“I have been in swimming, basketball and softball, since I was age 6,” Williams said.

Williams, a Special Olympics ambassador, and fellow Special Olympians were on hand as the Huntley Police Department hosted the 20th annual fundraiser for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Illinois Special Olympics May 19. Dunkin of Huntley locations supplied the doughnuts while officers waved from its rooftop and accepted donations for Illinois Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The HHS senior selected to be the student speaker is Yehan Subasinghe, son of Vishan and Sherryl Subasinghe. Subasinghe will attend Vanderbilt University this fall and major in Computer Science with a focus on engineering management. He was selected to receive the James Clark four-year scholarship program, "which will help me pursue my career goals of becoming a lead software engineer and founding my own startup company," Subasinghe said.

"That is three straight years without a single defeat in the FVC," Saccomanno said.

The Red Raiders dismissed Crystal Lake South, 17-4, May 17 for an 8-0 league record.

"Obviously it is what we wanted to do and the players worked really hard for it - it was a big goal," Saccomanno said. "It's good to see their hard work rewarded."

Freshman No. 1 singles player Will Geske became the first Red Raider to win the Fox Valley Conference championship at that slot in the FVC  tournament May 11-12. Geske will bring a 19-1 record to sectional while the first doubles team of Ben Hein and Jonathon Stec are 13-7. Geske beat Jacob Kim of Prairie Ridge, 7-5, 6-4.

The Cop on a Rooftop will take place at the two Huntley Dunkin locations, 12090 Princeton Drive and 9800 Route 47 from 5 a.m. to noon. For the 20th year, the police department will participate in the Cop on a Rooftop in order to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Illinois.

On the ground, a variety of officers and community members will be collecting donations, selling 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run merchandise and spending time with Special Olympics Athletes.

The Red Raiders that day were also awarded the top seed at the IHSA Grayslake North sectional and had won nine straight matches. Head coach Dominic Saccomanno has had a long coaching relationship with the Class of 2023, dating back to U12 summer tournaments.

"I remember meeting coach Saccomanno for the first time," senior  Liam Manning said.

Renae St. Clair, who founded the HHS Medical Academy, was presented with the honor at a ROE event. St. Clair said she was surprised to receive the accolade. The program left the night's biggest award for the end as other award categories winners were named. St. Clair described the event her reaction to the award.

The Red Raiders have high goals going into the IHSA Class 3A Girls State Track and Field Meet May 18-20 at Eastern Illinois University after a 109 point showing. Eight events qualified to go to Charleston.

"To win a sectional is incredible," Huntley coach Jason Monson said.

As she did in basketball season, Morgan is a team captain on a successful squad.

"It's very special," said Morgan McCaughn after the Red Raiders downed Crystal Lake South 5-0 May 9. She said always bringing a positive attitude each day was the most important aspect.

For McCaughn, her start in soccer included being coached by her dad, Kyle, who is also the Crystal Lake South head girls soccer coach.

"Participants spent the evening visiting our downtown businesses - shopping, eating and laughing with friends," Melissa Stocker, Economic Development and Marketing & Recruitment Specialist, said. "Upon checking in with the Village of Huntley, each person received a game card used to collect stamps at each location they visited. The game cards were then turned in for raffle tickets. To support the concept of shopping local and to promote Huntley's businesses, a receipt or proof of purchase from the evening earned additional raffle tickets.

Raethz was an award winner from District 6. The accolades were presented to winners at the IBCA Coach of the Year luncheon at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena in Normal May 6.

"It was a very nice event and the IBCA does a great job of promoting basketball around the state and honoring the successes of players, coaches and teams," Raethz said.

The Red Raiders wrote another chapter in its dominance of the Fox Valley Conference Track and Field Meet at Red Raider Stadium May 5. With four conference records and individual championships, the HHS squad amassed 149 points to swamp runners-up Prairie Ridge's 82.

The effort gives the Red Raiders momentum heading into the Class 3A IHSA Sectional Meet May 10 here, ahead of the Girls State Track and Field Meet May 18-20 at Eastern Illinois University.

"What Hood has accomplished as a high jumper is pretty amazing," Red Raiders boys track and field coach Chris Maxedon said.

"We found out that he might be a decent jumper last year at an indoor meet,” Maxedon said. “After the event was over, the mats were still out and he jumped over 6’1” in crocks. At that point we told McKale that he needed to try the high jump.

Flash forward 13 years later, on a sun-splashed Thursday at Huntley High School. Starting with captains Ryan and Brayden Bakes, sons of Melissa and Chris and concluding with Aiden Zimmerman, son of Laura and Brian, the 17 Class of 2023 members enjoyed senior day traditions. A total of 14 players will be playing baseball next year at Midwest colleges, while Ryan Bakes will attend South Carolina University.

The Green Bracelet is for residents who are elderly, have disabilities that could place them at a higher risk for becoming disoriented, lost or confused, or may have difficulty communicating their needs. It is also for those who could benefit due to autism, Alzheimer's, dementia or other physical or mental health history.

Participants will be issued a Green Bracelet containing a metal face plate bearing an ID number and instructions to contact the Algonquin Police Department if the participant needs assistance.

Bittman, along with other April 4 election winners Gina Galligar, Laura Murray, Michael Thompson recited the oaths-of-office given by former Board President Tony Quagliano.

Bittman was elected over Quagliano by a 4-3 vote. Casting votes for Bittman were members Murray, Galligar, Thompson and Bittman. Quagliano's school board presidency bid was supported by members Sean Cratty, Paul Troy and Quagliano.

The players are seniors Ryan and Brayden Bakes; senior Dillon Putty and sophomore AJ Putty and senior Mike Dabe and sophomore Ryan Dabe.

"I have never had three sets of brothers on the same team," Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski said. "The one thing that all sets of brothers have in common is that they are all character guys and they show up each and every day."

Binger said the honor represents the work of many through the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce and the village.

"The honor is not just an individual achievement but a recognition of the collective efforts of our community," Binger said.

"We're 7-3 and three losses have all come to teams in the top five," Red Raiders coach Dominic  Saccomanno said. "It definitely prepares us to be in a good position and to fine tune our whole system."

HHS had not played since an 8-6 win over Barrington April 18 due to weather postponements, but through 10 matches, Saccamanno has a good idea of the team's dedication.

Ferrara joined an elite group as she gained her 100th goal in two varsity seasons. She went on to add two more goals in a hard-fought 9-8 overtime loss to Stevenson. Ferrara tallied a school record 59 goals last season and had 39 goals this season before the match against the Patriots.

It all began in fifth grade when Ferrara, daughter of Nicole and Sam, discovered lacrosse.