Evanston Reads 'Of Beetles And Angels'

By Judy Chiss

Although the National Endowment for the Arts recently reported a continuing national decline in reading, this fall has been a good season for reading in Evanston. Thanks to several generous grants, including one for $33,800 through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSAT), Evanston Township High School was able to provide every student with a copy of the book "Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard" by Mawi Asgedom. This "Evanston Reads" project, modeled after similar projects in Chicago and other cities, is a literacy collaboration among Evanston schools, the library, the City and the community.

Since his memoir was published in 2001, Mawi Asgedom (Mawi, shortened from Selamawi, which means "peaceful" in his native language) has made hundreds of public appearances and spoken to hundreds of thousands of young people and adults across the country. In 2006 the Illinois Association of Teachers of English named him Best Illinois Author. Speaking at Evanston Township High School in November, Mr. Asgedom told Cassie Schnatterly's sophomore English class and members of the Books-R-Us book club that "despite how tough and challenging life is, we all have choices." He advised students to take advantage of their time in school - and not only for academic growth. "School is a way for you to cross boundaries and meet and get along with all kinds of people. Think about it. Where else in your life will you be able to be with so many different kinds of people?"

ETHS librarian Nancy Figel said planning for "Evanston Reads" began last spring. "The partners included ETHS, District 65 schools, Evanston Public Library, Evanston Youth Initiative, the City's Youth Engagement Initiative, and National Lewis University's Center for Teaching Through Children's Literature," she said.

Ms. Figel and ETHS English teacher Laura Horton are project managers for the LSAT grant, which enabled ETHS to become Evanston's largest book club.

Book Talk Open to the Community

Parents and community members are invited to a free book talk about "Of Beetles and Angels" at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16 in the Michael Cafeteria at ETHS, 1600 Dodge Ave. The discussion will be led by Susan McClelland, co-coordinator of the African-American Literature Book Discussion Group at the Evanston Public Library.

Eight From ETHS Among 'Those Who Excel'

District 202 School Board member Mary Wilkerson was among 38 individuals and teams of people from around Illinois to receive top honors from the Illinois State Board of Education for their outstanding contributions to education.

In addition, seven Evanston Township High School faculty members - math teacher Richard Kaplan, counselor Brian Cadogan, and the Spanish Heritage Learners Team: Kathy Pino, Fernando Campos, Marita Hanley, Kari Jaeckel and Graciella Napoles - are also award recipients.

Ms. Wilkerson, a native Evanstonian and ETHS alumna, received the highest award, the Award of Excellence. Now serving her third term on the ETHS School Board, Ms. Wilkerson has helped ETHS build partnerships with local agencies, City government, businesses, and area colleges and universities to create career-based programs and internships. In addition, she has drawn on her community connections to found recognition programs for African-American students and teachers.

Mr. Kaplan says he believes that education is an essential tool for righting social injustice. He teaches students of all levels, from algebra support to Advanced Placement calculus, and has promoted the importance of learning math. His ability to motivate students is legendary, including collaborative group work that involves students in the teaching process, and study-group sessions no one wants to miss. Mr. Kaplan's efforts have tripled ETHS enrollment in college-level math courses, especially among students of color.

Mr. Cadogan has been at ETHS just four years but has already emerged as a leader. He developed a summer school course on study skills for incoming freshmen and volunteers in an after-school homework center for at-risk students. He coordinated ETHS's Black History Month programming, chaperoned and participated in national conferences for the Minority Student Achievement Network, and directed the summer school last year.

In 1999 an ETHS Spanish teacher identified the unmet needs of Spanish-speaking students not in the bilingual program. These heritage learners of Spanish, predominantly children of immigrants, needed a program tailored to their linguistic and cultural needs. The Spanish Heritage Learners program began with one course and now encompasses four levels. The team of five dynamic teachers develops and refines curriculum as students' needs evolve, providing wrap-around support, sharing ideas about pedagogy and organizing field trips to enhance students' cultural knowledge. The team has also founded a network of teachers who teach Spanish heritage learners in Northern Illinois schools.

Children's Book Discussions of 'The Cay'

Book discussions of "The Cay," by Theodore Taylor, will be led by Adventure Stage Chicago and Evanston Library staff. "The Cay" is the story of two strangers - a privileged 11-year-old boy and an elderly West Indian man - who forge a bond of friendship and survival while stranded on a deserted island.

This book is recommended for ages 10 and up. Pick up a copy now to read on winter evenings, then sign up for one of the following discussion groups by calling the Main Library Children's Room at 847-448-8610.

Evanston Main Library: Jan. 12 at 2 p.m.
North Branch Library: Jan. 14 at 7 p.m.
South Branch Library: Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.

A stage adaptation of "The Cay" runs from Jan. 26-Feb. 17, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Adventure Stage Chicago, 1012 Noble St., Chicago. For tickets call 773-342-4141.

Youth Council Represents the City

The City of Evanston presents the newly appointed members of the 2007-08 Youth Council. The Youth Council represents a voice for the youth of Evanston. To find out more about the Youth Council or to find out how you can get involved, contact Sol Anderson at youth@cityofevanston.org or 847-448-8049. Pictured from left, seated: Daniel Cohen, Luis A. Herrera and Antony Noria; standing: Jacqueline Newsome, Courtney Reneé Harris, Ebony Brown, Ross Donnan, Kandice Dean, Sara Pitt, Jhannelle Harrison, Gabby Rosenberg and Vidur Sood.