The briefs

Parents' Night Out offered Friday

The B.R. Ryall YMCA will offer a Parents' Night Out from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Y, 49 Deicke Drive, Glen Ellyn. Parents may drop off their children who must be toilet trained. The staff will entertain children with a craft, KidZone fun and a movie. The fee is $11 for members, $13 or others. Deadline to register is 4 p.m. today. For details, call (630) 858-0100.

Tips to green up your house

DuPage Environmental Education will hold a free workshop for the community, "Greening Your Home -- Safe Practices Workshop," from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at the center, 799 Roosevelt Road, Building 2, Suite 108, Glen Ellyn. The program will focus on reducing waste, energy conservation, recycling, household hazardous waste, greener/safer cleaning and green shopping. For details or registration, call (630) 545-9710.

Focus on Egypt with Y club

Benno Friedrich of Winfield will present a program "Egypt: Past and Present" at 7 p.m. Thursday at the B.R. Ryall YMCA, 49 Deicke Drive, Glen Ellyn. He traveled there in 2007. The program is sponsored by the Y's Men and Women's Club and is free and open to the community. Reservations are requested by calling Pete Moore at (630) 668-3861.

Peace Builder of the Month begins

West Chicago Community High School District 94 has started a new program of awarding the Peace Builder of the Month. The program originated with John Chisholm, a social studies teacher. The first nominee is Sadie Roberts who was nominated because of her spirit and willingness to help others. Her volunteer efforts include Sunday School, People's Resource center's food drive, PADS winter shelter and Loaves and Fishes in Naperville.

The October nominee is Miguel Quinones who was nominated for his eloquent speech and special actions to help others.

Junior Alejandro Garcia was named November Peace Builder for his ability to help others and his pleasant attitude and politeness.

Class Act awards announced

Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn recently recognized students who demonstrate consistent leadership or citizenship that makes Glenbard South a better school community by presenting them with the Raider Class Act Award.

Recipients include Christie Maruyama, Garrett Padera, Keidi Zagorcani, Labrina Bone, Sarah Cacciato, Julie Eburno, and Megan Kramer.

Students are recognized after being selected through a nomination process reviewed and approved by the Raider Class Act committee.

Glenbard West team excels

The Glenbard West High School Forensics Team excelled both as hosts for 600 competing students and competitors at the Topper Tourney Dec. 15.

Glenbard West award winners include:

Dramatic Duet Acting --sixth place for Luke Stewart and Kristin Perkins;

Extemporaneous Speaking -- Madeline Hall, seventh place; Michael Lopesciolo, sixth place; Kevin McFadden, second place;

Humorous Interpretation -- Curt Toulouse, sixth place and Mark Campbell, first place;

Oratorical Declamation -- Mickie Anderson, sixth place;

Original Oratory -- Phoebe Duvall, second place;

Original Comedy -- Mark Campbell, second place;

Special Occasion Speaking -- Christy Gaylord, second place;

Verse Reading -- Alex McElvain, second place.