Winners all around in Arlington event for scholarship fund

A pair of third-graders from Arlington Heights made their broadcasting debuts Sunday, at an event designed to raise money for scholarships.

Danny Nix and Joey DeFilippo, both 8 years old, moved from taking their chances in a football squares pool drawn up during the first half, to doing play-by-play announcing during the third quarter of the Bears game.

They took the microphone after Brian Nix, Danny's dad, won the gig during a live auction held during halftime.

It was all part of a festive tailgate party, hosted by members of the Arlington Heights Dollars for Scholars program, held at Trackside in Arlington Heights.

Organizers had timed the event on an afternoon when the Bears, Cubs and the White Sox were playing. However, Sunday's severe weather wound up postponing the two baseball games.

Instead, the 100 guests concentrated on the Bears game, displayed on several jumbo-sized plasma TV sets around the banquet room.

"It made for a real tailgate atmosphere, which is just what he had hoped for," says Tom Kivlahan, who helped organize the event with chairperson, Lori Lyon, and chapter president, Andy Bennett, all of Arlington Heights.

Guests got into their own contests, out on the porch of the venue. A baggo tournament drew lots of takers, who tried their hand at the popular beanbag game.

Once again, it was the two young friends, Danny and Joey, who won the junior division, while Bob Fredian and Jack White combined to win the adult division, all of Arlington Heights.

The tailgate fundraiser was the latest in a series of innovative benefits for the Arlington Heights chapter of Scholarship America. In the past, members have drawn guests to interactive theater performances at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights.

"This time we were looking for something more family-friendly," Kivlahan adds. "It went so well, we're thinking of organizing a similar event in the spring, timed around the NCAA (basketball) tournament."

Sunday's tailgater served to raise approximately $9,000, organizers said. Last year, the chapter awarded $16,000 in need-based scholarships, and they have been able to increase their awards every year.