After the team’s victory, everyone is invited to come and catch up with classmates and friends and enjoy some of the best pizza in all of Chicagoland–at Beggars Pizza, on 147th St., just east of the Metra train tracks.   Beggars is proudly owned and operated by former NFL pro and Thornton alum Napoleon Harris, ‘97.   We look forward to seeing you on Alumni Night for a fun time of coming together to cheer and to celebrate the great Wildcat tradition!

The weather was nothing short of perfect this year, and the course was in pristine condition. The staff at Calumet is wonderful to us every year, seemingly better every year, contributing hugely to our effort on behalf of the Thornton students. Special thanks to Randy Wexter, the general manager and golf pro, and to Linda Falkenthal, catering director, for their tireless work on behalf of TALF and our goals.

Dan Ustian is a sterling model—the gold standard—of an alum who year after year demonstrates his deep commitment to reaching back to support Thornton students and to help ensure that Thornton’s great tradition of excellence in academics and athletics (and extracurricular programs) remains strong and vibrant.   Thank you, Dan, from all of us at TALF.  Our sincere thanks as well to the Navistar vendors, whose great generosity makes it possible to fund much-needed educational enrichment programs for Thornton.  We most heartily thank the Navistar staff who assisted in all the detailed planning for the golf outing, and this includes our special thanks to Janell McCann, whose help with the online auction, preparation in a thousand ways, and assistance on the day of the event were above and beyond the call of any duty.   We also express our deep gratitude and appreciation to Bill Hayes, 42, and his wife Susan Seaforth Hayes, to Tom Dreesen, 57, and to Rod Higgins, 78, for their unique and hugely popular donations to our live auction.

The golf sold out completely, and there was also a terrific turnout for dinner. Navistar put together a wonderful video for the event, presented by Dan Ustian, reflecting the positive impact your many and generous gifts have had on the students at TTHS. Tony Ratliff, Thornton principal, spoke in rousing terms about his love and support of Wildcat Country. Eric Fox, TALF president, spoke to the assembled alums and friends on the goals of the organization, and about the ongoing needs at the school.

As a result of the great support from you, our sponsors, donors and caring friends, the event generated $117,000-plus!   All of these proceeds will be used to further our mission: To enhance student programs at Thornton and to extend Thornton’s proud legacy of nurturing, molding and sending out into the world successful, accomplished Thornton graduates. Thank you, thank you.

Desmond Schuford graduated with a 3.58 GPA, ranked 31 in his class of 453.  He lettered all four years in cross country/track, and also served as Vice President of SAVE (Students Against Viiolence Everywhere).  He will be studying Business at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.  Desmond and his family live in Dolton.

Jade Gray graduated 39th in her class with a GPA of 3.5. She will be attending St. Xavier;s University in Ohio, planning to go eventually study medicine. She lettered in volleyball and also participated in track and basketball. Jade served in a variety of organizations at TTHS: National Honor Society, Student Council, Freshman Tutor, Restorative Justice and Peer Mediation.  She and her family also live in Dolton.

Our heartiest congratulations to both Jade and Schuford, and our continuing thanks to the generous donor who provides these scholarships.

The Sophisticats performed at lunch, much to the delight of the crowd.  Later in the day, we had Cheerleaders helping with raffle basket and split-the-pot tickets. Students from the Navistar sponsored Diesel Engine Program, a huge success for the high school and the community, also joined us for dinner.

We were pleased to honor eight former teachers this year, although not all of them were able to join us in person. Ted Czech, Bill Hayse, Don McGee, George Roeper, Erin Roeper, Al Sowa, Ed Beghosian and Fred Harvey were this year’s special guests at dinner. We again thank them for their contributions to the lives of so many, and hold them in our hearts.

Tom Dreesen joined us again this year and was hilarious at dinner. What a special gift he is to us all. Thank you so much, Tom.

The event was a financial success as well, thanks entirely to the generosity of many, not least of all Dan Ustian and many people connected to Navistar.  Our ongoing thanks, Dan.  And thanks to each of you. Your gifts, subscriptions, auction purchases, and on and on, made it possible for TALF to make a net profit on this event of nearly $100,000. What an amazing testament, particularly in difficult times, to your commitment to our young people. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The 2009 recipient, Tiras Hill, continues his studies at Eastern Michigan University. The 2008 winner, Nathan Harris, also continues his studies at Northern Illinois University.

TALF thanks the anonymous donor who supports this wonderful ongoing scholarship program for TTHS students.