Dist. 54's Amanda Stochl Illinois PTA's Principal of Year

Amanda Stochl, principal at District 54's Lincoln Prairie School, Hoffman Estates, was chosen as the Illinois PTA Outstanding Principal of the Year.

"I cannot express how honored I feel to have been chosen for this award," Stochl said. "Strong parent-school partnerships are the foundation of student success."

Stochl, who was nominated by the Lincoln Prairie Parent Teacher Student Association, will receive a plaque during a presentation at the Illinois PTA Convention on April 2, in Springfield.

• Gregory Bublitz, director of Special Services, East Maine School District 63, has been awarded a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies by Loyola University Chicago. Bublitz, who joined District 63 in 2004, as a special education resource teacher, also holds a bachelor's degree in English and communication from Loyola University; a master's degree in special education from Northeastern Illinois University; and a master's degree in writing from DePaul University. He has served in his current position since 2012, overseeing all special education staff and services for District 63 and its seven schools.

• Joshua Schumacher has been named principal at Hoffman Estates High School, effective July 1. Schumacher, an assistant principal at the school for the past five years, will take over the position from Jim Britton, who earlier this year was named District 211's director of human resources. Schumacher, who began his teaching career in 2002, as a biology and physical science teacher at Hoffman Estates High School, holds a bachelor's degree in biological science from Illinois State University; a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Olivet Nazarene University; and a master's degree in educational administration from Northern Illinois University. He is currently working on his doctorate in curriculum and instruction through Illinois State University.

• Larry Reiner Buffalo Grove Park District board commissioner, was named the winner of the 2015 Mike Cassidy Commissioner Community Service Award presented by the Illinois Association of Park Districts. The annual award is presented to a commissioner whose volunteer service to his or her community emulates the vision and voluntary efforts demonstrated by Mike Cassidy; to improve the quality of life for those in his community. Recipients of the Commissioner Community Service Award have demonstrated the highest example of community service, personal integrity and ingenuity.

• Lisa Palmer, a Bartlett native and member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team, was one of three Warhawks to garner All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference accolades for their performances during the 2015-16 season. A senior forward, Palmer, who is an integrated science business major, was tabbed first team, picking up the second all-conference award of her career after earning honorable mention in 2014-15. She played an integral part in helping the Warhawks reach the NCAA Division III Tournament.

• Send your 'Neighbor in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com.