Three South Elgin U-46 schools win app contest

Three South Elgin schools within Elgin Area School District U-46 were honored this week for generating the most downloads on the district's free mobile app.

Fox Meadow Elementary School, Kenyon Woods Middle School and South Elgin High School received trophies through the "U46Connect" challenge.

The mobile app offers students, parents and community members direct links to the district and schools' websites, highlights top stories from social media feeds, and access to the district calendar, lunch menus and Infinite Campus to view grades.

"The app is user friendly and easy to navigate," said Madeleine Villalobos, a parent and co-chair of the U-46 Family & Community Engagement Committee. "I like how quickly you can get information at the district and school level."

To download the app, search for "School District U-46" via Google Play or the App Store. To learn more about the app, visit edline.net/pages/SDU46.

Rotary Club awards scholarships:

The Rotary Club of Dundee Township awarded 19 area high school students $37,250 in scholarships during its annual scholarship banquet earlier this month at Randall Oaks Golf Club and Banquets.

Scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000. The 2016 recipients represent five area high schools.

Winners are:

• Dundee Crown - Alyssa Cassiere, Sydney Faler, Michael Holmes, Jocelyn Kuri, Deniz Namik, Jaida Olvera, Jazmin Pacheco, Taylor Schmidt, Krystina Strezpek, and Angela Tripp.

• Jacobs - Alexandra Lorenz, Jacqueline O'Connor, Timothy Randl, and Dylan Subrin

• Marian Central - Monica Juarez and Ashley Le

• St. Edward - Amy Al-Salaita and Kimberly Grant

• Westminster Christian - Olivia Zahara

To qualify, students go through a rigorous application and interview process, said Craig Zieleniewski, acting club president and principal of Gilberts Elementary School in Gilberts.

"Several Rotarians serve on the committee and they are extremely impressed with all of the hard work, activities and service projects these students have (done)," he said. "The night is about rewarding these kids for the hard work and also rewarding the parents."

The club has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors living within the township since 1981. Scholarships are funded through memorial contributions and donations.