Palos East students win art, writing contests
Violet Sugg, a fourth grader in Kim Pempek’s class at Palos East Elementary School in Palos School District 118, has been named the winner of the Palos Heights Vehicle Sticker Contest.
The contest was organized by the Palos Heights Women’s Club for Palos Heights student artists in grades 3-5.
Violet was recognized by the Palos Heights City Council in April and her artwork will be displayed on all vehicle stickers in the city.
“I am so proud that Violet won the contest,” said Palos East Art Teacher Ms. Ruth Augspurger, who helped organize student participation in the contest at the school. “I’m also proud that we have this opportunity to share the skills of our District 118 artists with the Palos community.”
Gabriel Chowaniec, a fifth grader at Palos East Elementary School, has been named a winner of the Scholastic Storyworks Magazine writing contest.
Gabriel, who is a student in Cathy Casey’s fifth grade classroom, was named one of only five winners nationally for the December 2023/January 2024 competition.
Garbriel’s submission for the nonfiction story “The Shattered Land,” “showed a strong understanding of the text along with the ability to author a well-organized and engaging response, said Storyworks Magazine editor Lauren Tarshis in a letter to Palos East Principal Rob Szklanecki.
Tarshis noted that Gabriel’s winning entry demonstrated a commitment to excellence that reflects the quality of classroom enrichment supported by Casey and the Palos East Elementary staff.
Casey said that Gabriel is a hard worker whose skills as a writer are deserving of the recognition.
“Gabriel works hard to produce excellent work, and he is very deserving of this award,” she said. “I am so proud of him and so happy he is being recognized by Scholastic Story works for his writing.”
Homewood names Acquah assistant village manager
The village of Homewood has hired Terence Acquah as its new assistant village manager. In this position, Acquah will play a critical role in the success of municipal operations both from an internal and external perspective and serve as a critical function in assisting the village manager with daily operations, helping to accomplish the broader goals of the village board and community, according to a news release from the village.
“Homewood brings back the best memories from my childhood,” Acquah said. “I grew up playing baseball here and loving the community. I am excited to collaborate with staff and leadership on new ideas, programs and initiatives. There are so many great developments and projects happening. It’s a great time to be in Homewood!”
A native of Lynwood, Acquah comes to Homewood from Bolingbrook, where he was superintendent of public works, and brings additional municipal experience from the village of Olympia Fields as the assistant public works director, the city of Milwaukee as the economic development specialist and the city of Peoria as neighborhood enhancement specialist.
JJC’s Farmer selected for 2024-25 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship
Joliet Junior College Executive Vice President Dr. Yolanda Farmer has been selected for the 2024-25 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship.
The Aspen Institute College Excellent Program fellowship prepares the next generation of community college presidents who can lead institutions to higher and more equitable levels of student success.
Lockport’s Bates serves with production team at UW-Whitewater
Lockport’s Michael Bates, a theatre major at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was one of the students involved in university’s production of “The Sweet Science of Bruising.”
Bates served in the role of prop designer as a part of the production team for the show in April.
University of Alabama Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society April inductions
Manhattan: Kalie Korpitz; Palos Park: Izzy Piper
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