Neighbors in the news: Three fine arts students honored as '207's Best'

• The Maine Township High School District 207 board of education honored three students as "207's Best" in the area of Fine Arts during its November meeting.

The students recognized were Adeline Bateman from Maine South, Daelynn Campos from Maine West and Daniel Cho from Maine East.

Bateman excels in a variety of fine arts offerings at Maine South. In theater, she has taken on the responsibilities of a backstage crew member as construction crew head, assistant technical director and assistant stage manager for the musical and fall play.

As a clarinetist, Bateman is a two-year section leader and part of the equipment crew for marching band. She is also a section leader for the alto section in choir. Upon graduation, Bateman plans to study environmental advocacy to work with large corporations to eliminate waste.

One of Campos' greatest passions in the fine arts is photography, and she has applied that passion through serving as the photo editor of Maine West's student newspaper. She is also a leader in the Fashion and Cosmetology Club, and a member of Maine West Color Guard, Link Crew and National English Honor Society. She hopes to go into photography and potentially arts education as a career.

Cho participated in a variety of fine arts courses, as he has been in Drama for four years, Chamber Choir for two years and East's a cappella group, Audacity in Blue, for three years. He is a Schuler Scholar, is in the Gifted Lyceum Program and has taken a rigorous AP course load.

Through a competitive audition process, Cho was selected to participate in the Illinois Music Education Association District and All-State honor choirs. He was also chosen as a cast member for the 2022 Illinois High School Theatre Festival production of "Cabaret" and earned honors, being named to the Illinois Music Education Association's District 7 Honors Choir.

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Thomas J. Canale of Elmhurst, a wealth management adviser and founding partner of Canale Financial Group and managing director of the Northwestern Mutual Rosemont office, was the recipient of a Distinguished Teaching Excellence Award from Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies.

Each year since 1988, Northwestern University School of Professional Studies honors three recipients, one each from the undergraduate, graduate and professional development faculty, who their students have nominated.

Canale has been an instructor in the Certified Financial Planner-Certification Education Program since 2013.

"Tom is passionate about comprehensive financial planning and the impact it has on clients," said Alison Fyhrie, a financial adviser and a former student in his Introduction to Financial Planning class.

"He is a straight shooter, who genuinely cares about developing the next generation of leaders. It was his belief in me, before I ever believed in myself, that led me to the career where I now can empower my clients, mostly women, to dream big through courageous conversations."

A 1995 graduate of Marquette University with a bachelor's degree in finance, Canale is a Certified Financial Planner professional, Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Special Needs Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriting.

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Vanessa Jimenez, manager of the Bear Family McDonald's Restaurant in Niles, won a Ray Kroc Award, an accolade that recognizes the top performing McDonald's restaurant managers globally.

McDonald's independent franchisees and regional management nominate restaurant managers for the Ray Kroc Awards to recognize those who have led their team to outstanding business performance, reflect the culture and values of the McDonald's system, and reinforce McDonald's purpose to feed and foster communities.

Jimenez, who has been working for McDonald's for 13 years, was presented the award at The Bear Family Home office by David Bear, owner/operator and president of Bear Family Restaurants.

• Christian Diaz-Santos of Waukegan, a student at Sewanee University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, was named a 2021 Sullivan Foundation Scholarship winner.

Diaz-Santos' scholarship is valued at $1,000, and is renewable annually for four years.

Awarded each year since 1934, Sullivan Scholarships celebrate incoming freshmen at 23 partner colleges and universities who possess exemplary character and integrity along with a passion for serving others.

"It is an honor to recognize these students for their commitment to serving others above self-interest," said Steve McDavid, president of The Sullivan Foundation.

"These scholarships are not awarded based on financial need, nor academic or athletic achievement. They exist to support students, who have consistently worked in a hands-on manner to improve their communities, continue their education."

• Submit 'Neighbors in the News' items to ntwohey@dailyherald.com.