The World Renowned Leo Choir’s Christmas Concert was a HUGE Success

“The 2023 concert was the best in my 8 years at Leo! So many people came out to support our boys, friends, supporters, alumni and families were on hand to hear the absolute best choir in the city. Congratulations Kings, you shined last night!!!!”
Principal Rawls

Leo’s enrollment increase has given Choir Director LaDonna Hill more voices to work with—20 has been the number for most performances this year. Under Mrs. Hill’s expert tutelage, that many singers are capable of producing some exquisite harmonies, thus it’s fair to say the Choir has never sounded better.

Some of the highlights:

• A September performance at Holy Name Cathedral for the Catholic Lawyers Guild Installation Mass.

• Participation in a “Save Our Scholarships” rally for the tax-credit scholarship program at St. Sabina in October.

• A four-song set at the eighth annual Leo Scholarship Benefit at the Four Seasons Hotel on Nov. 29.

• A performance for the Chicago Realtors Association at the same venue one week later.

• A Christmas-carol set for the Chicago Bears Holiday Party at Leo on Dec. 11.

• Headline billing as the entertainment for the Alpha Gamma Alpha Sorority gala on Dec. 16.

• A Christmas music lunchtime concert for downtown workers, shoppers and visitors at the 203 N. La Salle Building on Dec. 19.

The Choir acquired a new fan in Barbara McCaskey, wife of Bears Chairman George McCaskey, who chatted with Mrs. Hill for several minutes following the Holiday Party performance. Mrs. McCaskey explained that she directed her school’s choral group during her teaching days. She understands how difficult it is to arrange and coordinate a performance with the charm and skill Mrs. Hill displays, and she made it a point to express her admiration.

“They’re great wherever they perform, but being on their ‘home floor’ really brings out the best in them,” said Principal Shaka Rawls, who has witnessed every Choir performance this year and often stops by the music room on his morning rounds to hear the singers practice.

2018 Scholarship Benefit

2018 Scholarship Benefit

So many words were spoken that we are now out of them.

That’s one way of saying we are beyond-words grateful to all who attended, assisted with and/or supported Leo’s third annual Scholarship Benefit, which took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Chicago on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Mr. Tom Owens, a 1954 Leo graduate, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his extensive philanthropy, on behalf of Leo and most notably as founder of the Cara Program, a social-services agency that provides the training and resources necessary for Chicago’s most disadvantaged people to achieve a fresh start in life.

The Leo Choir—the world-renowned Leo Choir—performed with typical excellence, while students Schron Brown, Marco Gonzalez and Tobias Sample provided an illuminating look at the life of today’s Leo student during a panel discussion with Principal Shaka Rawls and Admissions/Athletic Director Mike Holmes.

And Father Tom Hurley, a friend of Tom Owens and a friend to Leo, nearly stole the show with an invocation that included enough witty lines to keep a stand-up comedian in laughs.

But the evening’s real winner was the Leo Scholarship Fund. Thanks to the generosity of so many supporters, it has never been healthier. And that’s good, because it means more money to fund our recent enrollment increases, which we fully expect to continue as a direct result of all the good things happening at Leo.

“Thank you” seems an inadequate response to your generosity. Please know it’s from the heart, from all of us here at Leo.

God bless.

Dan McGrath, President
Shaka Rawls, Principal
Leo High School

IHSA State Finals Track & Field Saturday May 26

The IHSA State Finals will be at O’Brien Field, on the campus of Eastern Illinois University, 600 Lincoln Avenue, in Charleston, Illinois. Vidal Cargo made the finals in High Jump, and Devin Flakes made the final in the Triple Jump. GO LIONS!

Summer school starts June 11

The summer school terms runs from June 11 to June 29.

Last day of school June 5

Mr. McGrath to receive “Heart of the School Award”

The award will be presented during the End of the Year Awards Assembly on Thursday, May 10 at 2 pm.

Schoolwide celebratory field trip June 4

Constitution test for all US History students May 23

Spring concert at Leo May 17

Come see the world renowned Leo Choir, under the direction of Ms. Hill. 6:30 to 8 pm.

Graduation practice May 11

From 10 am to noon.