What’s recently happened?
The River Forest High School (RF) Ingots are back in school, and of course that means football season is back on track. The RF football team is back on its feet and ready to compete with schools such as Calumet New Tech High School, Wheeler High School, West Side Leadership Academy, Griffith High School, and Boone Grove High School. The RF team is known for its many wins and highly competitive players. Last week RF won against Calumet with a 35-0 score.
Not only football the only appeal happening during the game, but there is also a performance from the River Forest Marching Band directed by Bridget Flory. The band plays known songs by The Offspring such as “Come Out And Play,” “The Kids Aren't Alright," and “Gone Away.” The band has also been rehearsing all month long to get its performance the best as possible.
What’s coming up?
Johnson's Farm Produce is back at it again with its annual festival. Johnson's Farm has been known for its fresh produce since the ‘40s. They farm all its fresh fruit in Hobart, Indiana. Its anticipated annual festival occurs from summer to fall every year with great food, fun farm activities, and its famous UPick. Additionally, the season for freshly picked corn for the form is right around the corner.
Johnson's has activities for everyone. There is so much to enjoy outside the farm and inside the store too, such as picked fruits and veggies, baked goods from Marilyn's Bakery, and many garden decorations. Check it out for the spooky season to come!
Community member spotlight:
Apolonia Camacho, best known by friends and family as Pola, is an inspiring Mexican woman living in Hobart, Indiana after years of leaving her hometown in Mexico. Camacho is known for being hard-working and living life like it's her last day. She likes to enjoy life and not let any obstacles get in her way.
“Your life has to be hard, otherwise it's a boring life,” Camacho said.
Camacho was born in 1962 in Michoacan, Mexico, and was raised there for 15 years of her life.
“I lived in the country part of the area, so the city kids and the country kids fought a lot on our way to school,” Camacho said.
She lived in a little house with both her parents, Maria and Wencenslou Camacho, and her 11 siblings; two of them sadly passed away from fevers as babies. She still uses many country Mexican traditions from when she was little even now, such as ethnic foods and many homemade remedies.
“We weren’t rich, but we never complained. We loved life,” Camacho said.
Apolonia moved out of her hometown to go to the capital of Mexico, Ciudad De México. She knew that in order to be able to live life to the fullest and follow her dreams of being a phycologist, she would need to move out.
“It was hard at first – who would want to move away from the only place they know at 15?" Camacho said. “I'll never regret doing that though, I'm glad I did. I started to live my life and that is where my journey began.”
Camacho came to the U.S. when she was younger. She loved visiting places such as Chicago, Pennsylvania, and New York. She knew that being in the U.S. would be a dream, but her homeland was her favorite place in the world. In 2004 she went back and forth between Mexico and the U.S. to start working in her family businesses and enjoyed it.
“I was traveling and in two of my favorite places. I was happy,” Camacho said.
In 2007 she was expecting her first daughter and she had to make the final decision to stay in Mexico or the U.S.; she decided it was best to be in the States.
“I had to be smart now and make the best choice for myself and my baby girl. It was hard moving away from a place you know you won’t see any time soon,” Camacho said.
Every day since 2007, Camacho has worked without stopping. She doesn't travel as much as she used to, but she tries to take every opportunity she can.
“I might not be rich in money, but I am rich in health and that's the best type of riches you could ever have,” Camacho said.
In her time in the U.S. Camacho has worked at many jobs. She likes to explore and does not let one thing stop her. She wants everyone to know that everything is possible. Even if there are 100 obstacles coming your way there will always be a way out. She advises to always follow your dreams because it is possible. In the near future, Camacho wants to travel, and she wants to do the things she loves the most beside her daughter.
“I would love to go to Spain – it's very beautiful,” Camacho said. “Never give up and follow your pathway.”