Neighbors in the News: Des Plaines schools staff honored for videos, handbooks
Des Plaines School District 62 was among the districts honored at the Illinois Chapter/National School Public Relations Association Communications Contest held recently in Oak Brook. Congratulations to the following District 62 winners:
• Award of Excellence: Kindergarten Handbook & Registration flier published by Dr. Jan Rashid, Mindy Ward and Julie Nykiel
• Award of Merit: 2015-2016 Student and Parent Handbook published by Dr. Ellen Swanson, Terry Ryan and Julie Nykiel
• Award of Excellence: "We Are 62" video produced by Dan Chianelli, Terry Ryan, Pablo Sands and Mindy Ward
• Award of Excellence: "#why TEACH62 The D62s" video produced by Dan Chianelli, Paul Hertel and Pablo Sands
• Award of Excellence: "#why TEACH62 Mary Fink" video produced by Dan Chianelli, Paul Hertel and Pablo Sands
• Award of Excellence: "#why TEACH62 Amy Lewis" video produced by Dan Chianelli, Paul Hertel and Pablo Sands
Entries were judged against criteria of excellence. More than 150 entries were submitted in a variety of categories including annual reports, electronic publications and marketing materials. The association works to strengthen support for Illinois public schools and improve education for students through responsible public relations.
• Matt Gannon was appointed executive director for Northbrook-based Heartland Animal Shelter. Gannon may be new to Heartland, but he has years of experience in the animal world. He previously worked as the hospital manager at Wright Animal Hospital in Des Plaines for three years and as the shelter manager for Red Door Animal Shelter, Chicago, for 10 years. Heartland Animal Shelter's mission is to find permanent, loving homes for homeless animals and promote responsible pet ownership through education, community outreach and collaboration while maintaining respect and compassion for all creatures.
• Arielle Christopher, 17, of Streamwood, was named American Royal Spirit Queen of Queens 2017 during the Northern Illinois Scholarship Program (NISP) Awards Tea held Oct. 9, at American Legion Hall Post 911, in Wauconda. The NISP Awards Tea is held annually to recognize its member's for outstanding achievements and to appoint new organizational titles for the coming year. Christopher was awarded the Queen of Queens title because she had gone above and beyond in service to the community, shown potential as a leader, served as a role model, and demonstrated qualifications that will make NISP grow in the future.
• Oakton Community College freshmen golfers Stephen Bukielski (Schaumburg High School) and Chris Blaha (Conant High School) will head to Mesa, Arizona, in May, to compete in the 2017 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Men's Golf Championship. The Owls golfers qualified for nationals with their performances at the NJCAA Region IV Regional Tournament at Deer Park Country Club, in Oglesby, Oct. 6-8. Bukielski and Blaha competed against 50 other golfers from 11 area colleges in the 54-hole competition. Bukielski placed third overall, shooting 225, and Blaha finished eighth with his score of 231. Both golfers were named to the NJCAA Region IV All-Region First Team.
• Dr. Rebecca Parker of Park Ridge assumed the presidency of the American College of Emergency Physicians during the organization's annual meeting in Las Vegas. She was elected in 2015, by ACEP's council to serve a one-year term. Dr. Parker is senior vice president of practice and payment integration for Envision Healthcare and an emergency physician for Vista Health in Waukegan. In addition, she is president of Team Parker LLC, a consulting group. ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine.
• Submit your 'Neighbor in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com.