Fundraising strong in Palatine District 15

Shortly before school ended, two Palatine Township Elementary District 15 schools tallied up the results of their yearlong fundraisers.

Willow Bend School held an assembly to award three alumni with scholarships. The money was raised through the Rolling Meadows school's first-ever Cash for College campaign. Students paid 25 cents to dress up according to themes like hat day and beach day. They held a bake sale and were encouraged to perform extra chores to earn money.

Rolling Meadows High School senior Jessica Santamaria received $1,000. She'll attend Harper College in the fall and hopes to become a midwife. Classmate Madeline Urban, who will study international business at St. Louis University, won $500. Finally, Fremd High School senior Jin Sung Yoon won $500. He wants to be an orthopedist and will attend the University of Illinois. The school based selection on transcripts, essays and financial need.

"It was very successful," Assistant Principal Rachel Bland said. "Everyone worked hard to help these students."

At nearby Plum Grove Junior High, everyone was excited to learn the school was named the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Pennies for Patients top fundraiser in Illinois for the third consecutive year.

Plum Grove raised more than $12,000 through its efforts. During the three-week-long fundraiser, students took on faculty in a basketball game and participated in a whipped cream pie-eating contest and dessert walk. Rolling Meadows Police Officer Terry Cappelen donated "Mickey D's with OC" for a raffle in which three students got to eat McDonald's with him.

Plum Grove has raised more than $75,000 for the society in the past seven years. Top fundraising schools receive prizes such as computers and sports equipment.