U-46 Special Olympians vie for gold, hope to make state level
Two Elgin Area School District U-46 Special Olympics teams received gold medals last weekend in the Young Adult Special Olympics regional basketball tournament at Bartlett High School.
Some of the program's younger players aim to follow in their footsteps at the Junior Division Regional Championships, to be held this Saturday at the Vaughn Athletic Center in Aurora.
More than a dozen teams of elementary- and middle-school students will be vying for gold medals, said Melissa Pedrigi, U-46 Special Olympics program coordinator. Gold medal winners qualify for the state Special Olympics, slated for March 15 and 16 at Illinois State University.
Last year, one team from the junior division advanced to state.
"At the high school level, this is our first time," Pedrigi said.
About 160 U-46 students participate in the Special Olympics program, which the district has offered since 2001.
"We started with just eight athletes," she said.
The athletes practice about an hour every week, starting in the fall.
Along with basketball, students train for soccer, track and field, bowling and motor competitions, Pedrigi said.
"It is such an inspiring experience for athletes and coaches," she said.
This week's tournament begins at 8:45 a.m. and concludes at noon. U-46's teams have games at 9 and 11 a.m., she said.
A prom for true seniors: South Elgin High School's National Honor Society will sponsor a "senior prom" at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Victory Centre, 1101 W. Bartlett Road in Bartlett. The cost is free, and refreshments will be served.
All area senior citizens are invited.
Judson professor to play: Four Korean women who are pianist-professors from the Chicago area, including Professor Sojung Hong from Judson University, will perform arrangements of the "William Tell Overture," "Fantasy from Carmen" and other popular works at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the North Shore Performing Arts Center, 9501 Skokie Blvd., in Skokie.
Regular tickets are $20 to $50; for Judson staff and students, specially priced tickets are available at $5. Call the music office, (847) 628-1110 for more information.
"Peter Pan" at Larkin: Students from the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Larkin High School are preparing for their annual "Bring a Book to Life" production. This year's dancing adaptation of "Peter Pan" features a cast of 45 students, three of whom literally fly across the stage!
Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 8 and 3 and 7 p.m. Feb. 9. Tickets are $8 for adults, and $5 for students and seniors.