Lake Park sisters now musical 'rivals'

Molly and Megan Collins from Roselle both attended Lake Park High School, where they were in one of the premier marching bands in Illinois, the Lake Park Marching Band. After four years of high school band, Molly is a junior attending Northwestern University and is a flutist for the Northwestern University Marching Band. Megan is a freshman trumpet for the Marching Illini. The sisters will face each other at Wrigley Field on Nov. 20.

Their influence of music started early with their grandmother teaching them the piano. Later, Mr. Cash of Spring Hills School reinforced the commitment to their respective music potential. Molly was a section leader and Megan was a drum major for Lake Park.

Not in our wildest dreams did we think they would be accepted at Big 10 schools who happen to be rivals. Playing for the Land of Lincoln Trophy, the irony of this rivalry runs deep. Their grandfather attended U of I at Navy Pier in the late 1940s while his sister attended Northwestern. They would have a dollar bet each year for the winner of their annual game. The matter was settled at the dinner table each Thanksgiving, with plenty of jabs and chuckles between them.

It is an honor and a privilege to have been blessed with the M&M girls continuing this rivalry. The perplexity of who to root for in this matter has been determined by Mom wearing purple and white and I'll be in orange and blue to keep the peace.

I hope this rivalry teaches us all a lesson in life. No matter who wins the game at Wrigley Field, by Thanksgiving we can be gracious and civil. When we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, I will end up paying the dollar so we can all give thanks.

Larry Collins

Roselle