'Oh, My Word,' Oak Lawn Spartans Nab Third Title In Vocabulary Bowl

OAK LAWN, IL — Oak Lawn Community High School senior Nathan Radloff led the Spartans to its first place title in the Vocabulary.com Vocabulary Bowl. The Spartans earned its title in fall 2023, second title in spring 2024 and not its third for the fall of 2024. Radloff placed second in the world for word mastery.

Oak Lawn English teacher Bill Gerny was named Top Rookie Teacher, placing fourth with student mastery of 14,661 words. Amy Perras, also of the OLCHS English Department, took 23rd place.

“Winning the Vocabulary.com tournament is a testament to the power of words—not just as
tools of communication, but as sparks of creativity,” Perras said. “Vocabulary isn’t confined to the left brain; it’s where logic meets imagination, and where we craft stories, ideas, and innovation. This victory shows how language empowers us to think bigger and express ourselves more vividly.”

Vocabulary.com strives to equip learners with the building blocks of language and close the word gap so that students can achieve at higher levels.

~ Contributed by Jennifer Jepsen, OLCHS Staff Writer