During Southland College Prep Charter High School’s homecoming pep rally Wednesday, band director Ron Harrigan was surprised with the news that he is the Illinois Network of Charter High Schools’ Teacher of the Year.
Southland College Prep, located in Richton Park, was the only charter high school to receive “exemplary” status from the Illinois State Board of Education this year. The school has a student population of 585, according to their records.
“We’re a small school; everybody knows everybody and everyone looks out for everybody,” Harrigan told reporters after receiving the award. “We try to not allow any student to fall behind.”
Harrigan’s relationship with Southland College Prep dates back to the school’s founding in 2010. While also teaching at Huth Middle School in Matteson, he served as Southland’s part-time band director for two years. After working as full-time director of bands at Huth, Harrigan returned to Southland College Prep part-time in 2017 as associate band director, becoming the full-time director of bands in 2020.
This latest honor follows the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra naming Harrigan its inaugural Music Educator of the Year in April.
Carl Cogar, Southland College Prep’s director of fine arts, praised Harrigan not only as a talented trumpet player and pianist but also as an inspiring mentor who encourages growth in every student he works with.
“He has a clear vision of what he wants to see kids accomplish and how he wants them to sound,” Cogar said. “And he has that singular focus on helping kids become better—not just better musicians, but better people altogether.”
Cogar shared that he felt like a “proud papa” upon hearing the news of Harrigan’s recognition as the state charter school’s Educator of the Year.
“He is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met, and he has a knack for getting kids to achieve more than they thought they could,” Cogar added.
Born and raised in the British Virgin Islands, Harrigan currently leads more than 100 Southland College Prep students across five main ensembles: marching band, wind ensemble, concert band, jazz ensemble, and percussion ensemble. The school also offers smaller chamber groups, including a bass ensemble, flute ensemble, and clarinet choir.
Earlier this year, the high school’s marching band and Lady Eagles were invited to the WorldStrides Orlando Heritage Festival at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, where the students performed. They have also been invited to perform in the Washington, D.C., Cherry Blossom Parade in spring 2026.
Senior student Heaven Anderson, who plays drums, clarinet, and bass, said Harrigan has been a mentor to her since she started at Southland College Prep.
“He’s just a person I feel like I can go to at any time,” Anderson said. “I can tell him anything, and he can give me advice.”
Harrigan led the marching band ahead of receiving the surprise award and shared that after 18 years of teaching, he “still gets butterflies” watching them perform.
“I’m excited that they get a chance to showcase what they’ve been working on,” he said. “And they’re having fun—that’s what it’s about. Music is something you should enjoy; you should be able to express yourself as an artist and a listener.”
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https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/05/southland-college-prep-ron-harrigan-honor/