Erica Cupuro named Des Plaines' Central Elementary principal

• With over two decades of experience in District 62, Des Plaines resident Erica Cupuro will become the next principal of Central Elementary School this fall. Cupuro was formally approved at the May 20, board of education meeting.

Currently the student services coordinator, Cupuro has held various roles in the district including that of building psychologist, psychology department chairwoman and curriculum coordinator. During her time in District 62, Cupuro not only completed her internship at Central school, years later she served as the psychologist for the school.

Cupuro earned a bachelor's degree followed by a specialist's degree in school psychology from Illinois State University. After working for 10 years, she completed her administration certification in educational leadership from National Louis University, and most recently received an endorsement for Director of Special Education from Aurora University. In addition, she was trained in curriculum-based measurement with Dr. Mark Shinn at the University of Oregon and worked under Dr. William Pelham at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic on behavior modification for students with Attention Deficit Disorder.

• Joseph Doner, a graduate of Prospect High School, was selected by the US-UK Fulbright Commission to experience the United Kingdom on a three-week summer program. The Fulbright Scotland Summer Institute on Technology, Innovation and Creativity is hosted by the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Strathclyde. Students will be led by faculty from both institutions and senior figures from the private and public sectors.

Participants explore Scotland's culture, history, and creative and technological industries. The Summer Institutes form part of the US-UK Fulbright Commission's work to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange.

The US-UK Fulbright Commission selects participants through a rigorous application and interview process. In making these awards, the commission looks not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills and a plan to give back to the recipient's home country upon returning.

• The Carol Stream Woman's Club recently awarded $1,000 college scholarships to Katherine Blakeley of Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream and Kelly McGee of Bartlett High School. Both girls have impressive academic history, exceptional community service records, extracurricular activities and work commitments.

Katherine and Kelly both plan to attend University of Iowa. Katherine will double major in human physiology and music performance, while Kelly will double major in accounting and finance.

• Alex Cappello of Hoffman Estates joins Sedgebrook in Lincolnshire as finance director. Cappello, who is replacing the retiring Barbara Smolenski, most recently worked with Exelon.

"His accounting and finance background set him above other candidates, and his warm and compassionate nature was something that appealed to us right away," said Dan Harrington, executive director of Sedgebrook in Lincolnshire.

"We're happy to have someone with Alex's talent to continue leading our finance department," said Harrington.

• Submit your 'Neighbor in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com.