Top-level gymnast Aleah Radovich (center) smiles with her mother, Danielle, and father, Dan, moments after she signed her letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she will wear the black and gold and compete for the Titans. --Supplied photo
Aleah Radojevich headed north on a gymnastics scholarship
By Joan Hadac
Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge
(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com
Hi everyone. I’d like to share a lovely email with you I received from Garfield Ridge resident Danielle Radojevich, a 23-year employee of the Chicago Park District, sharing the accomplishments of her daughter, Aleah.
Danielle told me that Aleah, whose dad is Dan Radojevich (a city worker) and older sister is Jenell, has committed to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for gymnastics. She’ll be majoring in elementary education and begining in fall 2022.
Children have been a big part of Aleah’s life and she always wanted to work with them. Danielle told me Aleah loved helping her with the classes she taught for the park district. Aleah is now teaching gymnastics classes at Flying High. She is also participating in a teaching program at St. Laurence High School, going to schools and working directly with elementary school-age children. Aleah decided in her junior year that she wanted to study elementary education in college.
Deciding on what college to attend is a major life decision, but Aleah knew in December that UWO was a perfect fit for her. She had attended many college campuses, Danielle said, but felt a great connection to UWO and the gymnastics coach During summer 2021, the college gymnastics coach offered Aleah a spot on the team. In December she gave a verbal commitment and signed her intent to compete for UWO gymnastics on March 15.
Aleah, who has been in gymnastics all her life, has competed on a team for Flying High Gymnastics Center for over 10 years. Her favorite event is the floor program. Flying High hosted a signing party for Aleah, her teammates and family.
Living her whole life in Garfield Ridge, Aleah attended Valley Forge Park for preschool. She attended St. Daniel the Prophet School for kindergarten through eighth grade. After graduating from St. Dan’s in 2018, Aleah went on to St. Laurence, where she will graduate on May 22. She was part of the first girls’ class to start the coed transition.
Congratulations, Aleah, on your accomplishments. Thanks again, Danielle, for sharing this wonderful news.
Mark your calendar
- Easter is right around the corner, and the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch is making sure kids have a chance to visit with the Easter Bunny and receive prizes.
He will visit twice on Saturday, April 16. He is scheduled to arrive in a fire truck at approximately 2 p.m. at Bank of America, 6331 S. Archer. He will sit in the truck and talk to the kids until about 2:45 p.m. The Easter Bunny will then head over to the parking lot of St. Symphorosa Church, 62nd and Austin, in his fire truck. He should be arriving at approximately 3 p.m. and staying until 3:45 p.m. Thanks to GRNW board member Kathy Shickle.
- The GRNW’s Sell-A-Bration will be held starting a 8 a.m. Saturday, May 14 in the Kennedy High School west parking lot, near 56th and Narragansett. The time to reserve your spot is now. Spots are $20 each. You bring your own table and chairs and an awning if you need that. Arlene is once again heading the event and you can call her at (773) 229-1993 to reserve a space or two. She was excited to announce that for the first time in three years, the concession stand will be open and great food will be available.
As GRNW President Al Cacciotolo recently emphasized, this is a big fundraiser for the GRNW, and they use the proceeds to buy supplies for graffiti removal and produce their Christmas event.
- Mary Ellen Brown, president of the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce, has announced that graduation banners are now available for purchase through garfieldridgecc.com. The cost is $125 per banner and a red, white or blue background can be chosen. She asks that whoever orders, please double check spelling, because that is what is put on the banner. Like in years past, the banners will be up all summer and when they are removed, the purchasers can have them for a souvenir.
- Memorial bricks are also available through the chamber’s website. You can purchase them through September. The bricks will be installed in the Veterans Triangle and a ceremony will be held on Veteran’s Day. For more information, visit the chamber’s Facebook page. It’s the easiest way to get in touch with them.
- Thirteenth Ward Ald. Marty Quinn’s office will be hosting an electronics recycling day Saturday, March 26 and a paper shredding event Saturday, April 9. More details can be found out by calling the ward office at (773) 581-1313.
So, there’s a lot going on in the community. It will be great to get out in the spring sunshine and breath in the fresh air. Enjoy your week.
Local News
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match…
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
Swanson scores, assists in Red Stars’ win over Reign
Spread the loveThe Red Stars improved to 3-1-1 by beating the Seattle Reign, 2-1, on the road on April 21. Mallory Swanson had an assist on an Ali Schlegel goal in the fourth minute and added a goal of her own in the 31st minute. Swanson missed last season after sustaining a knee injury on…
Red Stars’ Tatumn Milazzo has top Save of the Week
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Tatumn Milazzo called her achievement “funny.” The Chicago Red Stars defender and Orland Park native was awarded the NWSL’s Save of the Week after chasing down a ball in a loss to Angel City on April 13. The Save of the Week usually goes to a goalie. Milazzo laughed…
Men’s College Volleyball | Saint Xavier captures fifth straight conference tourney title
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The SXU men’s volleyball team won its fifth straight Chicagoland Christian Athletic Conference tournament championship after a 25-16, 25-17, 25-22 sweep of Calumet College of St. Joseph on April 20 at the Shannon Center. Jan Lopuch had 10 kills and nine digs for the Cougars. With the win, the…
College Baseball | Saint Xavier upsets Eastern Illinois
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier baseball team picked up a win that its players are going to remember for a long time. The Cougars stunned Eastern Illinois, 4-2, on April 17 in Charleston. It was the Cougars’ first win over the Panthers, a Division I program, since 2005. Lyons grad Troy…
Neighbors
Immigrant advocates tout new report showing benefits of state-funded health plans
By PETER HANCOCK and JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Immigrant rights advocates on Friday continued to push for one of their top budget priorities: full funding for state-run health care programs that benefit noncitizens, regardless of their immigration status. Those programs offer health coverage for low-income individuals who would otherwise qualify for…
As state continues to inventory lead pipes, full replacement deadlines are decades away
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com Lead pipes in public water systems and drinking fixtures have been banned in new construction since 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, but they are still in use across the U.S. and in Illinois. The presence of lead pipes has persisted due in part to…
Capitol Briefs: State unveils report on racial disparities among homeless populations
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Tackling homelessness requires addressing racial injustice, according to a new report commissioned by the state’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. The report found that Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Remedying this disparity, according to the report, would require “long-term…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
Bears pitch $3.2B stadium plan, but Pritzker still ‘skeptical’ despite team’s $2B pledge
By DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Chicago Bears laid out a $3.2 billion plan for a new domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront on Wednesday afternoon, painting pictures of future Super Bowls and other major public events while pinning their hopes on yet-to-be-had conversations with the governor and lawmakers. The Bears…
Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Natural gas is fueling a fight between consumer advocates, a powerful utility company and the state. Amid competing advertising campaigns, accusations of mismanagement and state decarbonization efforts, the Illinois Commerce Commission is starting a process that will shape how the state regulates the increasingly controversial industry. …
Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois’
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A mining truck manufactured by Komatsu was crowned the winner of the 2024 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of “the coolest thing made in Illinois” at the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday. The truck was one of more than 200 entries in the 5th annual contest hosted…
Giannoulias calls for disclosure of lobbyist contracts
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – For decades, lobbyists in the Illinois Statehouse have been required to report how much they spend wining, dining and entertaining lawmakers. Currently, though, there is no law requiring lobbyists to disclose how much they are paid by corporations, industry groups or other special interest organizations. That…
Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s biometric privacy law after business groups split
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data. On Thursday, a bipartisan majority in the Illinois Senate did just that,…
Illinoisans can now get documents notarized online
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office. This process is one of the latest initiatives of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ ongoing effort to modernize the office and its services. Notaries…