'Carnival for Carter' raises $2,500

Einstein Academy founder Cathryn Ilani reports that last weekend's Carnival for Carter Kettner raised $2,500 for the 6-year-old's Huntley family.

Carter passed away last week, after a long and brave battle with cancer. After learning of his death, students of the school refused to abandon plans for the carnival-style fundraiser that they'd been planning for weeks.

Project Backpack: Elgin Community College is serving as a "Project Backpack" site to help needy students get school supplies.

Folders, notebooks, loose leaf paper, pencils, pens, scissors, glue sticks and crayons can be dropped off from now through Aug. 1 at ECC's main campus, 1700 Spartan Drive in Elgin and the college's downtown campus, at 51 S. Spring Street.

Sponsors of the event from ECC are Office of Student Life; Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society; Faculty Association; Admissions Office; and Work Force Transitions Office. Community sponsors are the United Way of Elgin; Community Crisis Center; School District U-46; Community Unit District 300; and Kane County Regional Office of Education.

Supplies will be distributed Saturday, Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ECC's Spartan Events Center to students who provide proof of residency or school enrollment in District 300, District U-46 or ECC for fall 2010; limit one backpack per student.

For information, contact ECC's Office of Student Life at (847) 214-7370.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author to speak at IMSA: Richard Rhodes, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in nonfiction for his book, "Making of the Atomic Bomb," will serve as Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy's commencement speaker June 5.

The private academy reports 177 students are eligible candidates for graduation.

The student speakers are Michael Mirski of Naperville and Gabriella Heller of Highland Park. IMSA President Dr. Glenn "Max" McGee and Steven T. Isoye, chairman of the IMSA board of trustees, will present diplomas and academic medallions to graduates.