Oak Forest High School welcomed hundreds of community members for its first annual Future Bengal Night on Thursday. The event, held in the high school's main gym, brought together students and families from feeder schools, Arbor Park Middle School and Jack Hille Middle School, for an evening of fun, competition, and school spirit.
Future Bengal Night, organized by the Oak Forest High School basketball team, is part of a broader effort to create stronger community connections between incoming students and current high school students. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and school pride by facilitating opportunities for younger students to build relationships with their high school counterparts. Through events like these, Oak Forest High School aims to create a welcoming environment that not only excites future Bengals but also offers opportunities for mentorship and lasting connections that support their transition into high school.
The event featured exciting basketball games, with middle school students having the opportunity to play on the high school’s court, experiencing a taste of what it means to be a Bengal. The evening also featured performances from the Oak Forest High School cheer and poms teams, showcasing their talent and school pride.
The event was free for all attendees.
“This event is more than just an introduction to Oak Forest High School. It’s an opportunity for these incoming students to feel the warmth of our community and to get excited about the journey that awaits them here,” said Michael Boniface, Assistant Principal of Teaching and Learning. “Seeing the middle school students’ faces light up as they played on the high school court was a great reminder of the importance of fostering school spirit early.”
The evening’s success, with a turnout of hundreds of students, parents, and community members, is just the beginning!