Saturday Soapbox: Bus-driving track star in Hanover Park, St. Charles, Mount Prospect music stars

Pursuing her passion:

Kudos to Emma McGowan's soccer friend for suggesting she return to her passion — track. The Hanover Park school bus driver, won two gold and three silver medals in the 45-49 age bracket last August at the World Masters Track and Field Championships in Lyon, France.

Developing Latino leaders:

Congrats to Gloria Trejo, the principal at West Chicago's Pioneer Elementary School, who is among just 14 educators nationwide invited to participate in a yearlong superintendents' leadership academy. The program aims to equip aspiring Latino superintendents to lead districts where 20 percent or more of students are Latino.

Never to forget:

Nothing could be as solemn as the Walk to Remember in honor of lives lost to premature birth, stillbirth or neonatal complications. This year's event, organized by the SHARE Program at Edward Hospital in Naperville, will be held on Oct. 10. A day of quiet reflection on the loss of the most innocent of lives.

Big men on campus:

Kudos to Northern Illinois University, which made Huskie Stadium available for the St. Edward football homecoming game Friday due to unplayable field conditions at the Green Wave's home field. It will be a drive for fans, but it will be a special memory.

Striking a chord:

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra opens its 65th season this weekend, continuing a long and impressive run that has helped nurture a love of classical music in local audiences. The season's theme, “American Connections,” is just one of many reasons to be grateful for this suburban treasure.

Take a hike:

How blessed we are with nature's wonders. Just to start the list, kayaking the Chain O' Lakes waters and hiking the state park and Volo Bog. Where do you go to explore?

Roadwork endurance award:

One group of people to salute for another long road construction project this summer: Residents and businesses on Salem Drive between Golf and Bode roads in Schaumburg. The road's been worked on since March, much of the time restricted to one-way traffic. That was always the village's plan, but still, it's been a long time to wait for normal.

New heights in music ...:

Pop superstar Gwen Stefani put two suburban natives on her team for the television talent show “The Voice.” Jeffrey Austin, a St. Charles North High School grad, and Hanna Ashbrook. a Hersey High grad from Mount Prospect, will get Stefani's guidance. Good luck to them both in their bid for the $100,000 first-place award and recording contract.

... and science:

Tavis Reed is only 17, but the Illinois Math and Science Academy student already has a provisional patent for the production of cellulosic ethanol, a new generation biofuel made from plants that would be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than what is available now. Here's hoping he gets help to drive his research so he can make the world a better place.

Remembering William Thayer:

Few made their marks in the Northwest suburbs better than William Thayer, who died in Rolling Meadows Tuesday at age 89. For 49 years, he was a fixture at Arlington Park in a variety of capacities, and a blessing to the community.