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South Side honors 2026 top scholars here tonight,” he said. “Thank you for your hard work, cooperation and partnership, because South Side High School has when we work together, we announced its valedictorian know we can do great things for and salutatorian for the class the kids of this community.” Chiara said she of 2026. was honored to be At the district’s named valedictorian. Feb. 25 Board of Edu“I’m really excited,” cation meeting, Prinshe said, “and I’m cipal Patrick Walsh especially excited to named Megan Chishare this jour ney ara, 17, the senior with Abby, because class valedictorian we’ re really good and Abigail Gruner, friends.” also 17, salutatorian. Chiara is active in “It’s really such MeGAN CHIARA student government, an enjoyable experimusical theater and ence each and every volunteer work with time,” Walsh said. Backyard Players, “Once the students and competes on the get over the fear of junior varsity crossbeing called down to country team. the principal’s office She will portray and realize it’s a posRoxie in South Side i t ive m o m e n t , i t High School’s becomes one of the upcoming producmost enjoyable ABIGAIl GRuNeR tion of “Chicago,” things I get to do.” and mentors stuWalsh also addressed the parents in atten- dents with special needs, dance. Gruner’s mother, Janet, encouraging confidence and is the Board of Education’s sec- inclusion. Her academic interests cenretary. “While we’re recognizing ter on math and science, and students who have done such a she plans to major in computer tremendous job, I also want to engineering, with a focus on thank all the parents who are Continued on page 24
By AlYSSA R. GRIFFIN
agriffin@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
Molly Barry and Brooke Seidman, of the Blue team, celebrated their win at the 110th annual Red and Blue, hosted by South Side High School last Saturday.
Blue team reclaims crown in latest Red and Blue meeting By BRIAN KACHARABA & AlYSSA R. GRIFFIN of the Herald
For the fourth straight year, the title at South Side High School’s Red and Blue event changed hands. Powered by victories in the skit, prop and dance categories, the Blue team reclaimed the crown last Saturday with a 70-52 win over the Red team before a raucous, standing-room-only crowd in the high school gym. The Blue team has now won six of the last eight competitions and eight of the past 12 dating to 2015, taking a 52-46-11 advantage in the event’s 110-year history. The three-day competition began on Feb. 26, when the teams performed their friend-
ship and march songs, and unveiled handmade posters featuring inspirational messages tied to the aerobics, jazz, disco and tap portions of their skits. Teams also presented an emblem artwork highlighting their cocaptains and their skit themes. Results from those cate gories were announced toward the end of Saturday’s festivities, with the teams tying in the 5-point songs and posters categories, while judges awarded the Blue team 3 points for its emblem. Both teams debuted their skits and gym tumbling routines on Friday night. The Red team performed a spoof of the 2015 Pixar film “Inside Out,” in which the lead characContinued on page 16