Aurora students study earthquakes
An Aurora grade-school classroom simulated earthquake vibrations Monday.
About 30 fourth-graders at Hall Elementary School in West Aurora School District 129 were studying quakes and quake-resistant buildings.
Under teacher Louise Golden’s guidance, students used mini-marshmallows and toothpicks to design, build and “shake-test” structures.
Students were required to “purchase” materials, assess material quality and follow a budget. Each student was given a $5 mock budget for materials.
Marshmallows cost 15 cents each, round toothpicks were 10 cents each and flat toothpicks were seven cents each.
Students tested completed structures on a shake table, a flat board resting on marbles in a wooden frame.
As Golden counted down 10 seconds, each student shook the structure on the table.
East Aurora students earn honor
Twenty East Aurora High School seniors have been honored as 2016-17 Illinois State Scholars.
The State Scholar program recognizes high school seniors for outstanding academic achievement. To be eligible for the State Scholar program, a student must score in the 95th percentile in the ACT or SAT, and be in the top half of their high school class rank. From those qualified applicants, the state uses a formula to narrow down to a select group of State Scholars.
East Aurora High School students named State Scholars are Suliyat Adekola, Ruben De La Mora, Kassandra Diaz, Diego Esquivel, Myrna Garcia, Leonel Lopez, Myles Miller, Luis Nevarez, Annabelle Pisciotta, Monica Ramirez, Cynthia Ramos, Jose Ramos, Jazmine Reyes, Mayra Rios, Jacqueline Salazar Martinez, Robert Salinas, Omar Simental, Erik Strand, Dianca Villa, Ivan Zepeda.
The State Scholar program is organized by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
“These 20 students are great examples of who the Tomcats truly are – they are passionate about learning and engaged in their education,” said East Aurora High School Principal Anthony Crespo. “I’m thrilled that the state of Illinois is honoring the classroom excellence that our staff sees every day. These Tomcats are 20 more examples of why East Aurora High School students continue to make this community proud.”
Candlelight Christmas Eve service planned
A candlelight Christmas eve service is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 24 at Fourth Street United Methodist Church, 551 S. Fourth St. in Aurora.
The service will feature hymns, scripture lessons, communion and a meditation by the Rev. Deborah Tinsley Taylor.
After an opening hymn, a church family will light four Advent candles and a Christ candle.
The service culminates when congregants form a circle inside the sanctuary and light individual candles by passing a candle flame to each other.
Call 630-897-5257 for information.
Nativity pageant at Aurora church
With costumed actors and farm animals, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurora will stage its second annual “Bethlehem Walk,” an indoor live nativity pageant.
The event designed to recreate the first Christmas will be held on Friday and Saturday at the church’s ministry center, 55 S. Constitution Drive in Aurora. The location is a former Cub Foods supermarket site.
Hours will be 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m.
The public is invited. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.
Volunteer narrators will guide groups of visitors to 15 enacted, dramatic stories from Bible days, church officials said.
Madrigal dinner staged at West Aurora
The 29th annual Madrigal dinner-concert was staged by West Aurora High School’s Music Department at the school cafeteria Dec. 12.
About 160 guests attended the feast in the hall decorated by volunteers the day before.
Entertainment was provided by West’s 29-member Madrigal Singers, Lyric Chorus and 37 Singing Wenches under direction of Elizabeth Hutchinson and Brian Smith. Madrigal and Lyric vocalists were in period costumes.
After a town crier welcomed guests, King Jake Elkins and Queen Annika Gienger led a procession of court members. The Jester was played by Ben Patrick.
Following opening toasts, guests were served a three-course dinner prepared by West culinary arts students.
