El Diablo brings home hardware!

If you've seen the new yearbook, El Diablo, you probably were impressed with its fabulous design. The theme "Story of my Life" was ingenious! You weren't the only one that was impressed, however:

• The 2009-2010 El Diablo Yearbook won the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Medal, which is awarded to the top one percent of yearbooks.
• The National Scholastic Press Association awarded the 2009-2010 El Diablo yearbook the honor rating of First Class with Two Marks of Distinction.
• The Kettle Moraine Press Association awarded Hinsdale Central High School’s 2009-2010 El Diablo the Honor Rating of All-Kempa.
• The American Scholastic Press Association awarded Hinsdale Central High School’s 2009-2010 El Diablo First Place.
• Walsworth Publishing inducted Hinsdale Central High School's 2009-2010 El Diablo into its "Gallery of Excellence"

Congratulations to the entire Yearbook Staff, including senior editors Hayley West (Editor in Chief), Holly Moran (Design Editor) and Erin Guth (Managing Editor). Congratulations, too, to the sponsors, English teachers Stephanie Hiffman and Erin Timmons!

English Teacher Michael Palmquist Earns National Board Certification

Teacher Michael Palmquist has recently earned his National Board certification. This is a prestigious designation.

Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review.

Congratulations to Michael, a highly-respected teacher leader in the department!

(He joins Jan Bujan as a Board-Certified teacher in English.)

NCTE Achievement Award in Writing

The National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Award in Writing was established in 1957 to encourage high school students in writing and recognize publicly some of the best student writers in the nation. The selection process is intense. The winning writers are selected for independence of thought, fresh insight, concern for expressiveness, keen observation and reflection, and sensitivity to nuances of word meaning. This year two young women were judged to be among the best young writers in the nation. This number is unprecedented in HC history is the top school for Illinois. The English Department is honored to recognize the following young women as NCTE Achievement Award Winners:

Senior Julia Quintero. Julia wrote an essay entitled “The Benefit of the Doubt.” Julia’s essay begins with the guilt she feels for not measuring up to her own expectations for what it means to be a “religious enough.” It is an exploration of her developing relationship with her faith and how some of the things that she thought were weaknesses are actually strengths.

Senior Grace Walsh wrote an essay entitled “Becoming What I Always Was.” Grace begins with the fact that she has always been “her father’s daughter” to others and works to define her complex and changing relationship with her mother.

Congratulations to Julia, Grace, and the teachers who have helped them become the writers that they are!

Devil's Advocate wins Two Awards for 2009-2010

This year Devils' Advocate has been undergoing some really exciting design changes. The editorial, as always, is amazing. Last year's DA has scored a couple important awards:

The 2009-2010 Devils' Advocate was awarded the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) 1^st class with three marks of distinction.

The 2009-2010 Devils' Advocate was also awarded the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Silver Medalist Certificate.

Congratulations to the entire DA staff, especially Maddie Kelly, editor in chief; Kenny Shaw, managing editor, and Paul Girgis, Lizzie Callen and Maggie Altergott, photo editors . Congratulations, too, to DA sponsor (and English teacher) Sue Grady.

Senior English Award 2010

Senior English Award

Teachers of the English Department nominate top seniors from their classes who exemplify best the traits that we try to nurture in the English Department – the ability to read challenging texts critically, to write about things they care about with precision, and to speak with passion. They love the power of language in its myriad forms. Teachers vote for one male and one female senior who models these attributes. The book that we give to the winners is slim, but profound. It is called This is Water. It’s a commencement speech given by the writer David Foster Wallace which asks the important question: “How do we keep from going through adult life unconsciously, comfortably entrenched in habit?”

On behalf of the English Department I would like to recognize Safiya Elahi, who will be attending Loyola University in Chicago, and Taylor Werkema, who will be attending Emory University, as the 2010 winners of the Senior English Award.

Book Award Winners Announced

Agnes Scott College Book Award

Agnes Scott College is highly selective, independent national liberal arts college for women located in Atlanta, Georgia. The 2010 Agnes Scott Book Award recognizes a student for her excellence in scholarship, leadership and service. The book is Parting the Curtains, Interviews with Southern Writers, which features many of the distinguished writers who have visited Agnes Scot College. The winner of the Agnes Scot College Award for 2010 is junior Marlena Abraham.

St. Lawrence University Book Award

St. Lawrence University is liberal arts university in upstate New York. The St. Lawrence University Book Award is given to the top junior English students in recognition of demonstrated commitment to their community. The book is Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson’s inspiring narrative of promoting peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan by building schools. The Winner of the St. Lawrence University Book Award for 2010 is Vikram Reddy.

English Teacher Speaks at Professional Development Workshop

English teacher and yearbook advisor Stephanie Hiffman was an honored guest speaker on Friday, April 30^th at Walsworth’s Yearbook Advisor Workshop. Hiffman advised a crowd of suburban and city yearbook advisors on yearbook management, organization, and student motivation. Hiffman also won two awards for her involvement as an advisor.

El Diablo ranked top 8% Nationally

El Diablo yearbook won Walsworth’s Gallery of Excellence award for the 5^th year in a row. This award is given to Walsworth’s top 8% yearbooks in the country. The yearbooks chosen for this award are distinguished by their comprehensive coverage, innovative design, and superior copy and photographs. EL Diablo 2009-2010 will serve as a model for school yearbooks across the nation.

English Teacher Presents on text messaging in the classroom

English Teacher Sibyl Krucoff presented recently at the Du Page County Institute at Wheaton North HS. Her presentation, titled “Catch the GenNext Wave: Teen Cyberspeak,” investigated the impact of text and impact messaging on writing in the classroom.