Neighbors in the News: Village of Barrington welcomes new director of Cultural Affairs
The village of Barrington has hired accomplished conductor, educator and arts leader Dr. Brian Coyle as its new director of Cultural Affairs.
Coyle brings decades of experience to his new role, which includes serving as director of Barrington’s White House, the village’s cultural and community center, and working with the Barrington Cultural Commission.
He will be succeeding Dr. Rollin Potter, who has served as the founding cultural director for the past 10 years.
Coyle received his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University and served as a professor and chairperson at Hope College for 26 years. Coyle’s distinguished career includes notable achievements such as serving as the executive director of the Civic Music Association of Des Moines and a co-founder of the International Association of Jazz Arrangers and Composers.
“Brian's arrival marks an exciting new chapter for us,” said village of Barrington President Karen Darch. “His deep understanding of the arts and his commitment to cultural development make him an ideal leader to continue the legacy of excellence established by Rollin Potter.”
• Paityn Han, a Wescott School fourth-grader, is among five winners across the nation in Storyworks Magazine’s February edition of the Scholastic Writing Contest.
On Friday, May 31, teachers at the Northbrook school surprised her with her award in front of her parents and the entire school during Wescott’s end-of-year assembly.
Her teacher, Petra Choi, also presented her with the award from Scholastic and a copy of the book “Lost at Sea: Shipwrecks!” by Ben Hubbard.
The contest challenged students to research the true story of Jack Binns and his heroic rescue of many people who survived a Titanic-type crash of a big ship, then write a memoir of this American hero.
• Wilmette native Navy Machinist's Mate Nuclear 3rd Class Isaac Cho will join more than 250 seriously wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans at the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Warrior Games Challenge June 21-30 at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.
Cho will be competing against athletes representing the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Special Operations Command. During the 10 days of competition, Cho will compete in archery, shooting, swimming and wheelchair basketball.
Hosted by U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command, the DOD organizes an annual premiere and elite adaptive-sports competition, the Warrior Games. This year is the 14th anniversary, highlighting the exceptional physical skills and mental toughness of seriously wounded, ill, and injured active-duty and veteran service members. Though there are medals distributed during Warrior Games, the competition celebrates personal tenacity, perseverance and the triumph of the spirit.
• Community Consolidated School District 62 has named Electra Giannakopoulos as its English Learner (EL) coordinator.
In her new role, Giannakopoulos is responsible for supporting school leaders and staff with meeting the academic and social emotional needs of English Learners. She will be working with schools in their efforts to support students as they transition to English.
Giannakopoulos will also be responsible for coordinating schedules, overseeing the administration of ACCESS testing and ensuring students are making measurable gains within state standards. She will be working in collaboration with families and with the community through such events as Bilingual Parent Advisory Council.
“I am excited to be joining the District 62 team as an EL coordinator,” said Giannakopoulos. “Having grown up in a bilingual household myself, my goal is to ensure equity, access, and academic success for all learners. I aspire to bridge expertise and leadership, facilitating collaboration among educators, support staff, and families.”
• Send your ‘Neighbors in the News’ items to ntwohey@dailyherald.com.