Best & Brightest
• D.J. Cropper of Elk Grove Village, a student at Millikin University, Decatur, was honored during the annual Distinguished Faculty Lecture and Honors Convocation program held April 24. Cropper received the Regions Bank Award for outstanding students majoring in business management, economics or finance.
• Colleen Grace Smith of Des Plaines, a 2007 graduate of Maine West High School, received a Presidential Scholarship and a top vocal scholarship to attend Drake University in Des Moines Iowa. As a freshman Colleen majoring in education, she made the Dean's Honor List for the Fall semester.
Smith was also invited to be a member in the Alpha Delta Lambda National Honor Society. To be eligible, students needs a 3.5 or higher GPA and be in the upper 20 percent of their class.
• Katherine Johnson, a senior at Maine South High in Park Ridge, was named a Henry Wells Scholar at Wells College in Aurora, N.Y. Wells Scholars are high school students with a 90 percent cumulative GPA and 1150 or higher in the SATs who are nominated by a guidance counselor or Wells alumna.
• Colleen Grace Smith daughter of Jerry and Eileen Smith of Des Plaines, received a Presidential Scholarship and a top vocal scholarship to attend Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Smith is a freshman majoring in education. She was also invited to be a member in the Alpha Delta Lambda National Honor Society.
• Jessica Lang of Arlington Heights, a member of the Upper Iowa University Phi Beta Lambda organization, made the annual trip to the State Leadership Conference, where she was awarded fifth place for her collaboration with another student on Contemporary Sports Issues for the Local Chapter Annual Business Report.
• Claire Diedrich of Arlington Heights, a senior at Indiana University, Bloomington, is the winner of the 2008 Young Stage Manager Award from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Diedrich is a 2004 graduate of Wheeling High School.
• Michelle Calvert and Laura Sexton, both of Arlington Heights, appeared in Dominican University's April dance production of "Raw Bones and Other Stories" at the campus in River Forest.
• Emily Wolter of Arlington Heights was chosen as a Presidential Scholar at Illinois State University, Normal. The highest award made to incoming students, a Presidential Scholarship provides $8,000 for each of four years, a total of $32,000.
• Melissa Gorski, daughter of Bill and Laura Gorski of Arlington Heights, and a junior majoring in English at Monmouth College, was recently named for listing in "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges."
• Shadrack Bampebuye of Arlington Heights graduated with a bachelor's degree from Elmhurst College at the midyear commencement ceremony held Feb. 10.
• Kathryn Harris of Arlington Heights graduated with a bachelor's degree in music from Elmhurst College at the midyear commencement ceremony held Feb. 10.
• Andrew C. Adair of Buffalo Grove, a student in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University, Evanston, was named to the Dean's List for the 2007-08 winter quarter for attaining a grade point average of at least 3.70.
• Brad Bischoff, son of Hank and Cindy Bischoff, Buffalo Grove, and a student at Columbia College, Chicago, was informed his film, "Eyelids," was accepted into the short film corner at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Bischoff will travel to France for the May 14 festival with longtime friend and producer, Bob Zegler. Both are Buffalo Grove High School graduates.