Two Naperville students help publish books
Two Naperville residents were part of the Benedictine University team that produced and published two children’s books on Amazon.
The books, “Cheer Up Charlie” and “Bailey the Bee’s Big Adventure,” were part of a semester-long assignment for a communication class at the Lisle-based school.
Naperville residents Kaitlyn Caravello and Ariana Poe were among the students who worked on the books. Other Benedictine students included: Janelly Benitez, Chelsi Blair, Tiffany Busch, Rob Eber, Austin Gascoigne, Nick Ginnan, Sophia Mattimiro, Matti Oshin, Trea Pierce, Sam Short, Emily Sinn and Leslie Toran.
Working under the direction of associate professor Chris Birks, the students wrote, illustrated and designed the books, which are available to buy as eBooks or soft cover books.
District 204 students receive video awards
Indian Prairie School District 204 students recently won several honors at the 26th annual High School Video Festival, which was sponsored by the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Midwest Media Educators Association.
Neuqua Valley High School was awarded nine top honors, Metea Valley High School earned three and Waubonsie Valley High School earned two.
The local students were among more than 830 high school television students from 42 high schools across northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and northwest Indiana competing in the festival.
Neuqua Valley senior Christine Corbin received the Student Television Award for Excellence in the short-form nonfiction category and Megan Kosak was awarded the $1,000 Lucas Palermo Scholarship from the Midwest Media Educators Association.
Locals graduate from Illinois Wesleyan University
Several Naperville residents were among the 410 students who graduated May 5 from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.
Summa cum laude: Kevin Butler, Hispanic studies and secondary education; Christina Fitsalos, business administration.
Cum laude: Derek Kerbs, accounting; Breanna Metry, nursing; Luke Roth, English, literature and secondary education.
Other local graduates were Rachel Osoba, nursing; Edward Sanchez, computer science; Samantha Svoboda, accounting; Richard Vail, accounting; Logan Vlk, business administration.
Neuqua’s Iyer awarded Coca-Cola Scholarship
Neuqua Valley High School senior Rekha Iyer won a national Coca-Cola Scholarship award to students who excel academically and are active in their schools.
Among other things, Iyer helped draft brain injury legislation voted into law by the General Assembly that defines parameters for a student’s return to the classroom after a concussion.
She named social studies teacher Cat Bishir as her most influential educator. Bishir received the Coca-Cola Foundation’s 2019 Joseph B. Whitehead Educator of Distinction Award.
Naperville law office forms new firm
The Law Offices of Cindy K. Campbell, based in Naperville, and the Long Law Office of Chicago have announced a new partnership and the launch of the firm, Campbell Long.
The firm has offices in Chicago and Naperville and deals with all aspects of estate and family law, including probate, wills, trusts, guardianship, divorce and mediation.
SkillsUSA Illinois State Conference
Indian Prairie School District 204 had 39 students who advanced at the state competition for SkillsUSA, a career and technical organization for those in training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations and health occupations.
Waubonsie Valley took home 13 gold medals, five silver and four bronze.
Neuqua Valley was awarded three gold medals, three silver and eight bronze. Metea Valley won one gold, one silver and one bronze medal.
First-place winners advance to the national competition in June.
Student recognition awards
The Accessible Community Task Force and Councilman Paul Hinterlong presented Student Recognition Awards May 7 to five students for their involvement with special needs students at their schools and community.
The award winners were Dominykas (Dom) Mockapetris from District 203 Connections Transition Services; Jackson Mayor from District 204 STEPS Program; Emma Gatz from Metea Valley High School; Taylor Wessel from Naperville North High School; and Zoe Koulos from Naperville Central High School.
University of Illinois Springfield graduates
Three Naperville residents graduated May 11 from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Alfredo Carigga graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s of science degree in computer science. Breanna Goodman graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s of science degree in computer science. Brad J. Plunket graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration.
Waubonsie teacher honored
Waubonsie Valley High School health teacher Millie Shepich was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Illinois School Health Association.
This award is presented to an individual who has had a significant effect on the organization throughout his or her career.
