LaGrange Park, Chicago and Downs students win Illinois Education Association Awards during annual Illinois History Expo

SPRINGFIELD - Students from LaGrange Park, Chicago and the McLean County community of Downs won awards from the Illinois Education Association during the annual Illinois History Expo held May 8 in Springfield.

"These awards are presented by the Illinois Education Association to students for the best exhibits at Expo," said Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) Director Jan Grimes. The Agency sponsors Expo in cooperation with the Chicago Metro History Education Center.

Molly Conroy and Allison Hawking of Nazareth Academy, LaGrange Park, won first place and a $100 savings bond for their exhibit, "The Chicago Kindergarten Movement."

Second place and a $75 savings bond went to Shiloh Psujek of Newberry Academy, Chicago, for her exhibit "Rise of Magnet Schools in Chicago."

T.J. Scott of Tri-Valley Middle School, Downs, won third place and a $50 savings bond for his exhibit, "Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Children's Home."

The Illinois Education Association - NEA is an organization of teachers and other school employees that are working to make our good public schools even better for all students.

More than 1,400 junior and senior high school students from across the state participated in the May 8 Expo. The students were winners selected during regional history fairs held earlier this year.

The regional fairs and the Illinois History Expo are coordinated by the IHPA's Education Services Program, which also publishes the on-line student history magazine Illinois History, and Illinois History Teacher, which contains teaching materials. For more information on the program, visit www.Illinois-History.gov.