Accomplishments

• Divya Gulati, of Darien, has been accepted into the People to People Student Ambassador Class of 2008. People to People Student Ambassador Programs provide international educational opportunities for students in grades 1 through 12. People to People’s foundation is that people can make a difference where government cannot.

Divya is the first student to be selected from her district. Her selection is based on consistent academic excellence along with teacher recommendations and a strong desire to learn about other cultures. Divya will represent the best of her community by traveling to Canada for 14 days during the summer of 2008. Venturing abroad, student ambassadors will return home with a greater sense of what it means to be a good neighbor. 

Other than gaining friendship and education, she will gain deeper understanding of the culture, politics and history of the destination country. Divya has also earned the President’s Award, solely based on her academic record in the fifth grade at Maercker School. Divya was also selected to participate in the Explorer Test.

• Six young adults received scholarships from The First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove on Sunday, Aug. 5. These scholarships are awarded annually to students attending college. 

The Marge Lee Scholarship: Emily Hudson, a senior at Indiana University majoring in political science, and Andrea Simnick, a sophomore at The University of Illinois, majoring in Speech Communication. 

The Stewart Conger Scholarship: Kelly Hires, a junior at DePaul University majoring in theatre arts and Adam Tanguay, a sophomore at Northwestern University majoring in radio, television and film. 

Mary Ann Brader Scholarship: Jennifer Schramm, a junior at Lewis University majoring in elementary education, and Lauren Dortwegt, a sophomore at Lipscomb University majoring in elementary education.

• University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate Allison Ballweber, of Downers Grove, represented the Public Relations Student Society of America that was awarded the Outstanding Student Organization of the Year Award by the Student Organization Office & Student Leadership Program. The Student Organization of the Year Award recognizes a student organization that has shown exemplary leadership in its contribution to campus, community, and members. PRSSA is being recognized for its innovative enhancements in programming, organization structure, membership development, and campus and community services.

PRSSA has excelled in the area of membership through efforts to transform the organization’s membership retention and cohesion. This organization was able to increase its membership retention by 75%, revamp its executive board through intensive leadership training, and enhance its services to its members by providing superior academic, career, and campus services. This organization has created an innovative development of a student-run public relations firm that offers pro-bono public relations assistance to anyone on the UW-Madison campus or surrounding community.

In addition to revamping its structure, membership, and contribution to campus and community, this organization also organizes regional conferences where professionals from around the Midwest provide advice and networking in the public relations industry.

Dean’s List

• Marist College, spring semester
Downers Grove: Kira Redig

Bachelor’s degrees
• Mount Holyoke College
Downers Grove: Dawn Miskus