Car Repair It is prohibited to repair cars in front of homes Basketball Hoops Basketball Hoops are not allowed in the street – they must be kept in your private driveway.

Dog Owners It is your responsibility to remove and discard any dog waste from our vacant lots, parkways, playgrounds and buildings. Licenses are required for each dog you own and proof of rabies inoculation. Dog tags can be purchased from the Village Hall.

Enjoy the summer and be safe!

William Pete Beard

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

A Pictorial Review of The Obama Learning Center & Coolidge Renovations

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2 Coolidge junior high is undergoing a major face lift, the additions will double the size of the current school and will provide our children with the best learning environment possible. The renovations are due to be completed by August 2013.

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PICTURED: 1. Construction of the New Obama Learning Center.

2. Artist rendering of Coolidge completed renovations.

3. Groundbreaking for the New Obama Learning Center.

4. Artist rendering of Coolidge new addition.

5. Site of Coolidge 7th/8th grade new addition.

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Phoenix Salutes Our Residents Achievements Undefeated!

Thornton H.S. Freshman Basketball team finished the season UNDEFEATED; 23-0!

Jeanine Ragland finished Number 2 in her graduating class at Thornton H.S. with a 4.5 GPA

Dr. Joyce Ester Dr. Joyce Ester, a product of the Village of Phoenix was named President of Kennedy-King College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. Dr. Ester, a former resident of the Village, attended Coolidge Middle School and Thornridge High School. Needless to say, we are very proud of Dr. Ester!

James B. Ferrell is a life-

Ernestine Proctor-Harris Mike Berry

a former Village of Phoenix Resident.

He has appeared several times on the TV-Show, “The Game”

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Ernestine Proctor-Harris recently passed the School Administrator’s Type 75 Test! With this accomplishment, she is qualified to serve in the capacity of a School Administrator. Congratulations!

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

long resident of the Village of Phoenix. He attended Coolidge Middle School and Thornridge High School. James is a graduate of North Park University with a degree in Communications. His most recent film and television credits are Superman - Man of Steel and 42 (The Jackie Robinson Story), Boss, MTV Underemployed, an Allstate Print AD and a Kyocera Cell phone commercial. We are Very PROUD to call him OURS!

DeAnna Mahaffey Freshman Student of the Year at Thornton H.S

MILESTONES //////

Dr. Teresa Hill Chosen as New School District 151 Board of Education Superintendent On April 16, 2012 the South Holland School District 151 Board of Education hired Dr. Teresa Hill as the new superintendent. Dr. Hill will officially begin her role on July 1, 2012 as Dr. Douglas C. Hamilton retires on June 29, 2012.

Dr. Hill was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Dolton, Illinois where she attended Dolton West School District 148, Franklin Elementary and Lincoln Junior High Schools.

She is an alumna of Thornton Township High School District 205, Thornridge. Dr. Hill received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Masters of Science in Educational Administration & Foundations; and Doctor of Education degrees from Illinois State University.

Dr. Hill’s current position is Assistant Superinten-

dent for Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development at Barrington Community Unit School District 220. Prior to that, Dr. Hill held the position of Assistant Superintendent of Bloomington Public Schools District 87.

During her career, Dr. Hill has served as Classroom Teacher; Support Services Teacher; Assistant Principal; Principal; and Assistant Superintendent.

She is also a published author of Every Closed Eye Ain’t Sleep: African American Perspective on the Achievement Gap. Dr. Hill’s specialties include: Curriculum Development; Literacy; Professional Development; School & District Improvement Planning; Goal Setting & Strategic Planning; Closing Achievement Gaps; Education Policy and Teacher Supervision & Evaluation.

RIGHT: Dr. Teresa Hill, Bishop Anthony Hill & David Hill.

BELOW: South Holland SD 151 Board of Education & Dr. Teresa Hill

A tough act to follow: Dr. Douglas Hamilton retires as Superintendent of School District 151 The Village of Phoenix would like to thank Dr. Hamilton for his dedicated service to the children of the Village of Phoenix. Dr. Hamilton served 10 years as principal at Coolidge and for the past 10 years as Superintendent of District 151.

Last year we honored Dr. Hamilton as an Honorary Phoenix resident, but anyone that knows him can tell you that his heart is and always will be with Phoenix. Dr. Hamilton, we wish you the best, enjoy your retirement!

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

Phoenix joined Thornton Township in celebration of Women’s History Month

Talk show host Val Warner (right) meets Phoenix First Lady Loretta Wells (center) and Trustee Ernistine Harris

A Walk to Read

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riends of The Phoenix Library sponsored a walk to raise money for the Obama Library.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

Career Day at Coolidge Middle School proved to be a great day for students Right: State Representative William “Will” Davis was the guest speaker at Coolidge for Career Day. Below left: State Representative William “Will” Davis poses for picture with Phoenix Trustee Ernestine Proctor-Harris during Coolidge Career Day. Below right: Channel 5 news anchor Art Norman (2nd from right) visits Coolidge School for Career Day..

Honoring Barry Bonds

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rea Mayors joined the City of Harvey for the street dedication for baseball’s AllTime Homerun leader, Barry Bonds.

A Political Pal Mayor Wells and our new State Senator Elect, Napoleon Harris.

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 15

~ PHOENIX FEST MemorIES ~

Let’s keep the memories alive!

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

IS THIS THE LAST YEAR OF THE PHOENIX FEST?

Let us never forget the

FRIENDS FAMILY

FOOD&FUN of The Phoenix Festival

PHOENIX FEST COMMITTEE

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s all of you prepare for the 20th anniversary of Phoenix Fest, we are faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to continue this summer tradition. While many communities have either cancelled or seriously scaled back on festivals, Phoenix Fest has continued to grow.

But we are experiencing problems that may be too difficult to overcome.

Our problem is that we are lacking the manpower needed to continue the quality programs that many of you have become accustomed to. You see, most villages rely on paid workers to operate their festivals, so when budgets are tight, these are the first programs slated for the chopping block.

Phoenix Fest is unique in that all of our workers are volunteers. When the fest begins, we have people lined up asking for jobs, when we tell them that we are all volunteers, they have a difficult time believing it. That is why we have been so successful. It is this small group that simply does this for the love of Phoenix, not money!

The volunteers do not just show up during the 1st weekend of August, they raise money all year round that culminates in the big summer party.

Some fundraisers are successful and some are not. The group members put on at least 10 events per year and in all cases end up spending large amounts of their own money. The problem is that this group is getting older and does not have the energy that it once had. It has been a long time since we’ve added a new member, in fact, that last new member was three years ago and she was actually an old member that came back. So what you have is a group that is suffering from burn-out. People always say that they will help, but very few actually do, most of it is just lip service. Others show up thinking that the work is easy only to find out that it is not and they soon disappear.

So is this our final year? We can truly say that it has been a great run, and that we all have memories that will last a lifetime. Just imagine some young person that is 25 years old now, telling his grandchildren in 2058 about the fond memories of that Fest that Phoenix once had, MAN DID WE HAVE FUN BACK IN THE DAY!

AUGUST 2012 | PHOENIX RISING

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Phoenix Fest 2012

Entertainment Line-up FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 • Big Gerald & The Just Kick-in it Band • Sky Line Band • Roshawn Lyles (formerly of Kwiet Storm)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 Matt Lloyd (MC) • Parade

(Line-up @9:00am Phoenix Fire Station/ 10:00am kick-off time)

• Opening ceremony • Local R & B, Rap and Hip-Hop Groups • Carlos Cannon

(R&B and Smooth Urban Jazz)

• The Casanova Kings • Curtis Clark and Co. • Family Reunion Band • The Voices • J-Artist • Greg Rose SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 Debbie Crosslin (MC) • Line Dancing Demonstration Instructor: Dawn Avery (the dancindeeva)

• New Direction • One 4 Christ • N’tegri-t • Lonnie Harris • Melodies of Praise • Odis Webster & Co. • Christ Miracle & Healing Center Church • RDM Praise Dancers • Mt Zion MB Unity Choir • The Family • More Local Choirs

~ PHOENIX FEST MemorIES ~

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

Phoenix continue to celebrate our seniors

Golden Agers Club members

80!

Mrs. Anna Gatlin recently celebrated her 80th birthday.

87!

Mr. Herbert Boykin recently celebrated his 87th birthday!

90!

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Barr on her 90th birthday!

Best wishes to Ms. Deirdre Johnson

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ayor Wells and the Entire Village of Phoenix wishes long time resident and village employee Deirdre Johnson “Best Wishes” on her retirement. Dee served as Village Water Clerk for 22 years (July 1990 - May, 2012.) GOD BLESS YOU DEE!

WW2 Heroes

Mayor Wells and Thornton Township Clerk Jacki Riveria, meet a couple of real life WW2 heroes members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen 99th Squadron.

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SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES //// 2012-2013 Epiphany Hair Studio 507 E. 153rd Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 825-9151

Profiles II Barber Shop 503 E. 153rd Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 331-3010

Unity Cafe 15417 Vincennes Road Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 969-9951

Home Day Care 832 E. 153rd Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 257-2022

Phoenix Laundry Mat 515 E. 153rd Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 935-2600

Smiling Faces Daycare Center 15113 Halsted Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 331-9133

D. Anderson Contracting, Inc. 625 E. 154th Place Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 596-0120

Whisperwood Funeral Chapel 15261 Vincennes Road Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 339-0210

Eternity Funeral Services 15261 Vincennes Road Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 333-9144

Smitty’s Lounge 15101 Halsted Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 331-4472

Citgo Gibson’s Quick Mart 15221 Halsted Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 596-5085

Rudy’s Auto Repair 15305 Halsted Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 339-2306

D&D Construction 15223 S. Vincennes Road Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 596-3959

Moses Wills Trucking 645 155th Place Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 333-6561

Treasure Tours, Inc. 900 E. 153rd Street Phoenix, IL 60426 (708) 333-9640

HOUSES of WORSHIP in PHOENIX

EVANS COMMUNITY CHURCH 723 E. 153rd Street, Phoenix, IL. 60426 Rev. Tyrone W. Coleman Phone 708-339-0469 Sunday School: 9:15 a.m.

Worship Service: Sun. 11 a.m.

PEACE AND GOODWILL CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST 15311 Third Avenue, Phoenix, IL. 60426 Elder Fisher Cook, Pastor Phone 708-339-0440 Sunday School: Sunday 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service : Sunday 10:15 a.m

DANIEL CHAPEL A.M.E. ZION CHURCH 15250 Third Avenue, Rev. Derrick Simmons, Pastor Phone 708-339-1990.

Contemporary Service: Sunday 8:00 a.m.

Sunday School: Sunday 9:15 a.m.

Worship Service and Children’s Morning Worship: Sunday 10:50 a.m.

Monday Prayer Service: 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Study: 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

MT. ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 15354 Eight Avenue P. O. Box 2545 Phoenix, IL. 60426 Rev. Dr. Edward L. Jones Phone 708-339-1026 Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service: Sun. 11 a.m.

FAITH FELLOWSHIP AND LOVE COGIC 701 East 151st Street, Phoenix, IL. 60426 Rev. Parthenia Stegall, Pastor Phone 708-342-1887

WELCOME MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 15110 Ninth Avenue, Phoenix, IL. 60426 Rev. S. L. Dudley, Pastor Phone 708-225-1788

NEW COVENANT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 15213 Fifth Avenue P. O. Box 1358 Phoenix, IL. 60426 Rev. Dr. Richard D. McCreary II, Pastor Phone 708-331-3661

Bible Class and Deliverance Prayer Service: Thurs. 6 p.m.

Sunday School: 10 a.m

Sunday School: Sunday 10 a.m.

Worship Service : Sunday 11 a.m

Worship Service: Sunday 11:30 a.m.

Midweek Service and Bible study: Wednesday 7:00 p.m

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Builds New Church Congratulations to Mt. Zion on the building of their new church. The church will be completed later this year.

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Remembering our

LOVED ONES

Village of Phoenix joins the families in remembrance of their loved ones

Nancy Elizabeth Byrdlong The Village of Phoenix gives our heartfelt condolences to Corporal Cory Byrdlong and Family. We continue to keep you in our prayers.

Josephine Baker Thomas R. Childs Charles Lancelot Clark Erma Jean Davis Katie M. Foxworth Melvin Gholson Clara Halbert

Stella M. Boykin

Alma Lawrence

Pamela Joyce Herring Geneva Howell Ethel Humes William Johnson, Jr. Edmond Junior Lee King Judy Rose McCullar

William E. Elston, Jr. The Village of Phoenix would like to extend our condolences to the family of William Elston. William Elston served as village attorney from 1980-2000.

Althea Mae Mason Blanche M. Reed George Phillip Ross Denise Delores Smith Annie Mae Strong Inez Talley Ethel L. VanHorn-Wells

James Oliver Minerva Wade Frances Wilson Gammon Trimuel. Sr.

Village of Phoenix Gives a Special Thanks To The Renagade Riders

Special Thanks to “Dragon� and the Renegade Riders, every year for the past 15 years, this organization donates hundreds of dollars in toys to the children of our community during the holidays

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 23

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

Phoenix Treasurer marks 25-year Milestone

S

eptember of 2012 will be my 25th anniversary as Village Treasurer. In the many years that I’ve held this position, I have seen how revenue that we receive from various taxing venues has affected our village as well as surrounding communities.

My concern is how we as citizens can help increase our incoming revenue by participating in questionnaires that affect us in many ways, for example, the 2010 Census. When I started working for the Village in 1987, the population was 2,850 accord-

ing to the 1980 census statistics.

In 1990 the count was 2,217, in 2000 it was 2,157 and in 2010 the population total was 1,964. This caused a decrease in revenue that we receive from various government agencies. What happened?

I don’t believe that our population dropped, I believe that we as citizens and village residents did not do what we were supposed to do, complete the census information so that we would be properly counted.

Why am I writing this article today? I want us to be mindful of how a decrease in revenue af-

fects our community. This makes it difficult to employ more police officers, fire fighters and village public workers who maintain the

upkeep of our community. After school activities and many other projects have to be cut back because our funding is cut due to the drop in our population. Every part of revenue that we receive is based on a percentage as a whole. This affects everything that we do. The year 2020 may seem a long way off, but eight years is just around the corner. I hope that we will see a great increase in our village. The time is now to educate your family and friends on the importance of participating in the Census.

Thank you, Melba Ferrell

Lending a helping hand!

Scott Cohen’s 4th-Year Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary to Jerome & Melba N. Ferrell!

August 20, 2012 24

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

Scott Cohen (center) pictured with (L-R) Village Clerk Johnnie Lane, Trustee Ernestine Proctor-Harris, Trustee Martina Lane-Mahaffey and Mayor Terry Wells.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 25

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PHOENIX //// 2012-2013 Village of Phoenix Leaders The Phoenix Rising of the Future Basketball Team!

Newspaper wants your input!

If you would like to include information like birthdays, new births, new residents, weddings etc. or have another idea for the paper, we want to know.

Contact us at: (708) 331-1455 or (708) 331-2641 Pictured is Coach Larry Lashley, Village Trustees, Melvin Kimbrough and Ernestine ProctorHarris with the Leaders of the Future Basketball Team.

The team had its Awards Banquet on Monday, July 30, 2012. The guest speaker was Senator Elect, Napoleon Harris.

Village of Phoenix gives recognition to Mr. Mario Moody and the Coolidge Middle school Bands

26

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

Phoenix Facts! //

? ? ? Did You Know? 444

4In 1962, a part of Phoenix deannexed to become a part of Harvey.

This is the only documented case in history in the State of Illinois of a section of a community deannexing into a neighboring community.

from Thornridge High School is regarded as the greatest team in Illinois history. The team usually relied on six players, five of them from Phoenix.

4 The city’s first sewer and streets were built in 1925.

4The USA Today rated the 1972 Thornridge team as number 5 on its

4A Phoenix mayor placed himself in jail because he refused a judge’s order to raise the city’s taxes to pay for the increased price of streets and sewers. He claimed that he made a promise to the citizens that he would not raise taxes. That was Mayor Smudzinski in 1927.

4Kevin Duckworth played 12 years in the NBA which includ-

4 The first families to live in Phoenix were Dutch, Irish, Polish and

German ancestry.

ed two all star games and playing in the NBA finals with Portland against the Chicago Bulls. He was a graduate of Thornridge High School.

4Quinn Buckner played for 12 years in the

NBA. He won a title with the Boston Celtics in 1984 and later coached the Dallas Mavericks.

He also played with the Milwaukee Bucks.

4 Melvin Van Peebles, famous actor and film

director of the movie “Sweetback” grew up in Phoenix. He is the father of actor and director Mario Van Peebles.

4 In the 1950s, Phoenix had a policeman who

could not read or write if he stopped you for a traffic violation, he would make you write out your own ticket.

list of greatest high school teams of all time. The Falcons are rated ahead of teams led by Wilt Chamberlin and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

Melvin Van Peebles

4Phoenix is the only town to have three high school players named as the Sun Times High School player of the year. Lloyd Batts was honored in 1970 while playing for Thornton. In 1972, Quinn Buckner won the award as he led Thornridge High School to a state championship. Kim McQuarter won the honor in 1984 as she led Marshall High School to a state championship.

4 Johnnie Lane has served longer as a village official than any other person in the history of the Village of Phoenix.

4Coolidge Jr. High won the boys state championship in basketball

4Jessica Buckner was the first African American Principal of

4The Coolidge girls won the state title in basketball in 1991 and 1992.

Coolidge School. She was later selected as the first Black Superintendent of School District 151.

in 1983 and 1984.

4John Henry Styles was the first black police officer in Phoenix.

4Phoenix once had a semi-pro baseball team. The team was called the Tigers and they played on the field that was the west side of Halsted and 153rd Street.

4In 1900, Battling Nelson, who later became the lightweight champion of the world, fought his first four bouts in McLatchy’s Bar at 155th and Halsted in Phoenix. Nelson held the championship from 1904-1907. He eventually was defeated by the first Black champion of the world, Joe Gaines in 1907.

4The 1972 state basketball team

Coolidge Tigers. Girls 1992 Championship Basketball Team.

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 27

Phoenix celebrates the

40th Anniversary

of The Thornridge High School Basketball Champs!

HOW GOOD WERE THE FALCONS? • The team averaged 88 points per game • Finished the season 33-0 • The 1972 state championship team from Thornridge is generally regarded as the greatest team in Illinois High School Basketball history.

• Quinn Buckner was named National Player of the Year.

• In the championship game against Quincy, Thornridge won by a final score of 104-69.

It is the only time in history that a team has scored more than 100 points in a final game.

• In that game, Boyd Batts scored 25 points in the first half, Quincy only had 26.

• In 1972, no team came within 14 points of Thornridge. The team that came closest was district rival Thornton, which had as its star players, two residents from Phoenix.

• The USA Today rated the 1972 team as the fourth best team in high school history. The Falcons are rated ahead of teams led by Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and even Derrick Rose.

• In 1972 there was no 3 point shot, just imagine Boyd Batts shooting three pointers, how many points would the team have scored?

• In 1972 teams could not dunk the basketball, imagine Greg Rose with a 40 inch vertical dunking the ball against the opposition.

• The team usually relied on six players, five of them from Phoenix.

• “The Thornridge full court press was so devastating that even the guys without the ball had difficulty getting past the half court line.” -Wes Mason, Coach - Bloom High School

28

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

When Tigers Became Falcons The story of the Coolidge class of 1967 becoming the Thornridge Championship class of 1971

By James “Flash” Lashley PART 1 The Football Champions It was 45 years ago when 106 students left the friendly confines of Coolidge School and embarked on a journey that would go down in history. Little did these students know what awaited them. The Thornridge Falcons, who were they? All these students knew was that they were “supposed” to be headed to “Wildcat” country! That is Thornton Township High School Wildcats.

Well, sometime during the course of the school year of 1967, or even before then, it was decided that this would be the class that would integrate Thornridge High School and become the first black students to attend. Wow, this came as a complete shock, but we were up for the task. It was not easy.

However, our teachers did a tremendous job preparing us mentally, emotionally, as well as academically to compete in any classroom at any school.

Kudos to Mrs. Buckner, Mrs. Piernas, Mrs. Madgett, Mr. Dennison, Mrs. Long, Mr. Davis, Mrs. Feltus, school secretary Mrs. Farmer, our principal Mr.Billups and all the other staff members. Thank you all for the encouragement, the tireless efforts you instilled in us, making the Class of 1967, the “Best.” We won’t ever forget you!

This class would go on to take Thornridge by storm. By the time we were seniors, we were confident, and convinced that Champions, we were going to be! The football team led by “Big” Arthur Riley, Tyrone Lawrence, Michael “Buzz” Payne, Edgar Snoddy, a sensational junior Quinn “Q” Buckner, Jimmy Davis, and James “Flash” Lashley. Failure was not an option. We were willing to do whatever necessary to succeed!

This group was destined and determined to win. This team would go on to have an undefeated season, and bring Thornridge High School their first “Mythical” State Championship. It was called mythical, because back then there were no playoffs. The state championship was awarded to the team with the best record and statistics. That team posted a 9-0 record, with 3 shutouts; averaged 32pts on offense, while only allowing opponents an average of 4.0 points!

PART 2: The Basketball Champions The football team “kicked off ” one of the greatest athletic experiences that would go down in high school history. Now it was

time for some “hoops.” What you must understand, being from the Village of Phoenix, and being a Coolidge Tiger, losing was just not an option! The fact of the matter is we REALLY never learned how to lose, because we hardly ever did! At Coolidge, our baseball team only lost one game (5-4), and our basketball team was undefeated. Now I don’t know if we as players put pressure on ourselves, or if the teachers had us afraid “to lose,” either way winning was what they did!

The competition from within was fierce.

Practices were very competitive to say the least. Led by Michael “Duck” Henry, James “Puke” Loggins, and Capt. Tony “Grubbs” Jackson, the Falcons were set to take on all comers. Be the best, #1, you bet. (There were some other ex-tigers that made this team successful; “Q” Buckner, Boyd Batts, and super sophomore in the person of Greg Rose). This team was focused, especially after a defeat in the Christmas holiday tournament to Mounds Meridian. These guys got together and decided the buck stops here. They were determined to do whatever necessary to ensure victory….Period! This team would go on to run the table in the regular, and post season tournament. For the first time in history, the Thornridge Falcons were headed downstate. The air on the Thornridge bus was absolutely electric. Parents, students, everyone was excited. For the first time we as athletes felt “acceptance.”

It was just 4 years earlier that this group of students walked into Thornridge as the first Black students. Now 4 years later the Thornridge Falcons were playing for an Illinois State Basketball Championship!! To God be the glory!

All the tournament games were relatively close some even ‘nail biters.’ When all was said and done, the Thornridge Falcons led by some Coolidge Tigers captured their first state basketball championship!! Little did people know this was not the end; it was only the beginning. The ‘Best Team’ was yet to come.

PART 3: The Recognition There were a lot of firsts with THIS class; I’d like to recognize them at this time: A) Lenita Griffis; National Honor Society B) Kathy Calhoun; National Honor Society; Voted ‘Outstanding’ Senior C) Sheila Moore; Cheerleader; Homecoming Court; Voted ‘Outstanding’ Senior D) Rowena ‘Princess’ Henry Henry; Gymnastics; Cheerleader E) James ‘Puke’ Loggins; Voted Senior Class President; Homecoming Court F) Anthony ‘Grubbs’ Jackson; Captain State Champion Basketball G) Jimmy Davis; 5th place State Wrestling @ 112lbs.

H) Arthur Riley; All State Football; State champion in the shot and disc.; Voted ‘Outstanding’ Senior I) Tyrone Lawrence; All Conference Football J) Alexander Lawrence; Swimming K) Tyrone Smith; President, Boys Club L) Michael ‘Buzz’ Payne; All Conference Football M) James ‘Flash’ Lashley; Co-captain Track; Homecoming Court; Voted ‘Outstanding’ Senior; Student Council Special Advisor It has been 45 years since we left Tiger country & started our journey as Falcons.

Times have surely changed, we’ve lost some along the way; but through it all we survived and we’re STILL soaring! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Our hearts and prayers are continually with the families of our classmates, that are no longer with us; Sheila Moore, Rowena ‘Princess’ Henry, Michael ‘Buzz’ Payne, Anthony ‘Grubbs’ Jackson, ‘Big’ Arthur Riley, William ‘Whistle’ Lewis, and Otelius ‘TBone’ Gatlin.

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 29

~ Memory Lane ~

30

PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

DO YOU RECOGNIZE ANYONE IN THIS PHOTO?

~ Memory Lane ~

DO YOU RECOGNIZE ANYONE IN THIS PHOTO?

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 31

~ MEMORY LANE ~ DO YOU RECOGNIZE ANYONE IN THESE PHOTOS?

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PHOENIX RISING | 2012-2013

SCHOOL NEWS 2012 TAFT SCHOOL

393 East 163rd Street • Harvey, IL. 60426 • Anthony Palomo, Principal

2011 Phoenix Family Reading Contest winners

1st Place

Madison Beard-Baker

2nd Place

Sinae Celmer

3rd Place

Nathalie Galvan

Pre K Kornaelius Minder Kadarius Minder Vanessa Ruiz Michael Byrd Brook Ford Layla Glass Fernando Zuniga Lovette Barjebo

Isabel Cyrnek Lauren Reynolds ReJae Gueringer Jeremiah Sutherland Alex Jackson Naomi Zuniga Justin Pleitez Oscar Cruz Cynthia Espinoza Victor Leon Cassandra Fernandez-Ortiz Larnell Palmer Dyamend Archibald Alexo Rasgado

Alexandra Barajas Marcos Nazario Rykia Fredrick Katelyn Gluth Andrea Huerta Andrea Ramirez Elijah Price

Vanessa Angulo Rihanna Cole Anthony Cortes Jalen Gresham Jazmyn Robertson Giada Vergara Samuel Villalobos Nathalia Zambrano Ixchel Alvarez Alonso Sepulveda

DaNateja Archibald Adolfo Cervantes Alexander Lopez Ezequiel Perez Caleb Steele Angela Ceron Jordon Cox Kelsey Engel Diamond foster

Joshua Zuniga Daniel Banks Jamir Brown Melissa Zuniga Yolonda Hoskins Demya Jackson Ajayne Long Jennifer Mejia Jasmine Reynolds

Abraham Sookdeosingh Ana Zambrano Jose Barajas Miguel Cano Alondra Diaz Michelle Esquivel Andrew Mack Leslie Leon Daniel Morales Eric Rossetti Juliana Salazar Christopher Vergara Jadyn Amos Da’Ja Edmondson

Cayla Robinson Tavian Travis Jasmine Chavez James Crump Kameara Kurns DaZaia Naudain John Sepulveda Aldo Solorio Damiya Terry Najaa Terry Amber Brooks Richard Fredrick Jacob Gluth Cory Lesser

Nia Moore Stephanie Nosike Jada Rucker Princess Alexander David Arambula Shayatta Foster Miguel Galvan John Gore Raziyah Karim Jayla Lesser Uleses Reyes Jor’ Dan Smith Azariya Hill

Kindergarten Randy Ackerman Kenya Clark Tai Crump Abigail Diaz Eligha Hammond Scott Jackson Bailey Palmer Shawn Phillips Lestee Roddy Harlem Adams

1st Grade Diego Alvarado Isaiah Hoofe Brianna McCorkle DaZhire Naudain Brooklyn Rimes Aniyah Stephens Taylor Stevenson Bria Williams Lorenzo Wilson Cedrick Adams Novial Adams Destiny Dillard Elise Jones Kamila Sandoval

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING 33

SCHOOL NEWS 2012 EISENHOWER SCHOOL

16001 S. Minerva • South Holland, IL. 60473 • Dr. Ronda Towner, Principal SECOND GRADE Honor Roll Aguirre, Miguel Albaran, Francisco Alvardo, Nicolas Arroyo, Vincente Barjebo, Sue Bartholomew, Arrianna Bejarano, Nayilea Bobo, Barbraje Brown, Naomi Brown, Simone Burgess, Sinygha Burks, Bruce Burns, Ajani Byrd, Darren Caldwell, Myracle Cervantes, Jael Coffey, Dakota Cremer, Jeffrey Davila, Jovanni

Davis, Andjule Ewing, Kiyla Ford, Landon Gary, Niona Giron, Alan Harbaugh, Katia Hernandez, Aleza Hill, Lauren Ifebueme, Ryan James, Kenneth Jordan, Jayden Mansfield, Kamiko Mejia, Yair Miles, Justice Osunde, Ukienebo Phillips, Kyla Pleitez, Katerin Prado, Franco Rasgado, Valeria Sanders, Mikayla Sims, Lyric

Taylor, Kristin Turner, Kendrick Vega, Branda Whitaker, Reese Wiley, Trinity THIRD GRADE Honor Roll Baker, Dashawn Bass, DaShaun Blanco, Daniel Bolling, Alexander Booth, Mia Botley, Darius Boyd, Carol Bryant, Patrick Byrd, Julius Cole, Dylan Cole, Kennedi Cowyin, Aronae Craig, Jadyn

Craig, Jessica Diaz, Emily Diaz, Kimberly Footman-Stove, Dyamond Gomez, Jasmine Harvey, Lauryn Herrera, Lesli Kuyoro, Benjamin Liese, Robert Louissaint, Matthew Martinez, Ramon McKinney, James Mendoza, Alexia Miller, Aamiyah Navarro, Lizbeth Nosike, Christine Obichere, Kahari Oduwole, Ayomide Ojeda, Joshua Peralez, Destiny Phifer, AiYanna

Purry, Jhene Quiroz, Adriana Ramirez, Kassandra Ramos, Alex Reyes, Emireth Richardson, Jonathan Robertson, Jayla Rockett, Brian Rodgers, Lundyn Rodriguez, Fernanda Sefah, Lalia Sepulveda, Julissa Slater, Yasmine Stapleton, Matthew Stevenson, Chase Very, Giovanni Wilson, Darius Young-Perry, Christina Zambrano, Joshlyn

MADISON SCHOOL

15700 Orchjod Drive • South Holland, IL 60473 •Mrs. Regina Davis-Bridges, Ed,D, Principal FOURTH GRADE A’s Only Honor Roll Gross-Roberts, Alani Plascenia, Lizeth Sandoval, Alma Villegas, Kevin Williams, Derrick Zambrano, Carla FOURTH GRADE A/B Only Honor Roll Ali, Jade Allen, Jasmine Botley, Marsalis Bridgemon, Jayla Brown, Aniyah Catron, Milton Daniels, Jalen Edwards, Reginald Estrada, Marianna Fagan, Kai Fisher, Jeremiah Foster, David Gills, Curtis

34

Kidd, Niya Knox, Diamond Kurns, Kasyus Landingham, Eric Lopez, Ana Ma-Nwokenkwo, Markow Oduwole, Temidayo Ogletree, Michaela Perkins, Courtney Rasgado, Carlos Reed, Donte Ruiz, Diego Solorio, Armando Stapleton, Maurice Stevenson, Karley Torres, Andrea Unger, Demaya Vasquez, Alejandra Walker, Kirsten Williams, Angelique Williams, Kenneth Young, Amir Zambrano, Fabiola

PHOENIX RISING | AUGUST 2011

FOURTH GRADE SUPER CITIZENS Ana Cortez Jeremiah Fisher Marilyn Mata Andrea Torres Alejandra Vaszuez Carla Zambrano FIFTH GRADE A’s Only Honor Roll Byrd, Jason Coupet, Franese Gonzalez, Stephanie Neri, Julio Nugin, Alyssia Perez, Jesus FIFTH GRADE A/B Only Honor Roll Agwomoh, Marvin Angulo, Jose Boyd, Samantha Cholico, Daisy

Cortez, Elvia Cruz, Abraham De La Torre, Oscar Diaz, Fatima Ell, Eddie Faniyi, Sheriff Footman, Daniellah Gilbert, Lindola Gordon, Courtney Gray, Brian Harris, Malik Hernandez, Rubi Holman, A’Jah Hoskins, Ronald Ihejrika, Stedmon Johnson, Paul Jones, Nicholas Logan, Da’Quway Macias, Julie Martin, Diondrea Martinez, Gerardo McMiller, John Mercado, Gabriel Monterroso, Eddie

Moore, Caitlin Moore, Taheed Murillo, Joanna Nazario, Edgar Rangel, Lizbeth Rodriguez, Alexandra Rush, Michael Salazar, Gabriela Thornton, Jamila Nwokenkwo, Emmanuella Williams, Khaliyah Williams, Kyema Zaragonza, Lisette FIFTH GRADE SUPER CITIZENS Jordan Boyd, Malik Harris, Nayeli Munoz, Edgar Nazario, Julio Neri

SCHOOL NEWS 2012 THORNTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL 15001 Broadway • Harvey, IL. 60426 • Principal, Tony Ratliff SECOND QUARTER

FIRST QUARTER Bartholomew, Aaron Brown-Hooker, Katrina Bryant, Deshawn Cook, Tyteanna Davenport, Nicholas Epps, Desiree Hammett, Raven Hill, Ricky Hill, Wanya Huff, Devin Ikner, Mikal Johnson, Lashuan King, Sasha Mahaffey, DeAnna Mahaffey, Destiny Majors, Malcolm McHerron, Antaun Montgomery, Justin Ozoude, Dorian Parr, Karlos Rosas, Diana Watkins, Paul Watkins, Taylor Wheatley, Diamond Wheatley, Ryan Anthony Williams, Marrion

Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll High Honor Roll

THIRD QUARTER Alexander, Ariel L Allen, Bridgette Barbee, Tyler Davenport, Nicholas Hammett, Raven N Huff, Devin Ikner, Mikal V Johnson, Lashuan Mahaffey, DeAnna Mahaffey, Destiny McHerron, Antaun D Ozoude, Dorian Salazar, Johnathan States, Tyolis C Watkins, Taylor Wheatley, Diamond Wheatley, Ryan Anthony

Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll

EAllen, Bridgette Barbee, Shawn Brown-Hooker, Katrina Davenport, Nicholas Epps, Desiree Hammett, Raven Hill, Wanya Huff, Devin Ikner, Mikal Johnson, Lashuan Mahaffey, DeAnna Mahaffey, Destiny Majors, Malcolm McHerron, Antaun Ozoude, Dorian Rosas, Diana Watkins, Paul Watkins, Taylor Wheatley, Diamond Wheatley, Ryan Anthony Williams, Marrion

High Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll High Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll

FOURTH QUARTER Epps, Desiree Ikner, Mikal V Johnson, Lashuan Mahaffey, Destiny McHerron, Antaun D Ozoude, Dorian Ragland, Janine Barbee, Tyler Davenport, Nicholas Huff, Devin Mahaffey, DeAnna Majors, Malcolm McByrd, Dasia Watkins, Taylor Wheatley, Diamond Wheatley, Ryan Anthony Barbosa, Diego Bartholomew, Aaron Clark, Benjamin Drummer, Jasmine Hammett, Raven N Parr, Karlos D Watkins, Paul Williams, Marrion

4.0000 4.0000 4.0000 4.0000 4.0000 4.0000 4.5000 3.6667 3.7143 3.7143 3.8333 3.5714 3.5714 3.5000 3.5714 3.5714 3.2000 3.2000 3.0000 3.2000 3.0000 3.0000 3.2000 3.3333

Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar Distinguished Scholar High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll High Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll Honor Roll

2012-2013 | PHOENIX RISING

35

MAYOR TERRY WELLS & THE VILLAGE OF PHOENIX CONGRATULATES OUR

COLLEGE GRADUATES! Aisha Burton

Aisha Burton is a graduate of the University of Illinois’ Honors College. She graduated with Honors in May, 2012 and was selected as a PREP Scholar for the University of Missouri’s Post-Baccalaureate Program in Research. Aisha plans to eventually work toward her Ph.D. in Cancer Research and is looking forward to attending the University of Missouri.

Aisha credits her fine schooling from District 151 and District 205 with preparing her for a career in science and research.

Brandon Herring

Brandon graduated this year with a degree from the University of Illinois. In his senior year at Thornton H.S., Brandon was selected as a National Scholar for the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Scholars. We congratulate Brandon on his Academic Excellence and Achievements!

Nathan Majors

Nathan R. Majors, a graduate of Thornton H.S., graduated 7th in his class from the University of Illinois, Urbana with a degree in Communications. He is the second oldest child in the Majors family and has always been a mentor for his siblings. He is employed with J.P. Morgan Chase in the call center in Elgin, Illinois.

Brittany Brooks

Brittany Brooks graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Sociology. She is currently employed with Thornton Township H.S. and she is attending Governors State University working on her Master’s degree.

Tamika Jackson

Tamika Jackson is a Graduate of ITT Tech with an ADN Degree in Nursing. She is currently employed at Ingalls Memorial Hospital. CONGRATS TAMIKA!

Kudos to Coolidge Middle School Honor Roll Fourth Quarter Honor Roll Sixth Grade Boyd, Leah Moore, Marcel Muhammad, Rashad

Seventh Grade Askew, Deja Griffin, Destiny Johnson, Triana Muhammed, Hassan Wardell, Zion Watkins, Temple

Eighth Grade Ezell, Cheyenne