Neighbors in the News
• Adlai E. Stevenson High School senior Sarah Suh was named a Regional Finalists in the Young Epidemiology Scholars (YES) Competition, a leading public health competition for high school students. She will compete for a college scholarship of up to $50,000 in Washington, D.C., April 23-26.
Suh was selected for her research, which examines the coping strategies of high school students. She surveyed her own school population for the project and hopes her conclusions will help high school leaders create early intervention programs to help teens manage stress properly.
• Wheeling High School senior Amy Lee, was featured as an "Awesome Athlete" in the April issue of American Cheerleader magazine. The editors selected cheerleaders for the honor based on talent, academics, community and school involvement and coach recommendations.
Lee was the first freshman to make Wheeling's varsity cheerleading team. Also as a freshman, she earned a Universal Cheerleaders Association Gold Ribbon and an invitation to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
As a member of Ace Athletics, Lee is a two-time National Grand Champ and High Point Champ at American Cheer Power Nationals. She is an All-Academic Senior Athlete at Wheeling High School in both girl's volleyball and girl's gymnastics and a member of the National Honor Society.
Outside of school, she fundraises for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and has taken part in sending care packages to troops stationed overseas.
• Steve Prorak, advanced placement and honors chemistry teacher at Elk Grove High School, was among 10 outstanding honorees from Illinois who were recognized as "Lincolnland Legends" at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield Saturday, April 10.
In addition to being recognized for his accomplishments, which include exceptional environmental efforts in the area, Prorak was given a $500 scholarship to award to Elk Grove High School.
Students, who wrote the winning essays nominating Lincolnland Legend winners, were also honored. Amber Chatta, an Elk Grove High School senior from Des Plaines, nominated Prorak for this special recognition. Chatta's winning essay qualified her to win a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 over the next four years), which was also awarded at the Lincolnland Legends gala.