Hoffman Estates High grad named to USA bowling team
Sarah Wille, a 2014 graduate of Hoffman Estates High School, was named to the Team USA Women's Bowling Team.
As a small child, Wille's grandmother gave her a bowling ball. That gift set her on a path that has included multiple competitions, tryouts, state playoffs, championships, even a visit to the White House. Now Willie can add Team USA member to the list.
Wille was a four-year varsity letter recipient during her time with the Hoffman Hawks, including a senior season that saw the team place third in state. After graduating, she went on to play at McKendree College under Coach Shannon O'Keefe. Earlier this year, McKendree won the NCAA National Bowling Championship.
O'Keefe, who is also a member of Team USA, said she is looking forward to working with Wille as a teammate.
"Sarah is a phenomenal player, with a work ethic like I've never seen," O'Keefe said. "She is a true leader in our collegiate team, and I'm so proud that I also get to now call her a teammate on Team USA."
• District 212 art students had an outstanding showing at the 2018 Triton College High School Art Competition. This year, Leyden was one of six area high schools that participated in the contest. Works of art were submitted in six different categories that include drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, design and sculpture.
The following students were honored for their creativity and skill in the mixed media and photography categories: Shakty Granados of West Leyden received Best in Mixed Media for her skateboard deck titled "Flight of the Bees," while Bartlomeij Saminski, also from West Leyden, won both Best in Photography and Best in Show for his photograph titled "Interior."
A reception and awards ceremony for the artists was held Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Triton College Art Gallery.
• Park Ridge native and Maine South High School graduate Ava Gardner, a freshman guard on Oakton Community College's basketball team, was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association Region IV, Division II, District D All-Region Team, as well as the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference All-Conference First Team.
Gardner led the Oakton Owls in points (14.7), assists (2.4) and steals (2.0) per game. She also averaged 5.8 rebounds per contest on the season.
In addition, center Maddie McTague, Des Plaines, Maine East High School, earned a spot on the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Second Team. The sophomore averaged 10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks during the season.
• U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Simeon P. Ferguson graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.
Ferguson is the son of David S. and Sharon D. Ferguson of Kenosha, Wisconsin. He is a 2013 graduate of a home school program in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He earned an associate degree in 2017 from Christian Life College, Mount Prospect.
• Submit your 'Neighbors in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com.