Thornton Fractional's Nicole Vega

Nicole Vega, The Times Illinois Player of the Year, practices her kicks at T.F. North High School. Vega had 55 goals in leading Thornton Fractional to 14 wins.

Thornton Fractional's Nicole Vega is The Times Player of the Year for girls soccer

Freshman Nicole Vega had 55 goals in leading Thornton Fractional to 14 wins this season.

Thornton Fractional's Nicole Vega is The Times Illinois Girls Soccer Player of the Year

Thornton Fractional's Nicole Vega is The Times Player of the Year. Her 55 goals led area scorers.

Mount Carmel's Jason Gasser scores against Libertyville

Mount Carmel's Jason Gasser scores what turned out to be the winning run of the Class 4A state championship game

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The new Crown Point Community Library opened in October.

The Connors play on their swing set in the backyard

Vanessa and Kevin Connor play with sons Brayden, left, and Logan on the backyard swing of their Tinley Park home.

Connor brothers Brayden and Logan play on their slide

Brayden, rear, and Logan Connor on the backyard slide of their Tinley Park home.

Kevin, Vanessa, Logan and Brayden Connor at their Tinley Park home

The Connors just returned from a week's vacation at Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. From left are Logan, Vanessa, Brayden and Kevin Connor.

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Mt. Carmel fans react as Malik Carpenter makes the final out at first base for a Mt. Carmel Championship

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Mt. Carmel fans cheer their team as the game ends with a victory

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Mt. Carmel's Beau Filkens tags out Libertyville's Conner Simpson at third base in the fourth inning.

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Mt Carmel's Jerry Houston as he crosses home plate with Mt. Carmel's first run of the Game in the sixth inning

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Mount Carmel players celebrate while raising the 4A state championship trophy and saluting their fans.

Mount Carmel pitcher Jeremy Kravetz

Mount Carmel Pitcher Jeremy Kravetz delivers against Libertyville.

Mount Carmel celebration

Mount Carmel players celebrate while raising the Class 4A state championship trophy.

Kids learn to ride safely at Dyer Bike Parade

Brynlee Wenglarz, 1, of Schereville, rides in the second annual dyer Bike Parade on Wednesday at Pheasant Hills Park. The event featured tips about bike safety and more.

Kids learn to ride safely at Dyer Bike Parade

Dyer police Officer Jerry Patrick talks about bike safety Wednesday before the Dyer Bike Parade.

Jeremy Kravetz has been the workhorse of the Mount Carmel staff

Mount Carmel pitcher Jeremy Kravetz.

Gasser scores against St. Rita

Mount Carmel's Jason Gasser crosses home on a double by Tom Hayes in the sixth inning of Saturday's game. Gasser has been a three-year starter on both the football and baseball teams.

Mount Carmel's Jaosn Gasser has been a staple in the outfield for three years

Mount Carmel's Jason Gasser has been a three-year starter for the Caravan. He has been an integral part of the program's success.

Mount Carmel win the Class 4A Reavis Sectional

Mount Carmel player hold up the sectional plaque in celebration of winning the Class 4A Reavis Sectional.

Mount Carmel's Tom Hayes drives in the go-ahead runs

Mount Carmel's Tom Hayes leads off second base after hitting the go-ahead double in the sixth inning Saturday in the Class 4A Reavis Sectional final. His hit came after he got new life on a dropped popped foul. He drove in Jerry Houston and Jason Gasser.

Jason Gasser crosses home plate in a four-run sixth inning

Mount Carmel's Dave Dobrinich, left, congratulates Jason Gasser after Gasser scored on Tom Hayes double during the Caravan's sixth inning rally Saturday in the Class 4A Reavis Sectional final. Mount Carmel won its sixth sectional title with a 5-4 come-from-behind win.

Mount Carmel's Jason Gasser tries to rob St. Rita player of an extra-base hit

Mount Carmel's Jason Gasser attempts to catch a drive by St. Rita's Anthony Ray in the seventh inning of Saturday's Class 4A Reavis Sectional final. Ray got a double and scored later, but the Caravan won 5-4.

Mount Carmel's Marko Boricich sturck out eight in the Caravan's win over St. Rita

Mount Carmel starting pitcher Marko Boricich struck out eight in six innings of work.

Mount Carmel players admire Class 4A Reavis Sectional plaque

Mount Carmel players Austin Dodson, left, Declan Dennehy, center, and Jordan Lillybridge admire the Class 4A Reavis Sectional championship plaque. It was Mount Carmel's sixth sectional title.

The Mount Carmel baseball team poses with sectional plaque

The Mount Carmel baseball team beat St. Rita 5-4 Saturday to win the Class 4A Reavis Sectional. The Caravan pose with the sectional plaque.

Mount Carmel baseball team wins Class 4A Reavis Sectional title

Moun Carmel's Jason Gasser, left, Dave Dobrinich, center, and Jerry Houston run off the field Saturday moments after Gasser's game-ending catch gave the Caravan a 5-4 win over St. Rita and the Class 4A Reavis Sectional title.

Jason Gasser celebrates after making the game-ending catch

Mount Carmel's Jason Gasser catches a drive to center to end the game as the Caravan beat St. Rita 5-4 Saturday to win the Class 4A Reavis Sectional.

Jerry Houston steals third base

Mount Carmel's Jerry Houston steals third during the Caravan's sixth-inning rally on Saturday. it was part of a double-steal in which Jason Gasser stole second. Both would score on Tom Hayes' double.

Mount Carmel coach Brian Hurry questions a sixth-inning call

Mount Carmel Coach Brian Hurry disputes a call with the home plate umpire during the Caravan's sixth-inning rally on Saturday.

Mount Carmel's Ako Thomas slides in under the tag

Mount Carmel's Ako Thomas slides safely into home plate during the Caravan's sixth-inning rally on Saturday.

Faithful offer prayers for fallen, wounded veterans

World War II veteran Bernard Keltyka, 98, and daughter Kathy celebrate the Memorial Day Field Mass on Monday at St. John/St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Hammond.

Faithful offer prayers for fallen, wounded veterans

The Rev. Jerome Stack, right, talks with Vietnam War veteran Stan Bogdanowicz on Monday before the start of the Memorial Day Field Mass in Hammond.

Mt. Carmel shortstop Jerry Houston

Mt. Carmel shortstop Jerry Houston has been a four-year starter for the Caravan.

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Mount Carmel's Jerry Houston drives a single in the first inning against Illiana Christian. The Oregon recruit is batting .322 with four doubles, four stolen bases and 16 RBIs.

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Illiana Christian's Kyle VanKalker fields an ground ball and throws out the Bremen hitter during Friday's Class 3A Illiana Christian Regional semifinal.

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Illiana Christian's Cody Koehler swings at a pitch during Friday's Class 3A Illiana Christian Regional semifinal.

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A hit by Illiana Christian's Joey Skrbina eludes Bremen's David Strom, left, and Nick Theilgaard during Friday's Class 3A Illiana Christian Regional semifinal.

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Illiana Christian's Kyle VanKalker takes a swing on Friday. The Vikigns fell 3-1 to Bremen in one semifinal of the Class 3A Illiana Christian Regional.

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Bremen second baseman David Strom, left, tags out Illiana Christian's Josh Van Beek to end the game has Bremen won 3-1 on Friday in one semifinal of the Class 3A Illiana Christian Regional.

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Illiana Christian pitcher Josh Van Beek, center, takes a toss from first baseman Caleb Jonkman, left, to force out Bremen's Sean Grant at first base during Friday's Class 3A Illiana Christian Regional semifinal.

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Illiana Christian's Russell Dorsey is tagged out at home plate by Bremen's Ryan Lynch during Friday's Class 3A Illiana Christian Regional semifinal. Bremen won 3-1.

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Illiana Christian pitcher Josh Van Beek struck out seven on Friday afternoon, but the Vikings lost 3-1 to Bremen in one semifinal of the Class 3A Illiana Christian Regional.

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Illiana Christian's Cody Koehler hauls in a drive to left field in Friday's 3-1 loss to Bremen.

Railroad fans get on track in Homewood

People enjoy a ride on Canadian National railroad's Little Obie during Homewood Railroad Heritage Day on Sunday.

Railroad fans get on track in Homewood

A young boy views a model train display at the Homwewood Railroad Heritage Day activities Sunday.

Prairie State College holds 54th commencement ceremony

The 2013 graduating class was the first at Prairie State College to walk down the aisle in eco-friendly caps and gowns when the college held its 54th commencement ceremony Saturday. Each graduation gown was made from approximately 29 post-consumer plastic bottles.

Prairie State College holds 54th commencement ceremony

Some 400 students received associate's degrees and professional or technical certificates in Prairie State College's 54th graduation ceremony on Saturday.