High school senior qualifies for national scholarship
Megan Childs, a senior at Walther Lutheran High School and a resident of Forest Park, is a semifinalist in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 16,000 students nationwide qualified as semifinalists after completing the SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in 2006. Some $34 million in scholarship funds will be awarded to 8,200 students next spring.
According to a statement from the Lutheran school, Childs is a member of the National Honor Society and participates in both the art and camera clubs. She is a flautist in the school band and orchestra, has competed in track and field and is a member of the school’s forensics squad.
Free screenings for students
Students who have not yet received a health screening in compliance with state education laws run the risk of being expelled, according to District 91. In an effort to avoid this, the K-8 public schools are again partnering with the Ronald McDonald Mobile Clinic to provide free medical services to uninsured and underinsured children.
On Saturday, Oct. 13 the clinic will be in the park at the corner of Beloit and Harrison streets beginning at 8:30 a.m. Students will be seen on a first-come first-serve basis with priority given to those at risk of expulsion. Parents must accompany their children. No services will be provided after 1 p.m.
Students who have not received a health screening in accordance with state law may be expelled from school beginning Oct. 15.
Schools, YMCA partner for talk
The West Cook YMCA will host a free community forum on the topic of asset building for young adults. The event is co-sponsored by the Forest Park elementary school district and school districts in Oak Park and River Forest. The keynote speaker will be Jim Conway, a senior trainer with the Search Institute in Minneapolis.
“We hope that this local event will serve as a catalyst for dialogue and action in all three of our communities to help address a number of concerns, including the achievement gap,” YMCA board Chairman Jim Lencioni said in a written statement.
The discussion will begin at 7 p.m. on Oct. 22 at the YMCA in Oak Park. For more information contact Jan Pate at the West Cook YMCA at (708) 434-0203 or jpate@opymca.org.
