Neighbors in the news: Plum Grove student wins Scripps Regional Spelling Bee
• Avyay Kodali, a seventh grade student at Plum Grove Junior High School, Rolling Meadows, was the winner of the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee, which was held March 29 at Triton College in River Grove.
Avyay, who was declared champ following 15 rounds of challenging words, will compete in the National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland, over Memorial Day weekend.
Corporate sponsors Pepper Construction and Wight & Company will provide Avyay and one parent with an all-expense paid trip to attend the competition.
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Attorney Annette K. Corrigan has joined the Family Law practice group at Schaumburg-based Lavelle Law. Corrigan, who is a highly experienced practitioner, will allow for the continued growth of one of the firm's busiest areas of practice.
"It is rare that we are able to welcome someone with Annette's background to our firm," said Managing Partner Ted McGinn. "She will allow us to expand our footprint in DuPage and Will counties, where she has built a stellar reputation."
Corrigan serves clients across a range of family law matters, including pre-and post-decree dissolution of marriage actions, parentage and child custody. Her career path has also included handling matters involving litigation, employment law, personal injury, real estate, zoning and probate, and estate planning.
She received both her undergraduate degree and J.D. from Marquette University. She is active in a number of organizations, including the DuPage County Bar Association, the Lions Club and Boy Scouts of America.
In 2019, she was elected as a trustee on the College of DuPage board, where she currently serves on the budget and audit committees.
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Community High School District 128 has hired two assistant superintendents. Iman Ellis-Bowen will join the district in the newly developed position of assistant superintendent of Student Services, while Yesenia Sanchez will join District 128 as assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning. Both will begin their positions July 1.
"I am extremely proud and excited to welcome Sanchez and Ellis-Bowen to the D128 team," said D128 Superintendent Denise Herrmann. "Our students, families, and educators will all benefit from their years of educational leadership experience that includes work in diverse school communities. Their expertise will help move our excellent school district to the next level."
Ellis-Bowen currently serves as director of Special Services at Joliet Township High School District 204. She brings more than 21 years of leadership experience in education to District 128.
Sanchez brings many years of teaching and educational leadership experience to District 128. Her experiences have included working with students and families from diverse cultural, academic, linguistic, developmental and socioeconomic backgrounds.
She currently serves as the chief academic officer at North Chicago Community Unit School District 187.
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Signal Hill Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, awarded its 2021-22 Good Citizen Award to Barrington High School senior Abigail Bergan.
Bergan competed in the chapter's essay contest and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for her winning essay.
Bergan, who has maintained a 4.59 GPA while taking 14 AP classes, is a member of the National Honor Society and the Latin Honor Society. She also is a Congressional Award Silver Medal recipient and the only student appointed to the District 220 Equity Team.
The Signal Hill Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is based in Barrington.
• Submit 'Neighbors in the News' items to ntwohey@dailyherald.com.