Neighbors in the News: Rolling Meadows woman named Illinois Mother of the Year
• Rolling Meadows resident Rachel Ternstrom was selected by the nonprofit American Mothers Inc. as the 2022 Illinois Mother of the Year.
Ternstrom, who is the 72nd woman in Illinois history to hold this honor, is the mother of two daughters.
Along with honorees from states across the United States, Ternstrom will be recognized in April at the 87th National Convention of American Mothers, Inc. One honoree will be named the National Mother of the Year during the convention.
"Now, more than ever, people are seeing the work that goes into motherhood and truly recognizing the resiliency of mothers. It is an honor to be an organization that has built a legacy network of moms across the nation while sharing their stories of strength and inspiration," said Joyce Stevens, president of American Mothers, Inc.
Ternstrom is a graduate of DePaul University and, for many years, worked in the recruiting and sales industry before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She has a passion for interior styling and home decor.
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Frank Portera, an attorney with Schaumburg-based Lavelle Law, was appointed to the board of directors of Gerry's Cafe, a coffee shop in the planning stages that will employ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Gerry's Cafe is in the midst of raising funds to open its coffee shop in the Arlington Heights area.
Additionally, Portera has been appointed to serve on the Arlington Heights zoning board of appeals. The zoning board of appeals reviews all requests for variations from zoning regulations for projects that are not already being reviewed by the Plan Commission. The board also reviews applications to appeal the interpretation of regulations by the zoning administrator.
Portera is a graduate of Marquette University and Marquette's Law School. At Lavelle Law, he devotes most of his practice to clients in the business, real estate and bankruptcy practice groups.
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Megan Black has joined Elk Grove Village-based MC Machinery Systems as creative marketing assistant.
A subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Corp., MC Machinery Systems is a North American supplier and servicer of fabrication and milling equipment, including Mitsubishi lasers, press brakes, EDMs and automation systems. MC Machinery serves industries including aerospace, mold and die, job shops, medical and energy.
"Megan will be a great asset to our marketing team by helping support our design efforts and bringing a new creative edge," said MC Machinery Marketing Coordinator Mary Bopp.
Black, a Wheaton native, earned a bachelor's degree in graphic design and Japanese from North Central College, Naperville. She has several years of marketing and graphic design experience.
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Erin L. Prinzing, a Mundelein High School junior, was selected to become a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. The society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship and community commitment.
The announcement was made by James W. Lewis, NSHSS co-founder and president.
"We are proud to provide lifetime membership to young scholars to support their growth and development," said Lewis. "We help students like Erin build on their academic success by connecting them with learning experiences and resources to help prepare them for college and meaningful careers."
• Connor Brennan of Lake Villa was part of a team of Milwaukee School of Engineering students who competed in the Associated Schools of Construction Student Competition in Reno, Nevada, in February. The team took third place in the National Preconstruction Competition, which was sponsored by PCL Construction.
Brennan is an architectural engineering major at the school.
• Send your 'Neighbors in the News items to ntwohey@dailyherald.com.