Best & brightest

• Heather Siobhan Betz, daughter of Jeff and Joann Betz of Arlington Heights, a 2007 graduate of Buffalo Grove High School, has been awarded the Frances Wicks Scholarship this fall. Heather is an International Relations/ Politics major at Carroll University in Waukeshaw, Wisc. She will be graduating in June, 2010.

• Kristin Nieminski, daughter of Lawrence and Sherry Nieminski of Rolling Meadows, graduated Sept. 14, from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She is also a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and of Rolling Meadows High School.

• Kathryn Berry, daughter of Rebecca and Russell Berry of Buffalo Grove, has been named to the Dean's List of the College of Arts and Sciences at Loyola University of Chicago. As a sophomore, Kathryn is majoring in Social Work and Sociology. She is a 2007 graduate of Wheeling High School.

• Emily Thompson, daughter of Bill and Liz Thomspson of Buffalo Grove was named to the dean's list at Bradley University in Peoria.

• Brian Patrick Kurcz, son of Edward and Patricia Kurcz, of Arlington Heights, graduated magna cum laude from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology.

• Alexa Bennet of Arlington Heights is the winner of the annual Community Bankers Association of Illinois Shazam Scholarship. Alexa is attending the University of Iowa, Iowa City.