Spartans Pay Tribute to True American Hero

Submitted by Joseph McCurdy. Photo (L to R): Rosemary Jepsen, Jennifer Jepsen, Bill Jepsen

The South Suburban Conference asks its baseball teams to support an important cause each season.

This year the SSC chose Wounded Warriors. Therefore, the Oak Lawn Community High School baseball program chose to honor United States Marine Corporal Conner T. Lowry, the nephew of English teacher Jennifer Jepsen.

Conner made the ultimate sacrifice on March 1, 2012 in Afghanistan. Conner was a graduate of Brother Rice High School, so head baseball coach Bill Gerny found the games against Brother Rice to be a natural fit to honor Conner because it would be meaningful to both teams.

On April 4, 2015, all three levels of both schools wore jerseys with the name Lowry on the back. Rosemary Jepsen, a Spartan freshman, threw out the first pitch at the freshman game, and Modie Lavin, Conner’s mom, threw out the pitch at the varsity game.

Jenn Jepsen said, “My entire family was overwhelmed by the support of the Spartan baseball teams. The players represented the class and integrity of the baseball program. The players seem to have gained a heightened awareness of honoring our military and fallen heroes.”

In addition, several faculty members at OLCHS purchased and wore the jerseys on the Thursday before spring break. Proceeds went to the Conner T. Lowry Scholarship program at Brother Rice.

The Spartans will again wear their jerseys on April 18, 2015 when they face Argo. Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warriors program.

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