Trojan Marching Band Impressive Under the Lights

Congratulations to the members of the 2021-22 Trojan Marching Band for a fabulous second performance on Friday night, and the first in full uniform this season. The energy, spirit and musicianship of the Trojan Marching Band was on full display for the community, as the DGN Football team beat ranked Willowbrook High School and secured a 2-0 start.

Appreciation is extended to the volunteers who provided the Marching Band with water during the game, assisted with moving Front Ensemble instruments, and photographed the band's performances.

CLICK HERE for a gallery of additional photos from the September 3, 2021 performance.

CLICK HERE for a full gallery of photos from this season.  

DGN Band Alumnus Wins Gold In Thrilling Triathlon Finish

The DGN Fine Arts Department extends CONGRATULATIONS to North High alumnus Kendall Gretsch for her thrilling Gold Medal win in Tokyo this weekend.

Gretsch made her Paralympic debut at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, where she became the first American athlete to win biathlon gold at either the Paralympics or Olympics. She left PyeongChang with two medals (both gold).

With her triathlon win in Tokyo, Gretsch becomes only the fifth American – and third U.S. woman – to win gold at both the summer and winter Paralympic Games.

CLICK HERE to view NBC Sports coverage, and video of the exciting finish.

Gretsch, a 2010 graduate of Downers Grove North High School, played clarinet in the DGN Bands and was a member of the District 99 Honors Band. Following her time at DGN she attended Washington University in St. Louis, studying Biomedical Engineering and developing a 3D-printed prosthetic arm that cost just a fraction of the price of similar prosthetics and was noticeably lighter in weight. 

In the summer of 2012, Gretsch who was born with spina bifida, made her first run at a triathlon at a camp in Chicago. For the triathlon, she had to learn how to use a hand cycle for the biking portion. She acquainted herself with a racing wheelchair for the running events. Upon completing her first race, there was no doubt about it. She was hooked

“You talk to a lot of people who do triathlons, and they’ll say if you do the first one, it kind of hooks (you) from there,” she said. “That’s what happened with me.”

Congratulations Kendall; the entire District 99 community is immensely proud of you!

Trojan Marching Band Makes 2021 Season Debut

Congratulations to the members of the 2021-22 Trojan Marching Band for a terrific debut performance this weekend! Despite the high heat and humidity, band members provided an energetic and captivating display of musicianship and spirit.  

Special appreciation is extended to the members of the Class of 2022, and their families, as North High celebrated the contributions of our seniors prior to the Pre-Game Show and Kick-Off.

Appreciation is extended to the volunteers who provided the Marching Band with water during the game, assisted with moving Front Ensemble instruments, sold merchandise at the DGN-FOFA table, and photographed the band's performances.

CLICK HERE for a gallery of additional photos from the August 27, 2021 performance.

CLICK HERE for a gallery of photos featuring the Class of 2022 and their families.