East Leyden counselor honored for work with students

• Alicia Funes, a counselor at East Leyden High School, was recognized by the 2019 College Board Recognition Program for her work with students. Funes was nominated for her exemplary work as a school counselor by Karen Ritter, an assistant principal at the school.

The College Board Recognition Program highlights the work of innovative, result-oriented high and middle school counselors who exemplify excellence and commitment to students' academic success and access to post secondary choices.

Funes, who has been a counselor at the East Leyden campus for four years, says she is honored to receive the recognition.

"Leyden students are so special, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to make an impact on their future," said Funes.

In order to be eligible for the program, the nominee must provide direct guidance and counseling services for a caseload of students and their families. The individual also must be a master's degree-level educator serving as a full-time counselor in a public, private or independent school in the United States.

• Streamwood resident Mary Jane Garvey was named the retail manager at Hartland Bank and Trust Company's Schaumburg office, 321 W. Golf Road. Having advanced her banking career through several retail and mortgage banking roles, Garvey is responsible for ensuring value and top-of-the-line service to bank customers, as well as retail employee development and training.

Garvey has more than 38 years of banking experience. She is active with the Streamwood Chamber of Commerce and the Streamwood Women's Club.

Heartland Bank and Trust Company is an independently owned community bank headquartered in Bloomington, with offices throughout Illinois. The bank offers a complete line of financial services to commercial and retail customers.

• Morgan Stanley announced that Roberto Barbanente of Inverness, first vice president, financial adviser in its Wealth Management office in Chicago, was been named to the firm's Pacesetter's Club, a global recognition program for Financial Advisors who, within their first five years, demonstrate the highest professional standards and first class client service.

Barbanente has been with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management since 2008. The Chicago native holds a bachelor's degree from DePaul University.

• Four District 54 students qualified for the national level in Reflections, a PTA writing and fine arts competition. The national level qualifiers are:

Karina Shah, fifth grade, Campanelli, qualified in the literature category for her entry "A Hero Can Be Anyone."

Aditya Kashyap, third-grade, Lincoln Prairie, qualified in the musical composition category for his entry "Heavenly Heroes."

Airi Ito, seventh grade, Mead, qualified in the musical composition category for her entry "Hero."

Jacy Fu, sixth grade, Campanelli, qualified in the visual arts category for her entry "Ordinary Heroes."

The winners of the national competition will be announced in June.

Other District 54 students received honorable mentions at the state competition. They are: Film Production: Allison Capota, "Heroes in My World," seventh grade, Lincoln Prairie. Literature: Alan Krzepisz, "Heroes Around Me," fifth grade, Collins. Musical Composition: Sanjana Kashyap, "Heroic Horizons," eighth grade, Lincoln Prairie. Visual Arts: Aoi Takata, "My Teacher," fifth grade, Collins; Anya Chauhan, "Bapu: Father of Modern India," seventh grade, Keller; and Tamya Podlin, "My Mom," eighth grade, Addams.

The theme of the 2018-19 Reflections program was "Heroes Around Us."

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