Neighbors in the News
• The District 62 Board of Education named Elgin resident Colleen White principal of Cumberland Elementary School, in Des Plaines. White, who has led Washington Elementary School in District U-46 since 1999, will replace Leah Kimmelman. In November, Kimmelman was appointed principal of Chippewa Middle School.
An 11-year administrative veteran, White holds a bachelor's degree in education from Northeastern Illinois University and a master's degree in educational administration from Northern Illinois University. As principal of Cumberland, she will establish an open and trusting relationship with parents, students, staff and the community.
• Prospect High School junior Thomas Duebner earned a spot playing trumpet with the 2010 Rosemont Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Duebner is First Trumpet with the Prospect Marching Knights directed by Chris Barnum, a former Cavalier himself.
• Katie Lundell, a sophomore general studies major from Buffalo Grove; Kendra Swierczek, a senior geography and Afrticana studies major from Palatine; and Marcus Gerber, a junior philosophy and Scandinavian major and Brandon Stenger, a sophomore general studies major, both of Glenview, will be among the 40 Augustana College, Rock Island, students spending 10 weeks studying in the West African countries of Ghana and Senegal beginning in March. The two countries, both important regional and continental leaders, were chosen for the global learning experience because of their diverse culture, linguistic and topographical contrasts.
The students will attend classes four days a week covering the topics of Aftrican history, literature, music and art through reading assignments, guest lectues and field trips. Students also volunteer at a school and orphanage, spend a weekend with a host family and visit and attend classes at local universities.
• John Hersey High School senior, Catherine O'Donnell, captured first place in Original Oratory at the Sectional Speech meet held Saturday, Feb. 13, at Elk Grove High School. Her original speech on the narcissism of Americans
earned two first and one second place votes to make her Sectional Champion. O'Donnell now advances to the IHSA State Tournament in Peoria Feb. 19-20.