News Briefs: 8 Highland Park restaurants recognized for 20+ years; NSCD enjoys winter tradition; Regina senior earns coveted scholarship

Eight Highland Park restaurants with at least 20 years of in business each were honored on Dec. 11 for their work in the community.

The ceremony held during the City Council meeting was led by the Downtown Highland Park Property Owners Association, which developed the Len Cobey Awards in 2009.

The honorees were: BBQ Pit, Country Kitchen, Norton’s, Sushi Badaya, Sushi Kushi Too, Tamales, Walker Brothers and Yummy Bowl.

“These restaurants received this honor for their dedication, perseverance, and service. Not only are they a staple in Highland Park Downtown, but a gathering place for the community. Congratulations and a show of appreciation for your hard work,” said a message from the association.

NSCD lifers lead Winter Celebration

Before heading off for winter break, North Shore Country Day lifers — current seniors who have attended the school since junior or senior kindergarten — led the school’s Winter Celebration. According to a release from the Winnetka school, although it has gone by several names through the years, the Winter Celebration is one of the Winnetka school’s oldest traditions, dating back to 1919.

This year’s program began with a sing-along of “Frosty the Snowman,” led by music teachers Timothy Mah and Molly Phelan. Then the lifers — Aram Dombalagian of Glenview (Mrs. Claus); siblings Geoff, Mariel and Smith Flickinger, of Winnetka (Snowman, Elf and Gingerbread Man, respectively); Carissa Schultz, of Lake Forest (Elf); Leif Steele, of Evanston (Santa Claus); Bo Stevenson, of Winnetka (Grinch); and Tessa Adamson-Tate, of Skokie — led all the traditional dances, highlighting Jewish, German, Mexican, South African and Irish traditions, the release says.

The faculty and staff joined in the fun with a choreographed dance to Meghan Trainor’s “Holidays,” and after the final few dances, the program closed with the traditional alumni, faculty and staff sing-along of “Winter Wonderland.”

Regina Dominican senior awarded QuestBridge Scholarship

Regina Dominican High School is proud to announce that senior Cece Morris is a recipient of the QuestBridge Match Scholarship and has been matched at the University of Chicago. 

Recipients are admitted early to QuestBridge college partners with full four-year scholarships provided by the colleges and universities, ensuring for these students and their families that an education at a top college is affordable.

QuestBridge’s partners include top colleges and universities such as Brown, Claremont McKenna, Columbia, MIT, Northwestern, Swarthmore, Vanderbilt and Williams. The scholarship is made up of a financial aid package provided by the college that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses.

While at Regina Dominican, the school says, Morris participates in musicals, Orchesis, student council and the DEI Leadership Board, and she is also a Leadership Institute scholar, a member of the robotics club and participated on the swim team. 

“The Questbridge scholarship is a rigorous and competitive process that requires students to demonstrate their skills and high potential for academic success in college. We are so proud of Cece earning this honor, and getting matched with the University of Chicago is phenomenal,” Regina Principal Dr. Kassie Porreca said. “I can’t wait to watch this next stage of Cece’s life unfold. She is a thoughtful and curious learner, and I know she will make the most of this incredible opportunity. We’re proud to have been part of her story.”

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a subscriber? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.