The 74th Annual Delavan High School Carnival took students and visitors on a global adventure as this year’s theme, “Flight 2026: On a World Tour,” transformed the school into a celebration of international culture and class spirit.

A highlight of the evening was the crowning of Carnival royalty. Junior Hunter Lusher, son of Joshua Lusher and Nicole Hartzler, and senior Addison Fisher, daughter of Jason and Emily Fisher, were named this year’s king and queen, receiving the honor before a cheering crowd of classmates, family, and community supporters.

Each class selected a unique destination to showcase throughout the event. Freshmen brought the sights and flavors of Jamaica to life, sophomores highlighted the vibrant culture of Brazil, juniors embraced the traditions of Italy and seniors transported attendees to Paris, France. The selected destinations were reflected in both the popular Lip Sync Contest performances and the themed food booths.

Competition was fierce throughout the night. The seniors captured first place in the Lip Sync Contest, followed by the sophomores in second, freshmen in third and juniors in fourth. Seniors also claimed top honors in the food booth competition, with juniors placing second, freshmen third and sophomores fourth.

In addition to earning bragging rights, the winning classes received extra funding allocations based on their placements, providing an added incentive for participation. The annual carnival once again showcased the creativity, teamwork, and school pride that have made the tradition a community favorite for 74 years.

CHICAGO — Baseball fans across the city have plenty to celebrate this fall as both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox have secured spots in the 2026 Major League Baseball playoffs, marking a historic season for Chicago baseball. The two clubs clinched postseason berths on the same day, making 2026 just the fourth time both franchises have reached the playoffs in the same season and the first time they have officially punched their tickets on the same date.

For the Cubs, the journey to October was completed with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field on Sept. 24. The win secured Chicago’s second consecutive postseason appearance and capped a season defined by perseverance, resilience and standout performances from both veterans and emerging stars.

The clinching game showcased many of the ingredients that have fueled the Cubs’ success throughout the season. Veteran starter Matthew Boyd delivered seven strong innings, holding Miami to one run, while Seiya Suzuki launched a game-tying home run. Nico Hoerner later provided the decisive blow with a go-ahead RBI single that sent the Wrigley Field crowd into celebration mode.

At the center of the Cubs’ remarkable season has been outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, whose breakout campaign has placed him among baseball’s elite players. In the clinching contest, Crow-Armstrong stole his 40th base of the season, becoming just the seventh player in MLB history to record a 40-home run, 40-steal season. His blend of power, speed and defensive excellence has helped transform the Cubs into one of the National League’s most dangerous postseason contenders.

What makes the Cubs’ accomplishment even more impressive is the adversity they overcame along the way. Injuries repeatedly challenged the pitching staff, forcing manager Craig Counsell and his club to rely on depth and determination. Rather than falter, the Cubs continued to find contributions throughout the roster, maintaining one of the league’s strongest lineups while playing stellar team defense.

Meanwhile, on the South Side, the White Sox completed an inspiring turnaround of their own by securing their first postseason berth in five years. Their return to October baseball follows several difficult seasons and gives Chicago something it has rarely enjoyed: a citywide playoff celebration featuring both major league clubs.

For Cubs veterans such as Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson, clinching a playoff berth is only the first step. The clubhouse celebration following the Cubs victory was filled with champagne and excitement, but the players made it clear their sights are set on a deeper postseason run and ultimately a World Series championship.

As October approaches, Chicago finds itself at the center of the baseball world. The Cubs are battling for favorable Wild Card positioning, while the White Sox are preparing for their own postseason challenge.