Neighbors in the News

• Mary Ellen Schiller of Inverness, an associate professor of communication at Roosevelt University, was awarded a scholarship from the U.S. Department of State's Fulbright Program to teach mass communications from an American perspective at the University of Lodz in Poland.

Schiller, who has taught in Roosevelt's department of Communication for more than two decades, is the fifth Roosevelt professor to be selected for a Fulbright award in the last two years.

As a Fulbright winner, she will join the University of Lodz's department of Transatlantic and Media Studies where she will lecture on Mass Media and Society: An American Perspective, A Global Context for a semester beginning in 2010.

• Cody Zimmer of Mount Prospect, a Prospect High School senior, currently serves as the state vice president of competitive events for the Illinois Association of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).

The organization seeks to promote personal growth and leadership development through family and consumer sciences education.

Zimmer and Prospect High School Career Technology Center teacher and FCCLA sponsor Amy Collins will be recognized for excellence in leadership at the organization's annual leadership banquet April 9, in Springfield. Zimmer, who is also president of the FCCLA Club at Prospect, will also host the Sectional Leadership Conference in Skokie and colead the State Convention in Springfield with other FCCLA state officers.

• Jonathon Pape, a junior at Hoffman Estates High School, shot a hole-in-one at Hilldale Golf Club Wednesday, Sept. 2, while playing in a match against Fremd High School. Pape hit his nine iron 134 yards on the fourth hole to ace the shot.

• Kaylyn Slevin, 8, daughter of William and Kristyn Slevin, of South Barrington, earned the title of 2009 National American Miss Illinois Junior Pre-Teen through her successfully scored events at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles. Slevin, representing the state of Illinois, will attend the National Pageant to be held in Anaheim, Calif., during Thanksgiving week, where she will have the opportunity to win her share of over $500,000 in cash and prizes.