Briefs: Sexual abuse awareness

To commemorate Sexual Abuse Awareness Month, Elgin Community College is offering a number of free events. On Monday, individuals can take free and confidential HIV/AIDS tests in room 126 of the college's Instruction Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Testing results are available the same day. On Thursday, "Tough Guise: Violence, Media and the Crisis in Masculinity," will be shown at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the college's Advanced Technology Center Auditorium. The film examines the relationship between images of popular culture and the social construction of masculine identities in the United States. Throughout April, representatives from the Kane County state's attorney's office also will be available to discuss the law and how to prevent sexual violence. Sexual abuse survivors also will discuss their stories. Sexual Abuse Awareness Month is sponsored by the Community Crisis Center; Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual Students and Supporters; (GLOBES) and the Student Life Office. Call the Student Life office at (847) 214-7370.

New principal at Richmond:

An Addison educator who also has taught in Elgin and Carpentersville is on tap to become principal at Richmond Elementary School in St. Charles, District 303 officials announced Friday. The school board is expected to approve the hiring of Guillermo Heredia on April 14. He would start July 1. Prior to coming to St. Charles, Heredia spent five years as an elementary school principal and three years as an assistant principal for Addison Elementary District 4. He has bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Toccoa Falls College, Ga., and Aurora University, respectively. He previously taught elementary and high school classes in Elgin Area School District U-46 and District 300 in Carpentersville.

Underage drinking meeting: As part of Alcohol Awareness Month this April, community residents are invited to attend Renz Addiction Counseling Center's underage drinking town hall meeting, from 8:45 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at South Elgin High School. Attendees will hear representatives from the Kane County coroner's office, Kane County state's attorney's office, the Illinois Alcohol Drug Dependence Association and the Renz Center on how they can prevent underage drinking and learn prevention strategies. Contact Renz Center marketing director Deb Howe at (847) 742-3545, ext. 236; or visit www.renzcenter.com.