Greg and Pat Thomas of Oak Park recently announced the engagements of their daughters Stacy and Greer, who both became engaged over the holiday season. Stacy is engaged to Christian Castro, son of Jay and Georgann Castro of Freeport. A September wedding is planned. Stacy is a 1996 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School and graduated from the University of Illinois in 2000. She is a designer for Webb Scarlett deVlam in Chicago. Christian also graduated in industrial design at the University of Illinois and is a designer at Cesaroni Design in Glenview.
Greer is engaged to Jon Adams, son of Dan and Garnet Adams of Marengo. Greer is a 1999 graduate of OPRF and graduated from Indiana University in 2003 with a degree in studio art/design. She is a designer for Ideation Studio in Chicago. Jon is a 2003 graduate of Valparaiso University and is an investment analyst for UBS Global Asset Management in Chicago. Greer and Jon plan to wed in the spring of 2009.
Scout’s honor
Dan Sterrett recently achieved the status of Eagle Scout. His qualifying project was organizing and implementing the creation of 250 care packages of donated personal items to the USO, as well as an additional $3,200 in financial donations.
Leading learners
Concordia University recently announced the 2008 recipients of its Community Awards for Excellence in Learning and Leadership. Recipients for this year are KL Robertson Daly, national president of Women in Management, Inc., for Outstanding Community Leadership; Michelle Adams Harton, founder, director and teacher at The Math Academy for Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Education; and Frank and Lois Catrambone for Humanitarian Endeavor.
Fenwick state scholars
Fenwick High School recently announced its 2008 Illinois State Scholars, which include Oak Parkers Nerina Disomma, John Goedert, Caroline Hudson, Brittany Kelleher, Stephen Puiszis and, from River Forest, Kelly Gleason, Patrick McGillen, Jonithan Odland, Colleen Osborne, Regina Smedinghoff, Catherine Toupin, and Brigid Wholey.
Chief medical officer
PCC Community Wellness Center has named Dr. Paul Luning as chief medical officer for its network of seven family health centers serving residents of Chicago’s West Side and west suburbs. A graduate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Luning has been affiliated with PCC Community Wellness Center since 1996. He also serves as associate director for West Suburban Medical Center’s Family Practice Residency Program.
Legion contestant
Fenwick High School student Regina Smedinghoff of River Forest recently competed in the second level of the American Legion Contest held at Glenbrook North High School, where she placed second.
Dean’s list
Michael B. Seidman of River Forest has been named to second honors on the Clark University Dean’s List for the Fall 2007 semester. A graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, Seidman is a member of Clark University’s Class of 2008 and studies Studio Art.
[PHOTO]
Charity gala
Oak Park resident Cathy Krieger (left), president and CEO of The Children’s Place Association, joined Peter and Suzanne Meder and Kathy Nowlin at the HIV/AIDS child welfare agency’s gala kickoff party that launched the charity’s 16th annual gala at Chicago’s Union Station on April 5.
Medical staff
The 2008 officers of the RUSH Oak Park Hospital medical staff include two Oak Parkers, Vice President Susan Balter, M.D. and Secretary David Kracker, M.D.
AmeriCorps service
Katy Baron, daughter of Jim and Jackie Baron of River Forest, recently began her 10 months of full-time service with AmeriCorps NCCC. Founded in 1994, AmeriCorps NCCC is a residential national service program for ages 18-24 that was created to assist with disaster relief and support efforts to improve the environment, education and public safety. In exchange for their service, members receive $4,725 to help pay for college. Baron, who attended Oak Park and River Forest High School and graduated from the College of Wooster in May 2007, will complete a series of six- to eight-week-long service projects as part of a 10- to 12-person team.
