On May 18, 2001, classes from Pickard and Bell Schools in Chicago and Willard School in Elgin, were finalists in the Project Citizen Illinois Portfolio Contest, held at the Capitol Building in Springfield.


Celia Velasquez and her fifth graders from Pickard took first place for a mural project they designed and created. The mural and project have encouraged the administration and other teachers at Pickard to seek alternative ways of demonstrating learning for next year.

Sponsored by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and CRFC, the competition featured portfolio presentations of class projects that portrayed the goals, process and outcomes of the students. “I commend the hard work and good ideas of these Illinois students and teachers,” said White. “I was extremely impressed with the overall quality of the projects.”

Judges from the Secretary of State’s Office were: Terri Coombes, the Deputy Chief of Staff/Director of Programs and Policy; Dave Joens, Research Analyst; Kim Nehrt, Creative Director; and Nathan Maddox, Assistant General Counsel.

The national Project Citizen contest was held in San Antonio Texas in August 2001 in conjunction with the annual meeting of the program’s national co-sponsor, the National Conference of State Legislatures.



Last updated: January 2, 2002

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