Firefighters union’s breast cancer T-shirt wins competition The Carpentersville Professional Fire Fighters union T-shirt recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October has been named the winner of the International Association of Firefighters contest for best design. The contest was open to all International Association of Fire Fighters union affiliates throughout the United States and Canada, according to the IAFF website, and the winners decided by online voting. Carpentersville’s shirt received 1,322 votes, according to a post on the Carpentersville firefighters union Facebook page. The shirts have the district’s logo in pink and a pink “bombera” insignia, which is a Day of the Dead-like skull wearing a firefighter’s helmet. In addition to short- and long-sleeved T-shirts, the breast cancer awareness artwork is featured on sweatshirts and hoodies in sizes for women, men and children. All of the items remain on sale online through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. To view the online store, go to bomberos-pink-november-2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/. ECC sees significant increase in dual credit class enrollment Elgin Community College has announced it has seen significant increases in dual credit enrollment classes, where students simultaneously earn high school and college credits. For ECC’s fiscal year 2022, there 988 stuents participating in dual credit courses, according to a news release. It grew to 1,356 in fiscal year 2023, 1,895 in 2024 and is expected to surpass 2,000 in 2025. The greatest growth has been seen in high school students taking college courses at their own schools, according to the release. “Dual credit programs provide a tremendous opportunity for students to get a head start on their college education while saving on tuition costs,” Sandra Gonzalez, dean of college transitions and secondary partnerships, said in the release. “The increase in participation reflects the value and impact of the program on our local students and families.” High schools in districts 300, 301, 303 and U-46 offer dual credit programs through ECC. For more information, go to elgin.edu/dualcredit. The third annual community sing-along of Handel’s Messiah! will be held Dec. 6 at Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theatre. Proceeds will benefit PADS of Elgin. (Elgin Sing-Along Messiah) Third annual Sing-Along Messiah to benefit PADS of Elgin A community sing-along of Handel’s Messiah! will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theatre. Participants in the third annual event will be accompanies by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, members of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras and an on-stage choir composed of members of the Elgin Master Chorale, a news release said. Proceeds from ticket sales and a free-will collection will benefit PADS of Elgin. Chicago area conductor and educator Matthew Sheppard, who is also artistic director at the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras, will lead the performance, which is just over one hour long and features the Christmas-focused selections from the Messiah! No experience is necessary; chorus scores will be available at the door for those want like to sing along. Audience members can sit by vocal section or in a general seating area, the release said. Tickets are just $5, plus a $2 handling fee. Children 12 and younger are free. Ticket buyers can use the code MESSIAH at check out to have the $5 processing fee per order waived, courtesy of Elgin Community College. For more information or to reserve a ticket, go to www.elginsing-alongmessiah.org. The 2024 Elgin Sing-Along Messiah is sponsored by ECC, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and an anonymous donor. Forest preserve program to explore nature’s healing effects “Nurtured by Nature” is a monthly series offered by the Kane County Forest Preserve District in which participants can experience the healing effects of nature, district officials said. The series incorporates gentle stretching, deep breathing and a focus on awareness during hikes designed to nurture the mind, body and spirit, according to a district news release. All programs in the series will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Sundays in December through February. Programs will be held Dec. 1 at Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve at 37W700 Dean St. in St. Charles; Jan. 26 at Rutland Forest Preserve at 41W230 Big Timber Road in Hampshire; and Feb. 23 at Burnidge Forest Preserve at 14N035 Coombs Road in Elgin. The free programs are for those 18 years old and older, officials said. Advance registration is required. To register, go to www.kaneforest.com/register, call 630-444-3190 or email [email protected]. For more information, go to www.kaneforest.com or find the district on social media by searching @forestpreserve. U-46 Board of Education earns good governance recognition honor The District U-46 School Board has been recognized for their governance practices by the Illinois Association of School Boards. U-46’s Board was one of fewer than 50 Illinois school districts to earn the School Board Governance Recognition honor for their effective actions and commitment to obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively lead the district, according to a U-46 news release. The honor is a two-year distinction. The recognition program aims to showcase how good governance creates a positive impact for students, staff, and the entire district community, the release said. For more information on the honor of the association, go to www.iasb.com.