Wheeling man named a hero for Habitat
• Oakton Community College alumnus John Bendewald is a Habitat for Humanity Illinois Hero. Bendewald received the Marketing/Public Awareness Volunteer Award at the Habitat for Humanity Illinois Conference in Springfield Saturday, Nov. 14. The bicycling enthusiast from Wheeling received the honor for his recent 1,000-mile-long trek on his hybrid mountain-road bike that took him from northern Illinois all the way to Duluth, Minnesota, before finishing back in Wheeling. Bendewald put on magic shows at each stop, raising money and awareness for Oakton's Habitat for Humanity Club and Habitat affiliates. Bendewald, now a psychology major at Cornell College, Iowa, also served as the keynote presenter at the state conference, appropriately themed "Magic for Habitat."
• Des Plaines native Nicole Jovicevic, a senior at Illinois Wesleyan University, has been named a 2015 Student Laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois for her exceptional academic achievements and extracurricular activities. The Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Awards are presented to seniors from each of the state's four-year universities and colleges. Jovicevic attended the Student Laureate Convocation, where she received a $1,000 educational grant. A political science major, Jovicevic will graduate in December. In the future, she hopes to explore her abilities in recruiting, leadership and talent development, or perhaps industrial psychology.
• The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police designated Scott Eisenmenger, a lieutenant with the Buffalo Grove Police Department, as a Certified Eligible Police Chief through the association's Police Chief Certification program. The designation signifies that Lt. Eisenmenger has met the highest standards of competency and conduct for his profession. To maintain certification status, police command staff must meet ongoing requirements and apply for recertification every five years.
• The Palatine Public Library District Board of Library Trustees has appointed Daniel Rodgers to fill a board vacancy. Rodgers is currently on the board of directors for HandsOn Suburban Chicago and Lumity, two nonprofit organizations serving the area. He has more than 25 years of management and senior management experience and holds a bachelor's degree from John Carroll University, Ohio, and a master's degree from Roosevelt University. Rodgers and his family have lived in Palatine for more than 30 years. He was sworn in Nov. 11.
• Vanessa Defina, representing the Bartlett Hawks Youth Football League in Bartlett, is a finalist for the 2015 Team Mom of the Year Award, presented by USA Football and CVC/MinuteClinic. She is one of 10 women, all representing high schools or youth football organizations coast to coast, eligible for the grand prize package that includes a $5,000 equipment grant for her league, a $500 gift spa certificate and a Team Mom jersey. The 10 women represent the millions of moms who support football programs across the U.S. with their time, effort and emotion. The 2015 Team Mom of the Year Award winner will be announced in December.
• U.S. Air Force Airman Kenny F. Ortiz, son of Christine Ortiz and Fausto Ortiz, of Des Plaines, has graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas. The airman completed an eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training, earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Ortiz is a 2015 graduate of Notre Dame College Prep, Niles.
• Send your 'Neighbors in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com.