CMS Students Exemplify Good Citizenship

When most kids are gearing up to head back to school, three students from Central Middle School, along with one of their friends, were busy thinking of a way to support their long-time neighbors in a time of sorrow.

Matthey Berry, a Tinley Park High School student and CMS alumnus, died unexpectedly in July. When a scholarship honoring Matthew was announced, CMS students Riley Zilly (sixth grade), Skylar McEnany (seventh grade), Madi Kerrigan (sixth grade), and their friend Alison Hejna decided to help honor Matthew’s memory.

Riley came up with the idea of a lemonade stand to show their support and raise some money for the scholarship fund. She and her group of friends planned the event, including decorations and a menu. They decided all of their offerings would be free, with any donations accepted.

“The girls created a graphic advertising the fundraiser and we sent it out to all of our friends,” said Lindsay Zilly, Riley’s mother. “We also posted it on the PTO and Tinley Park Community Facebook pages. Before we knew it, teachers from CMS and Fulton were also sharing the information.”

The group also set up an option for people to donate using Venmo. People from all over donated via Venmo. Many were former teachers of the Berry children, but many donations came from people who had never met the Berry family before.

Those who stopped by in person didn’t just buy a glass of lemonade. They gathered together and shared stories of Matthew and his family. They laughed and smiled as they remembered Matthew’s sense of humor and zest for life.

“It was beautiful to see our community come together in such an impactful way,” said Zilly. “I couldn’t be more proud of these young girls who planned and executed such an amazing gift for a family in pain.”

In total, the girls raised over $2,200 for the scholarship fund. At the end of August, the three CMS students, their families, and other supporters, met at Central Middle School. There, they presented a check for the Matthew Berry Scholarship Fund to Tinley Park High School Principal Dr. Theresa Nolan and Associate Principal Dr. Randy Couwenhoven. Matthew’s parents, Kevin and Julie Berry, were also present.

“We have lived in Tinley Park for 11 years now,” said Zilly. “In that time, we’ve experienced the love and compassion of a connected community in a multitude of ways. To put it plainly, the people of Tinley Park show up for each other.”

Community Consolidated School District 146 is comprised of Central Middle School, Fierke Education Center, Fulton School, Kruse Education Center, and Memorial School. Students from Tinley Park, Orland Park, and Oak Forest attend District 146 schools.