Teen wins national Technology Award for STEM project

• Gabriella Lui, a 14-year-old student from Quest Academy, Palatine, won a top prize in the Broadcom MASTERS, a national STEM competition for middle school students, founded and produced by the Society for Science & the Public.

Lui won the first place Technology Award for her overall mastery of science and engineering as well as her project, giving her $3,500 to spend on a STEM summer camp experience.

For her project, Lui designed a fully automated real-time Presence Detection Safety System, for a school environment, using radio frequency identification technology. In addition to being judged on her project, Lui and the other finalists competed in hands-on challenges that tested their abilities in STEM, critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaboration.

In her free time, Lui enjoys many styles of music including hip-hop and classical and dabbles in photography and video editing.

• Ms. Illinois Senior America Kimberly Albrecht, of Hawthorn Woods, was named a Top Ten Finalist at the Ms. Senior America competition in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Oct. 18. The lyric coloratura soprano competed in talent, philosophy of life, private interview and stage presence over the course of three days in front of live audiences at the Superstar Theatre, Resorts Casino Hotel.

Albrecht enjoys singing a wide range of styles and has performed professionally for over 30 years. She is soprano soloist with Jazz Pizazz, Bravissimo Vocal Ensemble and the Barrington Village Singers. She has been heard on WDCB Radio and has recently performed at the Barrington White House, The Garlands, Parker Playhouse and 210 Restaurant. Albrecht has also performed, produced and directed musical theater and opera shows for the former Elgin Opera.

Albrecht also directs the Atonement Children's Choir and was cherub choir director at Barrington United Methodist Church for a decade. She was also previously communication director at Barrington United Methodist Church and a TV writer-producer. She holds an master's degree in radio, TV and film from Northwestern University, and a bachelor's degree in theater arts/English from the University of Michigan, where she founded the Women's Glee Club.

• Andrew Sangar was appointed a Student Advisory Trustee for the Bartlett Public Library. His term began in October and will run through Aug. 1, 2019.

Sangar will be a nonvoting position on the library board and will not be allowed to attend executive sessions. He will however report on items from the Teen Advisory board meetings to the trustees, and then he will relay the happenings of library board meetings to Teen Advisory board members.

"He will do a wonderful job as the Student Advisory Trustee," said Youth & Teen Services Manager Ruth Anne Mielke.

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