LTHS Latin Teacher Wins Western Springs VFW Post Award

Some people say Latin is a dead language. It's alive at Lyons Township High School, and the person keeping it alive has just received a major thumbs-up for doing so.

Western Springs Memorial VFW Post 10778 has awarded its "Teacher of the Year" commendation to Laurie Jolicoeur, an Oak Park resident and Lyons Township High School Latin teacher largely responsible for preserving LT's Latin program by encouraging student enrollment. The award is given by the veterans' organization "for outstanding service in the education of our youth."

"[With] a solid foundation for our students, and with faculty like you to inspire them and teach them, our world is better—a better place for them," said post commander Charles Bosko as he presented the award. "So thank you. We rely on you folks."

Also in attendance was post Americanism Chairman Dr. Frederick M. Rodriguez, in full uniform, helping to present the award at LTHS North Campus on Friday afternoon.

"If she was not here to make it interesting enough for the students, you wouldn't have the enrollment," Rodriguez said. "The classics have had their problems, but she seems to be doing a heck of a job.

"We give [the award] to honor educators who are helping to [develop] children… That's important, not just for the community but for our state, and for our nation."

Jolicoeur was pleased, cheerful and laughing throughout the ceremony. She emphasized the continuing importance of Latin to many students, not just for those interested in medicine and law, but for anyone seeking a better understanding of classic literature and modern language.

"In a big school, as a teacher, you are not always known, observed, or recognized," she said. "And while that doesn't matter to me in my day to day life, it's a great honor to be recognized not only by my school, but by an organization that values what I'm up to.

"We don't get these kinds of recognitions very often, if ever, in our career."

VFW Post 10778 is an organization serving veterans of foreign wars from Lyons Township, Hinsdale and the surrounding communities, and currently has approximately 265 members. Founded in 1988, they have awarded their "Teacher of the Year" commendation annually since the 1996-1997 school year.

In addition to her receiving a personal plaque—which she has not yet decided what to do with—Jolicoeur's name will be added to a second plaque listing all winners of the award in an LTHS North hallway.