Robert Pape named Des Plaines' Iroquois School principal

• Robert Pape was named Iroquois Community School principal at the June 18 District 62 board of education meeting. Pape will replace longtime principal Michael Amadei, who was appointed as the interim assistant superintendent for Human Resources. Pape most recently served as the principal of Allen Elementary School in Aurora.

Pape began his teaching career having taught general music to kindergarten through sixth grade students in Cicero School District 99 for five years. He went on to become an assistant principal at Addison School District 4 in 2005, later becoming a principal in 2008. Pape continued his career as principal in 2010, in Bensenville District 2 before joining East Aurora District 131 in 2012.

Pape, who graduated from Roosevelt University with a bachelor's degree in music education, received a master's degree in educational leadership from Aurora University, where he is currently pursuing his doctoral degree.

• Brandon Christopher, son of Lee and Cindy Christopher and a junior at Streamwood High School, recently attended the 83rd annual session of the American Legion Illinois Premier Boys State held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

Founded in 1935, American Legion Illinois Premier Boys State is a respected educational program of government instruction for high school students. The program is a weeklong event where delegates, known as "citizens," design a mythical 51st state, complete with governmental bodies, and elected public officials. Applicants for Boys State must have completed one semester of grade 11 and must have one or more semesters in high school to complete after attending Boys State.

Christopher's registration fee to participate at American Legion Illinois Premier Boys State was sponsored by American Legion Elgin Post 57.

• Anthony VanDerHeyden, son of Paul and Cathy VanDerHeyden, was honored with the Goethe Prize for Excellence in the Study of German Award from Marquette University's Klingler College of Arts and Sciences. VanDerHeyden, of Hoffman Estates, recently graduated with a triple major in business economics, finance and German. He was recognized for his superior accomplishments in the study of the German language, works of German culture and sustained service to the German Studies program.

• Jillian Escobar of Hanover Park, was awarded a fellowship worth $5,000 by the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi - the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Escobar is one of 57 recipients nationwide to receive a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship.

Escobar received bachelor's degrees in speech pathology and audiology, and piano performance from Western Illinois University, Macomb. As a Phi Kappa Phi Fellow, Escobar will pursue a Doctor of Audiology degree at Northwestern University, Evanston.

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