Briefs: Wheaton poet takes first
Mark Schmidt, a senior at Wheaton Warrenville South High School, won top placement in the state finals of Poetry Out Loud this week. The national recitation contest is sponsored by The National Endowment of the Arts and The Poetry Foundation. Schmidt won an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., this April as well as a $500 gift to his school's library to purchase poetry books in his name. In Washington, he will compete against winners from each of the other 49 states for a $20,000 scholarship. There will be $100,000 in total prizes. The contest framework for Poetry Out Loud is similar to a spelling bee. The contest starts at the school level and then goes to a regional, state and national level. Students select three poems and memorize them. They are judged on qualities such as physical presence, voice, articulation and accuracy.
Montessori, church in talks
Christ Church in Glen Ellyn's congregation is still unsure about what the future holds for the group. Diamante Montessori School officials closed Friday afternoon on the church's property at 625 Hillside Ave., where the church was based rent-free for the past eight months. The congregation has been situated at the church for about six years. Diamante and Christ Church officials are in negotiations now and the Rev. Saul Ebema said he is hopeful the two parties will work out an agreement within the next two days. The congregation may rent a portion of the church on Sundays or may purchase the building from Diamante if school officials don't get necessary permits from the village this year.
Apple scholar at East
Glenbard East High School senior Keisha Hoye is among 100 members of the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Class of 2008. High school students interested in teaching careers are eligible for the program. Golden Apple Award-winning teachers select the scholars, who must earn a bachelor's degree from one of 53 Illinois participating universities, obtain Illinois teacher certification and teach for five years in a school of need. They must meet GPA requirements, participate in a summer institute and comply with a code of conduct. Scholars receive tuition assistance for four years, $2,000 per summer for participation in institutes and advanced teacher preparation.