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The Soapbox

Loss, and a legacy:

With learning opportunities always in mind, teacher Sue Jones survived one bout of cancer and then organized Kimball Kares Week at Kimball Middle School in Elgin, as a fun way for youngsters to reduce their cancer risk and to raise funds for cancer patients and research. Jones died this week, leaving such dedication as her lasting legacy.

Kick up your heels:

For the champs from the Team Dance Illinois contests, including three local grand champions: Lake Zurich, Neuqua Valley and Vernon Hills high schools. Other winners: Larkin, 3A open dance; St. Charles North, 3A lyrical dance; Wheaton North, 3A open poms; Barrington, 4A open dance; Glenbard North, 4A poms; and Stevenson, 4A lyrical dance.

Peeta!:

Will “The Hunger Games” be the next fantasy franchise craze, ala Harry Potter and Twilight? Well, more than 2,000 screaming fans packed Westfield Fox Valley mall in Aurora Wednesday to see three of the stars of the upcoming movie based on the book series. Pretty cool, too, that one of our local malls was the destination for an eight-city national tour.

Good luck, Wildcats:

We’d been crossing our fingers and toes that the Northwestern Wildcats would do well in the first round of the Big Ten tournament to give them a fighting chance at making it into the NCAA bracket for the first time ever. After the big shooters went cold in the opening round against Minnesota, perhaps what the Cats need today is an extra dose of prayer.

Watch the mail, carefully:

The last full week before the primary can bring both guilt and honor by innuendo. We told of 10th Congressional District Democratic candidate Brad Schneider’s flier making it appear he had President Obama’s endorsement. Whether it praises a candidate or condemns an opponent, read the fine print -- and consider what is not said.

Leaving little doubt:

Felicia Stancil, a Suburban Standout we profiled Thursday, said she gave up varsity high school sports to focus on her BMX career, because “I’m 5-foot-8, so I’m not going to be an NCAA Division 1 athlete.” Seeing what she’s accomplished on the bike, we don’t think her height would have kept her from success in college sports.

And she’s not all thumbs:

By the way, when we took new pictures of Stancil on her bike, she was recovering from a broken thumb from a January fall. She wasn’t doing tricks in our pictures, but she’s still a trouper.

Whatever clicks for you:

Andrew Johnson of Bartlett was just named the new master model builder at Schaumburg’s Legoland Discovery Center. He is one of eight master model builders in the world, and his new job is a dream come true, he says. Imagine playing with Legos -- all the time. For a living.

Dedication:

BMX, Legos, dance, basketball ... Amazing how far a labor of love can take you.

Just this once...:

DeCount Bell Sr. of Grayslake spent $600 on a scratch-off lottery ticket in Grayslake and won $1 million. Other than planning a cruise, Bell and his wife intend only to bank their $600,000 lump-sum payment for retirement. Spending $600 on scratch-offs may have worked this once, but, remember, it’s definitely the exception.

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