National Merit finalists at Barrington High School

A group of Barrington High School students is now considered among the country's brightest students.

Barrington Area Unit District 220 school board members took time to this week to recognize some of Barrington's top scholars - this year's National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

"This is a tremendous honor and something to be very proud," said Steve McWilliams, Barrington's principal.

Fourteen seniors earned the semifinalist distinction this year, including Benjamin Altshuler, Aleksander Bapst, Will Chan, Lela DiMonte, George Farrell, Michelle Grube, Megan Karande, Brandon Kleinvehn, David Lilien, Sasidhar Madugula, David Martin, Sam Martin, Woody Rosenberg and Justin Yu.

"It is important to note that these students are all well rounded," McWilliams said as he rambled off the numerous clubs and activities each of them participate in.

Nationwide, 1.5 million juniors in 21,000 high schools participated in the National merit program by taking the Preliminary SAT test last year. Of that group, just 16,000 were named semifinalists.

The students are now in the running to be named a National Merit Finalist.

All winners of Merit Scholarship awards are chosen from the finalist group, which is named in February, based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments.

The National Merit Scholarship Program was started in 1955.

For more information visit nationalmerit.org.

Open house: Barrington area residents will soon have the chance to get a glimpse of the inner-workings of the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District.

Between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Oct. 4, the fire district is hosting an open house at Fire Station One, 400 N. Northwest Highway in Barrington.

The event will allow community members to get an up-close look at the district's fire engines and ambulances, learn more about the district's tradition and meet members of the department.

For more information, visit bcfpd.org.

I bid adieu: After more than nine years as a journalist I am putting down my pencil and saying goodbye to the Daily Herald.

Next Friday is my last day here, but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all the great news tips and story ideas you have given me over the past year.

Officials and community members in the Barrington area have always been open, honest and fair with me, making my job much easier. Covering this area has been a true pleasure.

Even though I will be gone, please keep those story ideas coming. Pass all your ideas and tips along to Assistant City Editor Diana Wallace at dwallace@dailyherald.com.

I wish everyone a fond farewell.