Downtown Displays Community High School Homecoming Excitement

West Chicago, Illinois: September 27, 2007 - Downtown West Chicago business owners displayed their own hometown spirit this week by featuring the artwork of the many talented clubs and classes of West Chicago Community High School on their storefront windows for Homecoming Week. Main Street became a colorful outdoor gallery of enthusiastic messages and images depicting this year's student theme of 'We Waited All Year for This'.

Community High School teacher and student council advisor Eric Laskey and his student council members reached out to Main Street merchants for a decades old tradition. After dropping off a letter requesting participation, students followed up with business owners. "Many merchants want to be a part of it," said Laskey. "For some it's automatic, for others that are new to the downtown, it's a new experience." Participating businesses this year include St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Shop, DuPage National Bank, Jacobsen's Flowers, Mexico Chiquito Restaurant, Miguel's Barber Shop, Nueva Imagen Hair Salon, and Community Chiropractic Center.

General Manager Bill Thomas, of the St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Shop, says he and his staff enjoy the seasonal involvement. "We're glad to support the school spirit of West Chicago Community High School students and always enjoy seeing the camaraderie of the students while they're working on the windows," he shared.

Support from businesses like Jacobsen's Flowers resulted in a display that stretched its team spirit across two front windows, "Through Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall.Widcats Beat'em All". Jacobsen's owner Judy Malmberg, whose participation has spanned many years, has come to look forward to seeing students arrive on Main Street for the annual window painting. "I really enjoy when the students come into my shop to talk about Homecoming. I have watched many of them grow up and have gone from providing corsages and boutonnières for Homecoming and prom to designing wedding arrangements for them years later."

Equally gratified by this expression of community spirit finding an outlet in historic downtown West Chicago was City Museum and Cultural Services Director LuAnn Bombard. "The intricate architecture of historic buildings provides a unique frame for the students' creativity and really drives home the concept of 'downtown as the center for community life,' and putting down roots in a community. It's significant that our young people turn to the downtown to express their own sense of belonging to the community."

Winners of the window painting class challenge, judged by a Homecoming committee, were the Horticultural Club in First Place, the Future Business Leaders of America with Second Place and the Junior Class with Third Place honors. For more information about the schedule of Homecoming activities, visit the Community High School website at www.district94.dupage.k12.il.us.

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