Plano Methodist Church scholarship awarded
Diane Morris, right, announces to the Plano Methodist Church congregation, August 3, that Elizabeth Gould, center, is the recipient of a scholarship, established by Pete and Betty Wolsfeld.
Two students achieve perfect ACT scores at West Aurora H.S.
West Aurora High School is proud to announce that two members of the Class of 2026, Emerson Laufenberg and Joshua Hoecker, have each achieved a perfect composite score of 36 on the ACT (American College Test), a standardized exam used for college admissions. A perfect ACT score is a distinction
Little White School Museum’s first intern finishes her stint
The Little White School Museum’s first intern, Ronja Schmitz-Weincke, wrapped up her two-month stint as the museum’s first intern in July. The museum internship program was instituted by the Oswegoland Heritage Association Board of Directors early this year. It is being conducted and organized for the heritage association by museum
Back To School Bash in Aurora, Aug. 2
GROW with GEM (Gratitude Empowerment Motivation), a non profit, will hold its second annual Back To School Bash from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at Southwind Community, 1228 S. Fourth Street in Aurora. There will be free haircuts (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), school supplies, line dancing lessons,
Illinois direct admissions program for state universities
By Andrew AdamsCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois students won’t need to fill out applications for most state universities to be admitted — if they have high enough grades. With his signature, governor JB Pritzker on Monday approved a bill creating the direct admissions program. Along with it, he approved bills that
Ms. Alex Rose, Science editor of Ocean Geographic Magazine, founder of Blue Ring will present a session, ‘Strange and Beautiful: Our Oceans and How to Protect Them’
Ms. Alex Rose, Science editor of Ocean Geographic Magazine, Founder of Blue Ring, Explorers Club Fellow, award winning nature photographer and environmental journalist, will be presenting a session, “Strange and Beautiful: Our Oceans and How to Protect Them,” on Wednesday 18, 2025 as part of the Hicks/Wright Organization’s Summer STEAM
City of Aurora donates hybrid vehicle to West Aurora HS
The City of Aurora’s Fleet Maintenance Division is excited to announce the donation of a retired hybrid fleet vehicle to West Aurora High School’s Automotive and Technical Center. The Center, which offers automotive technology classes that specialize in various areas of study, including brakes and computer control, will utilize the
Community Foundation awards $3.4 million in scholarships
At the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley, we’re celebrating the culmination of this year’s scholarship program. More than 1,300 students applied, and we were deeply moved by their dedication, talent, and determination to pursue higher education. Thanks to the generosity of this remarkable community, we are proud to award
South Elgin teacher Erbach awarded Golden Apple Award
The Golden Apple Foundation, the leading Illinois-based nonprofit committed to preparing, mentoring, honoring, and retaining great educators who advance educational opportunities for students, surprised Matthew Erbach, a ninth through 12th grade teacher at South Elgin High School in Elgin, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Erbach
Aurora University breaks ground for new library
May 15, Aurora University announced a Learning Commons to replace Charles B. Phillips Library. AU President Susana Rivera-Mills, Ph.D., presided at an earlier internal groundbreaking ceremony for students, faculty, staff and board of directors. She said construction on the three-story, multi-functional building is planned for a plot along Prairie Street
Aurora University graduation 2025
A 2025 Aurora University graduate poses for a photo outside Eckhart Hall Saturday, May 3, after spring commencement ceremonies.
Cyber safety tips: IT expert presents at Aurora Lions Club
Members of the Aurora Lions Club learned cyber safety tips at the club’s meeting May 1. Dan Vargas, an Aurora Lion and assistant information technology supervisor for Fox Metro water reclamation district in Oswego, presented “Cyber Safety Basics” at Paulie’s Pub in Aurora. Vargas explained aspects of information technology, including
Bill Foster leads effort to keep STEM grads
Bill Foster (D-IL) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Keep STEM Talent Act to make certain advanced Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degree holders eligible for permanent resident status. This would allow these graduates to remain in the United States following their graduation and would
Reader’s Voice: Homeschooling bill bad for educational freedom
March 25, 2025Dear editor; Homeschooling is on the rise and some school administrators are very concerned that they’re losing tax resources with declining enrollment numbers. Representative Terra Costa Howard (D-Lombard) is targeting homeschooling families with HB 2827, claiming that she wants to protect children from parents “who don’t do it
Marmion Academy senior awarded Global Seal of Biliteracy
Marmion Academy is proud to announce that senior, Juan Campos, Jr. of Aurora, has been awarded the prestigious Global Seal of Biliteracy (www.theglobalseal.com), an international language certificate that recognizes and celebrates his level of proficiency in Spanish and English. The Global Seal of Biliteracy validates language skills and expands future
Illinois Community colleges see nearly 9% spike in enrollment
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Enrollment at Illinois community colleges grew to more than 285,000 in the spring semester this year, an 8.9% increase over a year ago and the largest spring-to-spring enrollment increase since the Illinois Community College Board began collecting systemwide data in the late 1990s. In a
Hundreds rally at the Capitol to oppose homeschool bill
By Beth Hundsdorfer & Molly ParkerCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Hundreds rallied Thursday at the Capitol in Springfield to voice their opposition to a bill that would require oversight of families who homeschool their children, a response to concerns that the state offers no restrictions on homeschooling families. The bill, called the
Illinois bill aims to add more oversight of homeschooling
By Molly Parker & Beth HundsdorferCapitol News Illinois Following a ProPublica and Capitol News Illinois investigation, an Illinois lawmaker has introduced legislation that would require families to tell their public school districts if they are homeschooling. A new Illinois bill aims to add some oversight of families who homeschool their
Illinois students remain at or above national average
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Fourth and eighth grade students in Illinois generally scored as well or better than the national average in reading and math, according to results of the latest round of national test results. But their scores remain below pre-pandemic levels and, in the case of reading,
Wanted: Women to help women learn English; Jan. 18
The Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora needs female volunteers to help women learn to read, write and speak English. Alison Brzezinski, DLC tutoring coordinator, said training will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. Training will take place at the center, 260 Vermont Street in Aurora,