Neighbors in the News
• Schaumburg resident Athena Saldanha, 14, was named the winner of the Optimist International Illinois District's Oratorical contest held May 9, in Peoria. Saldanha, who delivered a five-minute speech on the topic, "For Me, Optimism is ...," was awarded a college scholarship of $1,500 for her efforts. She began competing in the contest, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Des Plaines, three years ago. She is the daughter of James and Rita Saldanha.
• Donna Konie, a middle school science teacher at St. Anne School in Barrington, received the Lake County Junior High School Outstanding 2009 Science Teacher of the Year award. For the past 27 years, Konie has organized the St. Anne Science Fair and has overseen over 3,200 science projects.
The award was presented in May by Abbott Laboratories Chapter of the SIGMA XI Scientific Research Society at the Country Squire in Grayslake. Eighth-grader Andrew McAuliff, who submitted a paper that nominated Konie for the honor, his parents, Mari Pat and Tim, and Sr. Ann, principal at St. Anne School, also attend the awards presentation.
• St. Peter Lutheran School teachers and staff celebrated 135 years of combined service. Congratulation to Shannon Fisher, staff office, 10 year of service; Linda Kueker, third grade teacher, 25 years of service; Kristin Drake, kindergarten teacher,10 years of service; Sandy Noble, second grade teacher, 25 years of service; Sybil Kramer, second grade teacher, 40 years of service; Marianna Knea, REACH Gifted program director and teacher, 10 years of service; and Andy Fritz, athletic director and teacher, 15 years of service.
• The Des Plaines Park District welcomed Esteban Cardenas as lead mechanic. Cardenas, of Villa Park, is responsible for the annual preventative maintenance and emergency repairs of all Des Plaines Park District vehicles, trucks, and lawnmowers. He comes to the park district from a Nissan dealership, where he spent more that six years as a certified automotive technician.