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Students highlight inaugural girls flag football season, Grove Express race and school activities
Summary
Student presenters from Downers Grove South and a Grove Express junior board described the football team's first season, community race plans and student life issues including phone policy and college application support.
Students and school staff offered the board a series of presentations that included Downers Grove South’s inaugural girls flag football team, the Grove Express junior board and student representatives discussing school culture and activities.
Braden Murphy, associate principal for athletics at Downers Grove South, introduced the girls’ flag football presentation and Coach Allen highlighted the program’s first‑year milestones: a 34–6 win over cross‑town rival Downers Grove North in the season opener, the program’s first playoff victory, three all‑conference players and a summer camp that drew 46 participants. “I have a true joy of flag football… It’s just another outlet to really give girls the opportunity that they deserve,” Coach Allen told the board.
Players described the season and its impact. Senior captain Mila Sanovich Cruz said she wished the program had begun earlier in her high‑school career but was proud of the team’s cohesion and the win over Downers Grove North. “One of the highlights was beating DGN…we all have a greater bond,” she said. Another player, Ayanna Peoples, said her favorite moments were team celebrations after touchdowns. Coach Murphy and staff noted partnerships with the Chicago Bears and the Caleb Cares Foundation; varsity players attended a Bears game and met program supporters.
Representatives of the Grove Express Foundation junior board explained the nonprofit’s Thanksgiving morning race on Main Street, its goal to mark the fifth anniversary and a target of 7,000 racers. The students asked the community to register at groveexpress.com; the current registration fee listed at the meeting was $35 and the race begins at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving.
Student board members from both Downers Grove North and South reported on school life. Presenters said the district’s new phone policy is largely enforced and “teachers and substitutes are very quick to… do a Dean’s referral” when phones are out, though bathroom policies and repeated security interruptions were noted as ongoing concerns. A student vice president reported that DECA membership has grown to more than 236 students, an increase of roughly 56 members compared with the prior year. Students also praised college‑application supports such as FAFSA and Common App help sessions and senior “gold star access” incentives.
Board members thanked the student presenters and recognized the Grove Express junior board for community fundraising efforts. The board did not take formal action on any of the student presentations.
