Neighbors in the news
Junior history education major Andrew T. Ehrhardt of Schaumburg, senior sociology and education major Dana J. Swanson of Barrington, and sophomore general studies major Michael J. Tisza of Prospect Heights, all students at Augustana College, Rock Island, began a cross-country trek Sunday, Jan. 3, that ended in Holden Village in the Cascade Mountains.
Nineteen students and three faculty members will spend five weeks living and studying in Holden, a tight-knit mountain community with no phones, television or roads connecting to the outside world.
At Holden, the students will take two English classes, a theater class and a class on the history of Holden. They can also take cross-country skiing lessons and a course in the art of letter writing.
• Bhagirath Mehta, an Iroquois Community School fourth grader, captured first place in the District 62 Winter Greeting Card Design Contest with a drawing of a snowman surrounded by animal friends. His design was featured on the 2009 winter greeting card that was sent to community leaders by the District 62 board of education and the superintendent.
Eighth grader, Gabriella Berman, Chippewa Middle School and Alec Paschos, Terrace Elementary School, placed second and third, respectively.
Seventy-seven prekindergarten through eighth grade students entered the annual design contest, which was judged by members of the Des Plaines Arts Council.
• Nicholas Scipione, Glenbard East High School science teacher and former employee of the Schaumburg Township District Library, is the newest member of the library's board of trustees.
A lifelong resident of Schaumburg Township, Scipione began working at the library while in high school and says he will "aggressively work to ensure that our library continues to offer equal access of valuable services to patrons of all ages and backgrounds."
Scipione's accomplishments include a bachelor of science degree in biology and secondary education, a master's of education degree in leadership and administration, community volunteer service as a member of the Knights of Columbus, a leader and mentor for the 2006 Congressional Youth Leadership Council, and an active member of Environment Illinois.