Superintendent Dr. Schilling, Memorial Principal Dr. Ross, and Memorial Assistant Principal Mr. Paredes would like to thank our graduating eighth graders and their families for an outstanding Graduation Ceremony on May 29, 2019! This event was truly a representation of the wonderful support our schools receive from the parents and families in Lansing. Best wishes to the Class of 2019 as you move on to future success. It's a great day to be a Mustang!

Memorial Assistant Principal Mr. Nagle addresses sixth graders about the transition to seventh grade next year, including schedules and expectations. We're already planning for 2019-2020! Have a great summer District 158!

After such a wonderful Graduation Ceremony for our Memorial eighth graders, our Mustang students culminated the year with their annual dance celebration! The student body voted on this year's theme: Red Carpet/Hollywood. Kudos to our amazing PTA and Student Leadership Committee for their efforts in executing such a successful celebration.

Sixth graders at Memorial worked in pairs to create a container that would keep an egg from cracking at different heights. This week they completed egg drops from 40 and 90 feet! The containers were also used as baseballs while different teachers tested their strength. Results: 20 projects survived the 90-foot drop and 11 survived Ms. Brown's turn at the bat. Thanks to the Lansing Fire Department for helping with this lesson!

Memorial's Student Council has hosted a Senior Brunch annually for the past seven years. This year's event was very well attended with over 130 seniors participating. The program included performances from the jazz band and choir, a STEM demonstration, preview of the Spring Musical, several notable speakers including the Mayor, and brunch provided by Jimbooo's. We look forward to continuing this event in the future!

Memorial Junior High held its annual Career Day for 8th graders on Friday, May 17. Students listened to professionals who spoke about choosing a career path, educational decisions, overcoming adversity to find success, job responsibilities, and general advice for becoming successful. Careers represented included a pharmacist, travel agent, physical therapy assistant, business owner, medical technologist, actor, author, financial manager, international pro basketball player, clinical psychologist, and U.S. Army journalist!

On May 16-17, Memorial students performed their Spring Musical Seussical Jr.! Congratulations to directors Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Burri, and Mrs. Eckert on a great production. Our students did an amazing job with their singing and acting skills! The program was very entertaining and well received by the audience.

We are happy to announce that Ana-liese Torian is the new State Champion in the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.9 seconds. The track and field state competition finals took place on Saturday, May 18th at Corwin Clatt Field in East Peoria. We are so proud of Ana-liese, our fearless Mighty Mustang!

Congratulations to Memorial Junior High School for receiving the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) Division C Sportsmanship Award this year! This recognition is given to schools and communities "that exemplify all around good behavior indicative of good citizens and good sports." Memorial will be receiving a banner to display for the award. Great job! #158Strong

Good luck to our track athletes as they compete at the state track meet finals on Friday and Saturday in East Peoria. Memorial has athletes qualified in the following: 7th grade girl's 100 meter dash- Samaria Green 7th grade boy's 100 meter dash- Hugo Rincon 7th grade boy's 110 meter hurdles- Jordan Dorsey 7th grade boy's 4x400 meter relay (Jordan Dorsey, Charles miles, Hugo Rincon, Cedric Tientcheu) 7th grade boy's high jump- Charles Miles 8th grade girl's 100 meter dash- Ana-liese Torian 8th grade girl's 100 meter hurdles- Ana-liese Torian 8th grade girl's 4x100 meter relay (Ana-liese Torian, Laniya Porter, Britney Virgil, Lashawnda Phillips) 8th grade boy's 100 meter dash- James Major

This past weekend, Memorial Principal Dr. Ross and Science Department Chair Ms. Schroeder had the pleasure of accompanying three of our students to the State Science Fair. Seventh graders Ainsley Grant and Olamiposi Sulaimon both received Silver Awards in their categories! Eighth grader Craig Morrison received a Bronze award as well as a certificate and $100 prize for Outstanding Project! We are so proud of the job they all did and how well they represented our school. #158Strong

Dr. Ross congratulates 8th graders Gracie Pucher (pictured left) and Kaylyn Pamon (pictured right) at the Illinois Principals Association Student Recognition Breakfast. This event took place on Friday, May 3rd at the Odyssey County Club in Tinley Park. Both young ladies were recognized for their academic excellence, school leadership, and community service involvement. We are so proud of our Mighty Mustangs!

Memorial Junior High School welcomed 29 new members into National Junior Honor Society on Wednesday, May 1! These remarkable seventh and eighth graders not only reflect high academic abilities, but also utilize their leadership skills to make a positive difference in their community through volunteer work. Congratulations!

From April 23 to April 26, Memorial's Concert Band and Concert Choir went “On Tour 2019” and traveled to Memphis, Tennessee! While there, they enjoyed wonderful tours of the Sun Recording Studio – Birthplace of Rock & Roll, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Rock & Soul Museum, and the National Civil Rights Museum. The Band and Choir also toured the Mansion of the 'King of Rock & Roll' and performed on the grounds of Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland! It was a very educational, exciting and fantastic trip and the students represented District 158 and Lansing, Illinois very well.

8th Grade Dance

Memorial Junior High School's Concert Band was treated to a wonderful clinic on Thursday, March 7 from guest clinician Mr. Nendza, Director of Bands at Jack Hille Middle School in Oak Forest. Mr. Nendza's visit and clinic was part of the Music Department's Music-A-Thon annual fundraiser. He offered great constructive feedback to help the band improve as they prepare for their performance at the IGSMA District Competition this Saturday. Good luck band!

Memorial Junior High sent 11 students to North Central College on Saturday, March 9 to complete in the Regional Science Fair. Two are advancing to State on May 3-4: seventh grader Ainsley Grant and eighth grader Craig Morrison. Congratulations! Thanks to Assistant Principal Mr. Paredes, Science Department Chair Ms. Schroeder, and Science Teacher Mrs. Bonaire for being there to support our students.

Memorial's Black History Program took place on Thursday, Feb. 28th at 5:30 pm. During the program, students displayed their talents while celebrating the important contributions of African Americans in our American History. The students demonstrated wonderful performances that included singing, dancing, acting, and amazing monologues portraying the speeches of notable African Americans. Thanks to Ms. Anthony, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Harlston, Mr. Schmidt, Mrs. Scott, Mr. Thompson, and Ms. Washington for helping make this program a great success!

Memorial Junior High School's Area Science Fair took place on Saturday, February 16 and was a big success! A total of 126 students participated - almost 30 more than last year - including 17 from our neighboring Sunnybrook School District 171 . 52 projects were rated Outstanding and 11 students are moving on to Regionals at North Central College. Thanks to Science Department Chair Ms. Schroeder and all of our science teachers, judges, and staff for making this a great event!

It was standing room only at Memorial's Eighth Grade Parent Night on February 13, 2019! All parents received an informational packet that was translated into Spanish thanks to Mrs. Boshears, who also interpreted during the presentation. Dr. Ross, Mr. Paredes, Mr. Herron, Dr. Carter, and Mrs. Barbosa were also on hand to assist with questions. A special thanks to T. F. South Assistant Principal Mr. O'Rourke for sharing the high school open house presentation with our parents.

On Thursday December 20th, Memorial Junior High School’s etiquette course “Guys with Ties and Girls with Pearls”, celebrated the end of the program with a formal tea party. In the company of their adult guests, teachers and administrators, students were able to practice the skills they've learned; including introductions, proper handshakes, making polite conversation, dressing for success, and table manners.

Every school year the staff at Memorial Junior High School works to educate and safeguard our students from acts of bullying. As we began our second semester, students participated in an anti-bullying assembly with guest speakers Vincent Gray and Brian Kizer, Sr. from Follow Your Dream. Both speakers shared their personal experiences with bullying in a powerful, educational format that opened the minds and hearts of our students.

On Monday, December 17, Memorial Junior High swept the Crosstown Classic with the girls winning 47-19 against Heritage Middle School and the boys winning 49-33. Congratulations to our basketball programs and thanks to Ofc. Pierce of the Lansing Police Department for continuing to support this great event!

On Thursday, December 13, Memorial Junior High participated in Shop with a Cop with the Lansing Police Department. Students from Memorial and Heritage were driven by the police to our local Walmart on Torrence and given a $50 gift card to buy gifts for themselves and family. We had a total of 15 Memorial students participate (11 who attended the shopping trip and 4 more who were unable to attend but still received the $50 gift card). There will also be 15 students (5 each from our 3 elementary schools) who will also receive gifts from the Lansing Police. This event was spearheaded by Officer Wilson Pierce.

Memorial's 8th Grade Girls Basketball Team defeated Oak Prairie on Wednesday, December 5 by a score of 62-44, winning Sectionals and earning a trip to State! The girls play against Rochester at 11:30 AM tomorrow at Meridian High School, 728 S. Wall Street, Macon, IL 62544. This is the second consecutive year Memorial's girls basketball program has gone down to the State Tournament!

Congratulations is in order for Memorial's 8th Grade Girls Basketball Team, who just won the IESA Regional Championship convincingly against Prairie Hills! They play in Sectionals this Wednesday, December 5 at 6:30 PM against Oak Prairie Junior High. The game will take place at Prairie Hills in Markham. Go Mustangs!

STEM at Memorial: sixth grade students in Mrs. Schab's class testing their skimmers, which were designed and built with the goal of traveling the furthest distance.

Memorial's Halloween Dance, "Nightmare on Ridge Road", took place on Friday October 26. This event is sponsored by the MJHS Student Council. The members of Student Council worked very hard to develop a theme, create and display decorations, and plan this event. The event included a guest DJ, concessions, and a photobooth created by the Drama Club. Students were able to dress in a creative costume, dance, and have fun together. It was a fun experience for all involved!

Summer Band has been hard at work under the baton of Mr. Becker preparing for their upcoming performance at Memorial Junior High School, which will take place on Friday, August 17 at 11:00 AM. A total of 74 students in grades 6-8 are involved. We hope to see you at the performance!