Editor's Notebook

GCHS Writers Week 2013 Celebrates the Written Word

Authors, songwriters, broadcasters and journalists shared their expertise with students at Grayslake Central High School.

How to write a story, how to get published, and how to pursue creative dreams were all part of the GCHS Writers Week 2013. The inaugural event was billed as "a week-long celebration of writing." I was honored to be asked to speak at the event on April 2 at Grayslake Central High School, organized by teacher Carl Hauck. I spoke about Patch and the future of digital media. The students asked great questions. I hoped to instill in them that everyone has a story, and writing those stories is a pretty cool privilege. The amount and the variety of other speakers was impressive. It included writers Jay Asher, Jay Bonansinga, Alicia Erian, Sam Weller, Mike Mullin, and Jonathan Eig, Lisa Black; musicians Company of Thieves; Young Chicago Authors; …

• Photos (1)

Grayslake Central to Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer at Tonight's Game

The culmination of "Pink Week" at GCHS will be tonight's Think Pink" football game.

Grayslake Central High School will show its support of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its "Think Pink" varsity football game against Woodstock North at 7:15 p.m. this evening. "Our goal is to raise awareness throughout the school and our community about breast cancer and inspire people to join in the fight for a cure," said student Haley Little. Prior to the Rams hitting the field, students will give a presentation about breast cancer awareness, said Little, "so that we can become knowledgeable about prevention and save lives." The presentation will start at about 6:50 p.m. and will include a speech from a cancer survivor, said Little. "We will be playing against Woodstock North and the stadium will be decorated for the …

• Photos (2)

Grayslake Park Dist. To Hold Youth Basketball Tryouts

The Grayslake Park District is hosting a traveling basketball league for boys and girls in fifth through eighth-grade.

Fifth though eighth-grade boys and girls residing in District 127 are invited to try out for the Grayslake Park District's traveling basketball teams. Teams are selected through tryouts and play at a more competitive level.  A solid commitment to practice and game schedules is necessary from both parents and players. The cost for the season is $400, plus a $100 uniform fee. Tryouts are a two day process. First and second tryouts at Grayslake Central High School will be held at various times Sept 15 and 23. Tryouts at Grayslake North High School will be held at various times Sept. 23 and 29. Click here for the full schedule. Participants should attend both tryout dates. Parents must accompany players at the first day in order to complete …

• Photos (2)

Traffic Alert: Lake Street Closing June 12 for Four Days

Drivers will have to find a new route to avoid Lake Street this week.

Drivers, beware: Lake Street near downtown Grayslake will be closed for four days beginning June 12. The railroad crossing near Grayslake Central High School is being repaired, said Village of Grayslake officials. The work was originally set to begin on June 5, but got pushed back until June 12. The routine track maintenance will begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

• Photos (3)

PHOTO GALLERY: A Look Back at GCHS' Sectional Win

Although the Grayslake Central Baseball Team lost Monday in the supersectional, the team's recent 4-0 win over Vernon Hills is definitely worth another look.

Take a look back at the 1-hit game the Rams' Mark Ash pitched against Vernon Hills on June 2. Special thanks to AJ Marisca for the great photos.

•  4 Comments
• Photos (32)

Steve Gertz Hired As New AD At Grayslake Central

New athletic director will replace Tom Kim, who is moving over to an associate principal role at GCHS.

Steve Gertz has been hired as the new athletic director at Grayslake Central High School, District 127 confirmed Thursday. He will begin his new role on July 1, 2012.   Gertz has seven years of athletic director experience, and 18 overall years in education. Previously, he was athletic and activities director at Burlington Central High School where he has been for the past two years, said District 127 Superintendent Catherine Finger. Prior to moving to Central High School, Gertz worked as athletic and activities director at Streamwood High School for five years. There, he served as department chair of physical education and driver education as well as assistant athletic director and teacher. Gertz earned his BA degree from Western Illinois…

• Photos (1)

Grayslake Central Track Takes Fourth In State

Luke Zygmunt took first place in the 800, and third in the mile.

Grayslake Central High School came up big at the State Track Meet at O'Brien Stadium in Charleston, Illinois. The team finished fourth in the state with 44 points, one point away from winning a third place trophy. "This is the first ever state championship team from Grayslake in any sport," said Head Coach Brent Pitt. Luke Zygmunt took first place in the 800 with 1:55.24. He also placed third in the mile with 4:21.87.  Will Brewster took second place in both the 2-mile with 9:19:45 and the mile with 4:20.40. Joey Valdivia took third place in the shot put, throwing 56' 1.5" to break the school record, his personal best. And the 4x200 relay of Jourdan Swopes, Matt Weatherhead, Kacey Adams and Davonte Jennings placed seventh with a time of 1:…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (3)