Oak Forest HS Work Programs Join Forces for Year End Banquet

Oak Forest High School work programs BPA, FCCLA, and DECA joined forces to honor their hard working members at the Annual Work Programs Banquet, held in the IMC at Oak Forest High School. District 228 special guests, Principal Dr. Brad Sikora, Business/Industrial Technology Supervisor Mr. Dwayne Mentgen, Family and Consumer Science Supervisor Dr. April Nykaza, Associate Principal Mr. Dan Dunne, and Assistant Principal Dr. Savka Mladenovich, were on hand to honor the industrious students at the banquet.

Each work program honored the students who have learned so much and have competed in various state and national competitions this year.

The Business Professionals of America (BPA) President Alex Lambros spoke on behalf of the BPA program. She said, “BPA has been a big part of my life and has prepared me for the future. I enjoyed the competitions and looked forward to going to the national competition in Anaheim, California. Thank you Mrs. McSweeney, because you are an amazing woman and a great support.” Oak Forest High School teacher Connie McSweeney is the sponsor of BPA.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) President Diamond Cooks spoke on behalf of the FCCLA program. She said, “Thank you for letting me show my responsibilities. Our favorite member activity of FCCLA this year would be when we went to ‘Feed My Starving Children’ and packed 200 boxes of food for Kenya, and when we went to Tinley Park High School for domestic violence training.” Oak Forest High School teacher Kristina Blair is the sponsor of FCCLA.

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Club President Jalil Abdallah spoke for the DECA program. He said, “Although learning the content was not my favorite, I enjoyed the cluster exams and role playing. I enjoyed the clothing drive we helped with and stuffing pillows for Julia’s Legacy of Hope. Mrs. Gomez pushed us to the limit!” Oak Forest High School teacher Kathleen Gomez is the sponsor of DECA.

All of these students put in countless hours on their club activities. Part of their responsibilities of being a part of this club was getting and maintaining a job which emphasized the work skills they were getting as a part of club activities. All of these clubs competed at the regional and state levels and did very well.