NL_120816

newlenoxpatriot.com sound off
the New Lenox Patriot | December 8, 2016 | 17
Social snapshot
Top Web Stories
From NewLenoxPatriot.com as of Monday,
Dec. 5
1. Boys Bowling: West remains undefeated
after statement win over Bolingbrook
2. Wrestling: Pins from Bohne, Schmidt, lead
West past Sandburg
3. New Lenox houses largest lit Santa Claus
in the country
4. Up to $20,000 worth of phones stolen from
New Lenox Sprint store
5. Girls Basketball: Griffins spoil former East
students, Campanile’s return to Frankfort
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from the assistant editor
Take a leaf from their book
Amanda Stoll
a.stoll@22ndcenturymedia.com
Lincoln-Way
Transition students
remind us what’s
really important
A
few weeks ago, I
had the opportunity
to visit the Lincoln-
Way Transition students at
Lincoln-Way Central and
tour their greenhouse and
their card making classroom.
The Transition program
helps students with special
needs do just that — transition
from high school to
adulthood and independence.
Students work on life and
social skills while developing
job skills that will help
them when they leave the
program.
Upon my arrival at the
school, I was met by Mary
Harrison, the Director of
Special Services, and we
walked down to the area of
the school that houses the
Transition Program.
Standing in the hallway,
I could see students in a
nearby classroom learning
to cook a turkey for their
upcoming holiday meal.
We were quickly joined by
four students and one of their
instructors, Josh Kreske, who
took us to the greenhouse.
The small glass sided
building was overflowing
with poinsettias the students
have grown this school year,
the sight of which could
lift even a Grinch’s spirits.
Walking out the back door
of the school, I could see all
the red and white color from
across the parking lot.
When we got there, it was
clear the students were proud
of their work and excited to
tell me about it. We chatted
for a few minutes in the
greenhouse before heading
back up to the school building.
The students went back
to their classes, and Harrison
showed me to the card
making classroom, where
students were hard at work
making holiday cards to sell.
Again, I was impressed
with the care and detail the
students put into their work,
and how much fun they
seemed to be having doing it.
They were focusing on
their work, but each of them
took a moment to smile or
wave when we came in the
room. There was music playing,
and they were dancing
at their seats as they worked.
Before I left I had the
opportunity to talk to Kreske
and Harrison a bit more, but
it wasn’t until I got home at
the end of the day that I realized
how much I’d enjoyed
my time there.
It’s no secret that a joyful
mood is infectious, but it
took me a while to pinpoint
the reason why the rest of
my day had been so upbeat,
even despite my busy workload
before the Thanksgiving
holiday.
Maybe it’s cliché but
wouldn’t every day be so
much better if everyone took
a leaf from their book over at
the Transition Program?
This coming week, I
want to challenge everyone
to smile more and to try to
embody the welcoming and
joyful attitude of this group
of students.
I know I’m still new here,
but I’m already getting
hooked on my job. This
week, I got the opportunity
to meet and talk with people
I might never have crossed
paths with, and don’t think
this kind of experience will
be my last here.
New Lenox Public Library posted this Dec. 1:
“Moxie McJingles is back from the North
Pole! Moxie was busy reading about being a
penguin...to penguins. Oh Moxie!”
Like The New Lenox Patriot: facebook.com/TheNewLenoxPatriot
“It may be early in the season, but it’s
already Senior Night for Girls Gymnastics!
Congrats to our four LW Seniors!”
@LWWestWside, on Nov. 29
Follow The New Lenox Patriot: @TheNLPatriot
Poetry Corner
Do not love this world
By possessions, not be lured
The Father’s love is not in these
Outside God’s Kingdom, thieves.
For all that is in this world
Like a carrot above us, twirled
The lust of the flesh will strive
To feed this deceptive drive.
The lust of the eyes will begin
For it is pleasing the allure of sin
In the mind, deception grows
As the conscience signal slows.
Pride will lift its ugly head
And will fill the lust that’s fed
The heart deceitful above all things
Justifies, the captive lust it brings.
The Birth of Sin
Each is tempted when drawn away
Enticed by their own desires play
Desire conceived gives birth to sin
Sin, full grown, brings death within.
Those who have these ungodly traits
Are not of the Father, darkness baits
This world will pass away with its lust
To do the will of God, we must.
Blessed is the man who endures
The lustful temptations that occurs
When he’s approved, passed the test
The Lord gives the crown of life and rest.
Julie Sanders, New Lenox Resident
If you are a New Lenox resident and would like
to submit a poem, contact editor James Sanchez
at james@newlenoxpatriot.com or call (708) 326-
9170 ext. 48.
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