What's recently happened?
Basketball season continues on, and the River Forest High School Boys and Girls Basketball teams have put things in motion for their seasons. The Boys and Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity (JV) Basketball teams have participated in the River Forest Holiday Tournament and left with multiple victories. These student athletes made many staff and community members proud as they put their all out on the courts.
River Forest also recently hosted its inaugural River Forest Holiday Bash. All River Forest families were warmly welcomed to partake in the festive fun. This day filled with activities was held Saturday, December 16 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. It was held at the River Forest cafeteria. This holiday bash included complimentary breakfast, children's games, face painting, holiday craft making, and a special guest appearance from the man in the red suit.
What's coming up?
River Forest Community School Corporation has announced that, starting January 16, 2024 there will be a newly found usage of an innovative mobile device app and website entitled Here Comes the Bus. This new software will be available in three languages (English, Spanish, and French).
Shortly after winter break concludes, River Forest will be participating in its annual Homecoming for the basketball season. This year's theme is Wonderland. The Homecoming celebrations will take place January 15-19, 2024 and will feature a variety of daily themes: Tuesday is matching with the crew; Wednesday is decades day - early 2000s; Thursday is teachers dressed as students and students dressed as teachers; and Friday is school spirit.
This February, River Forest will be teaming up with the yearbook team for a festive photoshoot. These photoshoots will permit up to six students per photo for just $3 per student. These photoshoots will take place on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.
Staff spotlight:
Cindy Forsell is an art teacher at River Forest. Forsell started her career at River Forest in 2001 teaching elementary and middle school art. She held this position for 12 years and then transitioned to the high school position when her mentor, Gloria Komosa, retired after 40 years of teaching. Since then, the two have remained close friends.
This is year 23 as an Ingot for Forsell. Forsell holds many positions at River Forest which include being the high school art and AP teacher, the career and technical education (CTE)/Spanish/Unified Arts Department Chair, teacher mentor, high school art show coordinator, high school art club sponsor, and, as of this year, an AD supervisor for after school events.
“I love that art allows each of us to be ourselves. It is an outlet for expressing our thoughts and feelings in visual form,” Forsell said. “It allows us to escape and quiet our minds in a chaotic world. Viewing a painting or work of art can instantly bring pure joy or tell an entire story. I love art for an infinite number of reasons and feel so very fortunate to have art all around us and part of our everyday lives.”
While Forsell has a passion for art, she also loves being a coach. Forsell coached the middle and high school Spell Bowl and academic teams for 20 years, middle school Girls Volleyball for 18 years, and middle school Girls Basketball for 10 years. She currently coaches middle school cross country and middle school Girls Track as she has for 15 plus years.
Forsell attended St. Francis College out of high school and earned her bachelor's degree in education from Purdue University. Forsell was hired at River Forest for her art background and earned her visual arts endorsement at Saint Joseph’s College. Forsell also holds a master’s degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University.
“I graduated from Hanover Central in 1993 when it was a very small school where everyone knew each other. I get that same feeling at River Forest,” Forsell said. “I started teaching at River Forest in 2001 and never imagined that I would still be here today. I am certain that I will retire as an Ingot. As they say, ‘Once an Ingot, always an Ingot.’ I love our students and our staff.”
When not at River Forest, Forsell enjoys sunny days by the pool or time at the beach with friends and family during the summer months. Forsell also enjoys planting flowers and gardening. Forsell does not travel as much as she would like but is always up for a road trip to a new destination. She considers it a great way to stumble upon a new gallery, shop, or restaurant.
“I was inspired to become an art teacher by my high school art teacher and mentor, Mr. Louis ‘Lou’ Greer, whom I also consider family. Sadly, Lou passed away in November, but he was always my biggest supporter and inspiration,” Forsell said. “Mr. Greer arranged for my college visits and steered me onto the right path. He even came in and did a class lecture for my students on the lost wax bronze casting process. He was an amazing sculptor and painter. Lou was one of a kind, and I can only hope to impact my students the way he impacted me and so many others.”
Student spotlight:
Sandra Matias-Mendoza is a senior at River Forest. After graduation Matias-Mendoza plans to go to a four year college and pursue a career as an aerospace engineer. Space has always been extremely fascinating to Matias-Mendoza who finds a thrill in the unknown. Matias-Mendoza considers herself a dreamer which has played a role in her passion for art since it allows her to design these possibilities. Matias-Mendoza plans to design and make space ships as it requires a lot of teamwork and a lot of patience.
In Matias-Mendoza’s free time, she enjoys painting and drawing, whether that be traditional or digital. She has also taken a newly found interest in playing games like “Animal Crossing” and “Overcooked” on her Nintendo Switch. She enjoys reading and watching movies or shows when time allows as well.
“My favorite memory is my first pep rally and not for the reason one would assume,” Matias-Mendoza said. “I always laughed looking back on our class cheer because it was so anti-climatic. The other classes were decked in our school colors head to toe meanwhile our class was in blacks and grays which the contrast was hilarious. I enjoy this memory because we were infamous for it and it brings joy to other people as well. However, this year we won the cheer and it honestly was a great conclusion to our high school journey of lame cheers.”
While Matias-Mendoza has a passion for all things artistic, she also takes many rigorous courses. She is currently taking honors and dual credit classes this year such as Dual Credit English 12 Language Composition, AP Calculus and AP 2D-Art and Design.
“My advice to incoming freshmen is that you should just go for it, no matter what it is,” Matias-Mendoza said. “Open yourself to opportunities and new friendships because you never know what life has in store for you. Taking a leap of faith may seem scary, but these risks pay off in the end. Making mistakes is a part of life, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”