Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017

Sophomore Wins S-Factor Competition

The second time proved to be the charm for Samhita Madduru Friday night. The sophomore won the Kiva Club’s S-Factor student singing competition in the Performing Arts Center, after reaching the final round last year. Samhita was one of 14 contestants in the contest, which also raised money for “micro loans” to entrepreneurs in developing countries. Senior Owen Albrecht finished second and sophomore Ryan Chu was third.

Child Development Students Complete Advocacy Projects

Students enrolled in Child Development classes recently completed a class project devoted to advocating for children. In addition to researching and presenting ideas on combating issues for their classmates, more than 60 students took it upon themselves to stretch beyond the assignment. They donated money, clothes, toys and time to make a difference in children’s lives. Read this article to see the creative ways students reached out to help others.

String Parents Add Culver’s to Fundraiser List

The String Parents Association will have a fundraiser at Culver’s in Buffalo Grove from 4-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, in addition to its fundraiser at Yu’s Mandarin through the end of 2017. (The boys swimming and diving team has two fundraisers on Friday; details in the Patriot Sports section.)

Last Digest Until Jan. 8

This is the last Daily Digest of the first semester, and for 2017. The Digest will be on hiatus until the first day of second semester, Monday, Jan. 8. In the meantime, you can get Stevenson updates by following the school on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and by visiting the school website at d125.org.

PATRIOT SPORTS

Click here for today’s athletic schedule

Boys Swimming and Diving Fundraisers on Friday

The boys swimming and diving team will hold two fundraisers Friday at side-by-side locations in Lincolnshire. The team is having a fundraiser at Menchie’s from 4-10:30 p.m., and at Chipotle from 5-9 p.m. Menchie’s is donated 20 percent of sales to the team while Chipotle is offering 50 percent. Make sure to mention Stevenson swimming when ordering, or show one of these flyers.

Distance Runner Lucas Leaning Toward Emory

Senior distance runner Brett Lucas plans to run cross country and track at Emory University in Atlanta, according to the Daily Herald. Emory’s men’s cross country team finished 25th at the NCAA Division III finals this fall. The Eagles’ men’s track and field team placed fifth in its conference last spring.

New Faces Emerging for Wrestling, Basketball Teams

In athletics, every new season provides an opportunity for previously unheralded performers to take center stage. Two examples at SHS are the wrestling and boys basketball teams, which have seen new faces emerge following the graduation of several key players. For coach Shane Cook’s wrestlers, a squad filled with varsity newcomers has seen senior Muzi Sitshela rise from relative obscurity to become a key figure. Likewise coach Pat Ambrose’s team, which fields a roster without a Division I prospect for the first time in several years. Senior Jackson Qualley has stepped to the forefront for the young Patriots.

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Click This Link to See More Announcements

Break Time Great Time for Senior Service Recognition Applications

Winter Break is an excellent time for seniors to begin preparing their Senior Service Recognition application. Use this link to fill out the application, and to see helpful hints from fellow seniors who have already done theirs.

Auditions for Children’s Play Moved to January

Auditions for the Stevenson Foundation’s winter children’s play, The Velveteen Rabbit, have been moved to Thursday, Jan. 11. Auditions will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. in the West Auditorium. Actors and dancers are needed. Have a children’s poem or nursery rhyme ready to perform for your monologue. Tell why you feel the velveteen rabbit should become real; make these responses clever and creative. Bring your enthusiasm and your energy!

ILLINOIS EDUCATION HEADLINES

Report: State’s teacher shortage worse in central Illinois

State seeking after-school ideas for $12M federal grant

Decatur schools receive $1.65M gift from Buffett Foundation for ag academy

Effingham teachers finalists in national education reform competition

Vandals damage, steal computers, TVs at UI-Springfield

Ex-College of DuPage board chairwoman’s secret payments scrutinized

SIU professor seeking Green Party nomination in congressional race

Why and how suburban schools are embracing lessons in cursive writing

NATIONAL EDUCATION HEADLINES

University enrollment declines for sixth straight year

12 studies from 2017 that educators should know about