Best & Brightest

• Rachel Kottke, daughter of Ralph and Sue Kottke of Barrington, was named to the Fall 2007 fall dean's list at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

• Nicholas J. Sarantakis, son Tina and Tony Sarantakis of Inverness, was named to the dean's list for fall semester at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. He also earned membership to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. He is a freshman majoring in telecommunications.

• Nicole Christine Wuerl, daughter of Caren and Daniel Wuerl of Palatine, was named to the Fall 2007 Dean's List at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis. She is a student in the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences and is currently majoring in French. Wuerl is a 2007 graduate of Palatine High School.

• Ashley Valverde, daughter of Tom and Kelly Valverde of Palatine, was named to the Dean's List at Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind., for both the Spring and Fall 2007 semesters. Valverde is a 2005 graduate of Fremd High School.

• Phillip T. Makowski, son of David and Linda Makowski of Deer Park, was named to the to the 2007-08 Deans' List at Ohio Northern University, where he is a sophomore finance major.

• Kara Wintz of Inverness, an equestrian studies/equine business management major at the University of Findlay in Ohio, was named to the fall 2007 Dean's List.

• Erin Brady of Palatine, a student at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, was named to the Fall 2007 Dean's List.

• Christen Musuraca and Amber Worozaken, both of Barrington, Katherine Burgeson of Barrington Hills and Kelly Wedell of Palatine, were named to the fall 2007-08 Dean's List at the University of Dayton in Ohio.

• Zachary C. Schlott, son of David and Suzanne Schlott of Palatine, was named to Dean's List at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where he was a freshman in the College of TEC.

• Michael Alexander Lamberta of Inverness was named to the College of Arts & Sciences fall 2007 Dean's List at Washington University, St. Louis, Mo. Lamberta is a graduate of St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights.

• The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater announced the following students were named to the Dean's List:

Deer Park: Tanya C. Keating, senior, art (fine arts), Lake Zurich Senior High School graduate.

Palatine: Nicole A. Huvaere, junior/biology, Fremd High School; and Ingrid Stensvaag, sophomore, physical education, Palatine High School graduate.

• Jessica Peelo Johnson, daughter of Richard and Jill Peelo of Inverness, graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Valparaiso University in Indiana in December. She is a graduate of William Fremd High School.

• Daniel Johnson, son of Craig and Karin Johnson of Palatine, graduated with his bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in information and decision science from Valparaiso University in Indiana in December. He is a graduate of William Fremd High School.

• Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington named the following students to the fall 2007-08 Dean's List:

Barrington: Lilly Choi and Jess Jacoby.

Inverness: Julie Hoppesch and Erica Sierszulski.

Palatine: Emily Akins, Vicki Beata, Nathan Breitling, Tony Cepuran, Lauren Giannini, Amy Grelck, Kari Irwin, Sarah Kappel, Kristen Piotrowski, Scott Schumann and Scott Swisher.

South Barrington: Katie Rojek.

• Lyndsay Palach, daughter of Wayne and Monica Palach of Palatine, graduated with honors Dec. 16 from Lewis University with a bachelor's degree in special education. Palach is a graduate of Fremd High School and is employed as the transition facilitator by Barrington High School District 220.

• Jenelle Huddleston, daughter of John and Deborah Huddleston of Palatine, was named to the fall 2007 Deans List at the University of Notre Dame. She was a Daily Herald All-Academic Team member in 2007.

• Iowa State University in Ames named the following students to the 2007 fall Dean's List:

Deer Park: Martin Michael Konsor, pre-business, College of Business, (sophomore).

South Barrington: Anthony M. Latoria, construction engineering, College of Engineering, (senior).

• Jessica Lynn Albers of Barrington was named to the fall 2007 dean's list at St. Norbert College, DePere, Wis.

• Valparaiso University in Indiana named the following students to the fall 2007 Dean's List.

Deer Park: Kristen Lyons, junior mathematics and secondary education major.

Palatine: Jennifer Johnson, junior history major; Allison Niebuhr, sophomore geography major; and Patrick Devero, senior history major.

• Erika Yabile of Palatine was chosen as a University Scholar at Illinois State University, Normal, and will receive a University Scholarship which provides $5,000 for each of four years.

• Brittany Mortensen, daughter of Art and Candi Mortensen of Hoffman Estates, and a sophomore at St. Louis University, was named to the fall 2007 dean's list. Mortensen is majoring in physical therapy.

• Sean Rollins of Palatine, a student pursuing an associate of arts in business administration at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, was named to the Fall 2007 Dean's List for achieving a 3.3 grade point average or higher.

• Brooks Barz of Palatine graduated Dec. 15 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, with a bachelor's degree in construction.

• Matthew Hoynoski of Barrington and Stephanie Bacino of Palatine were named to the fall 2007 Dean's List at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa.

• Nicholas Goodman of Barrington, a student at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, participated in the School of Theatre Arts' recent production of William Shakespeare's comedy "Love's Labors Lost."

• John Ulrich of Palatine, a sophomore majoring in physical education K-12 at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, was named to the fall 2007-08 Dean's List.

• Joel Vena of Palatine earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior at the end of the fall semester.

• The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced the following students were awarded degrees at the Dec, 16 commencement ceremonies.

Barrington: Jeffrey O'Connor Maddrell, bachelor's degree in mathematics; and Christopher John Shaw, bachelor's degree in history.

Palatine: Dante Rubin West, Bachelor's degree in political science.

South Barrington: Salvatore Bucaro, bachelor's degree in industrial engineering; and Ashley Lynn Pringle, bachelor's degree in education.

• Kansas State University in Lawrence named the following undergraduate students named to fall 2007 honor roll. Honor roll criteria vary among the university's academic units.

Barrington: Aaron Alexander Jensen, senior, architecture, Barrington High School graduate, son of Walter and Eloyce Jensen.

Palatine: Erica Nichole Woods, senior, education, Palatine High School graduate, daughter of Doreen Willis.

• Kelly A. Paice and Katherine K. Washburn, both of Barrington, were recently named to the fall 2007 Dean's List at Boston University.

• Theresa Lentz, daughter of Robert and Sally Lentz of Palatine, recently served as a volunteer during a math competition hosted by Valparaiso University's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Lentz is a junior mathematics and art major.