College Credits: Plainfield Musician Performs At Packers Game

PLAINFIELD, IL — We're keeping track of all the major higher education accomplishments of students in the area. Send your submissions to emily.rosca@patch.com.

Plainfield native serves as student teacher

Taiya Stelmachowski from Plainfield, IL, who is studying Elementary Education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is representing the university as a student teacher during the fall 2023 semester.

Stelmachowski, a student in UW-Whitewater's College of Education and Professional Studies, is serving as a student teacher at Eagle Elementary School in the Palmyra-Eagle School District through the middle of January 2024.

"Our students are highly sought after," said Fred Trotter, administrative director in UW-Whitewater's Office of Clinical Experiences. "School districts really appreciate the caliber of our graduates."

A total of 143 UWW students were placed in school districts around the state starting in August. Student teaching is the final activity before teacher candidates earn their degrees and license.

UW-Whitewater will partner with 210 cooperating teachers across 134 schools in 87 districts over the course of the semester.

— Merit Pages News

Student from Plainfield certified as tutor

Emily Sullivan, from Plainfield, IL, who is studying Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is a now a Certified Level 1, 2 or 3 Tutor for the university's Campus Tutorial Services. Sullivan offers tutoring assistance in the following subjects:

Math, Women and Gender Studies at CRLA Level 3 recognition.

Achieving certification means that Campus Tutorial Services has met CRLA's high standards for tutor selection, training, direct service, and evaluation as an integral part of their overall tutoring program. The CRLA is endorsed by the National Association for Developmental Education (NADE) and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).

Training consists of three levels: Level 1 (Certified), Level 2 (Advanced) and Level 3 (Master). After completing Level 1 training, tutors are eligible for Level 2 training followed by Level 3 training.

— Merit Pages News

Plainfield student performs with marching band at Packers game

Ian Curless, from Plainfield, is among the student musicians from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawk Marching Band who performed at the Green Bay Packers home game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Nov. 19.

Curless, who is studying Music at UW-Whitewater, is part of the Baritone section in the marching band.

The 162-member band was invited to perform at halftime and post-game at Lambeau Field in front of a crowd of more than 80,000 people. The group last performed at Lambeau Field on Sept. 10, 2017.

"We are thrilled to be able to return to Lambeau Field," said Glenn Hayes, director of bands at UW-Whitewater. "The students have been working with a strong focus and determination to give an incredible performance. I could not be more proud of each and every one of them!"

— Merit Pages News

Local student inducted into Phi Kappa Phi

Plainfield native Audrey Howard, majoring in Communication Sciences/Disorders, was among the more than 190 University of Mississippi students who were welcomed into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honor societies for all academic disciplines. The university held an induction ceremony on Oct. 25 at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts on campus.

"Phi Kappa Phi is an all-discipline honor society," said Annette S. Kluck, Phi Kappa Phi chapter president and dean of the Graduate School. "Membership is by invitation only and is highly selective. Thus, the students invited to join our chapter are the top in their class.

Phi Kappa Phi membership is based on a student's character and academic standing. Juniors must have completed 72 credit hours and rank in the top 7.5% of their class, while seniors and graduate students must rank in the top 10% of their class.

— Merit Pages News