Morton 201 Foundation Dinner & Theatre Night Returns After Two-Year Hiatus

On Friday, April 22, the Morton 201 Foundation hosted a Wizard of Oz Dinner & Theater Night at Morton East in Room 200. The event was hugely successful and raised over $6,000 for the Pay It Forward Scholarship Fund. This was the Foundation’s third Dinner & Theatre Night and the first after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.

Guests were treated to a delicious, play-inspired specialty drink (Ruby Red Sipper) and a four-course meal prepared by Morton East and Morton West Culinary Arts students followed by VIP seating for the performance in the historic Chodl Auditorium.

During the event, a quartet of student musicians played during appetizers and dinner and guests enjoyed a private meet and greet with the four main cast members: Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.

Attendees also had the opportunity to take souvenir photos with an Emerald City backdrop provided by Jose H. Ramirez from Gabriel Studio. His wife, Araceli, donated the beautiful centerpieces which were later raffled off.

CrumbCrushers & Lulu's donated 6 play-inspired cupcakes and cookies to the event which were raffled off as well as 10 dozen "Thank You" sugar cookies to all of the students who were involved with the dinner and performance. Congratulations to Piedad Moreno and Daniel Morales for winning the cupcakes and cookies, respectively.

The Morton 201 Foundation would like to thank the following for purchasing tables at the event:

Cicero Voters Alliance
Town of Cicero
United Scrap Metal

The Morton 201 Foundation would also like to sincerely thank the following for helping to make our Wizard of Oz Dinner & Theatre Night such an amazing success:

Culinary Arts instructors Chef Courtney Bay, Chef Karl Benford, Chef Yves Chambaz and Chef Lindsay Ryan as well as the Morton East and Morton West Culinary Arts students for their hard work, hospitality and dedication in preparing the meals served and ensuring that our guests had a warm and welcoming experience.

Morton East Theatre Director, Tyler Lubinus and the Morton East Theatre Department.

Students Elliot Andries, Mike Ridyard, Saira Torres and Zoe Zuro for the beautiful music provided during appetizers and dinner.

Maria Magnus Toledo and Chelsea Goolsby-Eberhart from CrumbCrushers & Lulu’s for donating the beautiful cupcakes and cookies for our raffle as well as the cookies for all of the students involved in the Wizard of Oz dinner and performance.

Jose H and Araceli Ramirez from Gabriel Studio for providing keepsake photos and the lovely centerpieces for our event.

Lastly, the Morton 201 Foundation would like to give special thanks to

JoAnne Rzadzki, East Assistant Principal, the Maintenance Department, IT Department and AV Department for turning the music classroom into a beautiful banquet room.

Superintendent’s Secretary Connie Chapman

District Fine Arts Director Ricardo Garcia

East Culinary Teacher Blake Lindholm

East Graphics Teacher Bridget Michau

East Food Service and Betty Tinken

East and Freshman Center Maintenance 

East CTE Lead Teacher Colleen Del Monaco 

Kelly Bartosz for providing transportation for West students

Joe Collins Athletics and Activities Director

West Teacher Kendall Ruff

The Foundation’s next Dinner & Theater Night will take place in November at Morton West. For more details, please follow us on Facebook or Instagram @Morton201Foundation.

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