Neighbors in the News: Coach DeLeon now head of Saint Viator girls' varsity soccer
• Byron DeLeon was promoted to head coach of the Saint Viator girls' varsity soccer team.
This past summer, DeLeon was also promoted to the position of head coach of the boys' varsity soccer team after serving as the head coach of the boys' JV soccer team as well as assistant coach of the boys' varsity soccer team.
DeLeon has previously coached for Saint Patrick High School, Notre Dame High School for Girls, Mustangs FC, Lyons SC, Maine East High School, and has 16 years of experience as the head coach of the International Tribe Soccer Club Boys U18 team.
"I've been coaching soccer for 20 years and I'm grateful to be so deeply integrated into the Saint Viator soccer program," DeLeon said. "My goal is not just to help shape these young men and women into skilled athletes but to help them build character and gain confidence on the field and in the classroom."
DeLeon will take over as head coach of the girls' varsity soccer team in the spring.
• Corey Olson, head football coach at Palatine High School, was named the Chicago Bears High School "Coach of the Week" for Week Four.
The Bears will make a $2,000 donation to the Palatine High School football program in his honor.
Recently, Olson's Pirates overcame a 17-13 deficit with 12 minutes left in the game to win 20-19 vs. Maine South, despite playing without one of their top receivers who missed the game due to an injury. Maine South was ranked No. 1 in the AP Class 8A poll at the time.
Olson, who has been head coach since 2017, is also a special-education teacher at Palatine. He played college football at Western Illinois University.
• The Woodland District 50 Board of Education was recognized by the Illinois Association of School Boards for its exceptional governance practices.
Woodland was one of 35 Illinois school districts to earn the School Board Governance Recognition for their effective governance behaviors and their commitment toward obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively govern the district.
The focus of governance recognition is on full board development and participation, rather than on individual members. Boards of education that meet the necessary requirements are recognized for the two-year honorary distinction.
• Pratiksha Bhattacharyya from Maine West High School and Darin Cheng from Maine South High School were honored by the District 207 Board of Education as "207's Best" in the area of academic achievement during its September meeting.
Pratiksha has consistently been challenged in the most rigorous courses offered in District 207 and excels in all of them. She earned National Merit Commended status and is a member of National Honor Society. Pratiksha participates in Link Crew, COACH Tutors, Key Club, Math Team, Medical Club, the Westerner (school newspaper), the Indian Student Association and the Math, Science and Social Science Honor societies.
Darin has received numerous awards and is highly involved at Maine South. He earned the regional award in the Midwest Chinese Speech Contest during his freshman year and was a science department award-winner in AP physics as well as a department award in AP chemistry. Darin has been involved in Mathletes, Model UN, Southwords (school newspaper), the National Honor Society, Chinese National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and serves as president of Chinese Club.
• Submit 'Neighbors in the News' items to ntwohey@dailyherald.com.