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.

Senior Literature Class provides funds for Four Surgeries

Connecting real life with literature is one of the objectives of English teacher Chris Billie and Special Education teacher Alecia Faull. Reading the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Senior Literature students in Billie’s and Faull’s courses encounter the character Hassan, who is born with a cleft palate. The class started collecting loose change for Smile Train daily. This semester the two classes raised $1,182.25 – enough for four cleft surgeries and money toward a fifth surgery. This curriculum-based fundraising opportunity has helped create a community of learners, provided students with a sense of pride, and opened student eyes to the world far from Hinsdale Central High School. We are so proud of Senior Lit!