Naperville student awarded Obama-Chesky service scholarship
Naperville resident Leland Pan, a political science major at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was one of three students at the university to receive the Voyager Scholarship, the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service.
Pan plans to work on mitigating burnout and compassion fatigue in social impact organizations, a news release from the university said.
She is currently interning with the Bazelon Law Center for Mental Health and the Disability Culture Lab in Washington, D.C., while pursuing an independent study, the release said.
The scholarship was established in 2022 by former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb.
Only 100 awards are given out nationally each year, the news release said.
The scholarship provides up to $50,000 to use toward education-related expenses, a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior year of college, and $20,000 of Airbnb credits spread out over the next 10 years.
It’s open to students entering their junior year of college at an accredited four year college or university in the U.S. who have demonstrated a financial need and who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or DACA recipients, the news release said.
STEM event being held to inspire girls to go into math, science fields
Three local organizations are teaming up to present Our STEM Era, Powered by Girls, a first-time event to inspire girls and young women to pursue STEM careers.
The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St.
It is organized by Vision 1948, an initiative founded by women technologists and part of the AAUW Naperville Area, as well as the Neuqua Valley High School Girls in STEM Club and the Naperville North High School Girls in Engineering, Math and Science Club.
The event features interactive displays that showcase education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math. It is geared for students in 5th to 12th grades and their families, a news release said.
The event also includes real-life STEM applications by businesses and universities and small group discussions with industry professionals and college students, the news release said.
Some of the sponsors and exhibitors include: EcoLab, Endeavor Health, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Nokia, Dr. Rubin’s Mini-Medical School, Constellation and Fermi National Accelerator Lab.
Illuminate Naperville hosting Arts and Wellness Fest
Illuminate Naperville, a free arts and wellness festival supporting holistic health and wellbeing, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Chicago Marriott Naperville, 1801 N. Naper Blvd.
Participants can shop for essential oils, spa products, jewelry and handmade gifts.
The Illuminate Naperville Mind-Body-Spirit-Arts Festival, which has been held since 2018, also features intuitive readers, Reiki energy healing and free workshops, a news release said. Six workshops will be held on topics such as how to self-hypnotize for success, live psychic numerology readings and personal energy protection.
For more information, go to www.illuminatefestivals.com.
Buikema’s Ace stores raising funds for cancer research
Buikema’s Ace Hardware’s three Naperville locations as well as those in neighboring communities are raising money for cancer research and treatment, company leaders announced.
The hardware store has partnered with City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the country. People travel to the organization’s cancer centers in the Chicago area, California and near Atlanta and Phoenix, according to a news release.
Customers making a purchase at one of the seven local Buikema’s Ace Hardware through Sept. 28 can round up their purchase to benefit the nonprofit, the release said.
The Naperville locations are at 1030 N. Washington St., 963 W. 75th St. and 5035 Ace Lane.
Other participating stores include 1705 N. Main St. and 90 E. Loop Road in Wheaton; 445 Weber Road, Romeoville; and 2240 S. Route 59, Plainfield.
