Oak Forest & Tinley Park HS Choral Programs Join Forces to Raise Funds

Oak Forest High School Fine Arts Faculty Members Victor Pazik and Nick Rojek present Freshman Emily Tibbett and her parents Veronica and Luis Lopez a check for $2,950 to benefit their Relay for Life team, called “Together We Are Stronger!” This benefit was a terrific success. Mr. Pazik announced, “The benefit concert raised $2,950 for the Together We Are Stronger Team!” Congratulations to the Choral Programs of Oak Forest High School and Tinley Park High School! This was the culminating event in a magical evening filled with Disney music, dancing and singing. Little girls arrived at OFHS in Princess dresses and danced in the aisles as students sang their favorite Disney songs from a multitude of Disney films. Concessions and t-shirts were also sold during the event. As patrons entered the concert, they could fill out a name on a star to memorialize or to honor a loved one who has battled cancer. During the event, the audience sat entranced as combined choirs from Oak Forest and Tinley Park High Schools joined forces to raise money to benefit the Together We’re Stronger Team on the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. According to Choral Director Victor Pazik, the idea was entirely student-directed. He said, “A group of students approached me stating they were interested in doing something for the community. After a number of meetings and discussion with administration this benefit concert was scheduled.” The Together We Are Stronger Team was created by OFHS student Emily Tibbet and her family, Veronica and Luis Lopez. Mrs. Lopez said, “When Emily was 12 years old she was diagnosed with Pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma. Our world was turned upside down in an instant! No one ever imagines their child would ever have any type of cancer. The doctors assured us that Emily’s prognosis was favorable, thank God.” Emily had surgery which removed all the cancer and put her in remission until it came back two years later. Her doctors treated her with injections at that time through August of this year. Mrs. Lopez said, “Emily came to me in April wanting to start a team for the local American Cancer society event called Relay for Life. My daughter decided to name her team ‘Together We Are Stronger!’ The name became symbolic and meaningful to her as she sees her family and friends support her and for those they lost or those that are surviving cancer. Emily has given our family the strengths we never thought would be possible. We will all be doing the Relay for Life once again on June 17. Cancer has touched and affected us all in one way or another, help us continue to fight for a cure by joining her team or donating to such an amazing cause! Thank you for your support tonight!”