Woodlands Academy hosts inner-city students for Black History Month event

Nearly 100 fourth- through eighth-grade students from St. Malachy School in Chicago visited Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest on Friday for a day of events including a Gospel liturgy, pizza lunch, talent show and a carnival.

This celebration marked the latest chapter in a Black History Month tradition between the inner-city grade school and the North Shore all-girls college prep high school dating back to 1996.

As she opened the liturgy, which featured music from the joyful voices of students in the St. Malachy Gospel Choir, Woodlands Academy senior Isabel Enad of Lake Bluff praised the strong bond between the schools that makes it possible for their students to share so many experiences and learn so much from each other.

"Let us pray that we, the students of St. Malachy and Woodlands Academy, bound together in our lively friendship, are able to help other people find ways to develop similar friendships," Enad said.

The service concluded with students, faculty and staff from both schools joining in singing "We Shall Overcome."

St. Malachy students then enjoyed a pizza lunch organized by Woodlands Academy's international students. Other highlights included a talent show with students from both schools performing and a carnival featuring a variety of activities.