News Briefs: Loyola choirs put on a show; Wilmette youth trotters have a day at state; Highland Park youth tennis players pick up tournament awards

The Loyola Academy choirs presented their annual winter concert, “What the Heart Wants,” on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Inspired by Dorothy Walters’ poem “Until Even the Angels,” the concert featured a selection of songs arranged by Roger Emerson, Alan Billingsley and Mark Brymer.

Choir teacher Jesse Borower expressed his admiration for the students’ courage and vulnerability in performing.

“Singing is incredibly vulnerable, and life can be incredibly scary. Watching these young people find the bravery to stand up and bare their hearts to others inspires me every day,” he wrote in the program. “They teach me that each of us has something on our hearts that we want so desperately to say and, with the right amount of courage to say it, even the angels can wake up and take notice.”

The concert showcased the talent of Loyola’s student singers across all grade levels. Students reflected on the positive experience and the sense of community fostered by the choir program.

“If asked what about this concert felt unique, I’d say that no Loyola concert is really ever the same,” senior Thomas Grant said in a Loyola report. “I really enjoyed singing ‘Keep Your Lamps’ because of the energy chamber singers always give to this song. The concert went really well, and showed off just how talented all grade levels are in the school.”

Kat Labbé, a junior, highlighted the uplifting power of the song “I See Stars,” saying, “It emulated such a positive, engaging, and united message within and between the choirs. It felt powerful and uplifting to be a part of.”

WJH Wolves cross-country competes at state

The Wilmette Junior High cross-country team placed 10th among 24 teams at the IESA state championships Oct. 19 at Maxwell Park in Normal.

The WJHS team scored 281 points, narrowly missing ninth place to Barrington Prairie. This finish marks the team’s first top-10 state finish since 2012.

The WJHS team was led by standout performances from Carter Hollis and Maxwell Overstreet, both of whom earned All-State honors. Hollis finished fifth out of 222 runners with a time of 10 minutes 46.89 seconds, while Overstreet secured 23rd place with a time of 11:12.44.

The Wolves’ scoring quintet was rounded out by Cormac Kelly (11:56.02), Duncan Stambor (12:04.73) and Tyler Zheng (12:34.13).

The WJHS girls’ cross-country team also had a successful season, with both the seventh- and eighth-grade teams winning conference titles earlier in the fall. Two individual runners, Jill Crane (69th, 12:51.32) and Annabel Choi (118th, 13:25.55), competed at the state meet, capping off strong seasons.

Coaches Colin Meyer and Alicia Retzinger expressed pride in the cross-country runners, saying in a statement, “Their dedication, desire to improve, and commitment to each other were evident all season and it is great to see them get rewarded for all of their hard work.”

Youth tennis players find success

Six young tennis players from Deer Creek Racquet Club, of Highland Park, achieved impressive victories at various tournaments Oct. 18-20.

Kira Keller and Sabine Amaro secured first and second place respectively in a USTA Level 6 Tournament held at Downers Grove High School. Maya Keller triumphed in the USTA Level 5 Champion Girls 12’s XS Tennis Village tournament in Chicago, claiming the top spot.

Marshall Watson took first place at the USTA Level 6 Champion Boys 14’s tournament at Metea Valley High School. Andie Lawrence earned a first-place finish at the USTA Level 6 Champion Girls 14’s Eastside Tennis and Fitness Club in Kenosha.

Rounding out the successful weekend, Adrian Amaro won first place at the USTA Level 7 Champion Boys 12’s tournament at Downers Grove South High School.

A press release from the Park District of Highland Park reads, “This past weekend was an incredible one for our Deer Creek Racquet Club youth tennis players! We’re excited to share the achievements of six of our talented athletes who each brought home tournament victories. Their hard work, dedication, and passion has paid off and we couldn’t be more proud!​”