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Deputy Editor Sarah Karp and Data & Research Editor John Myers have won first place in the Education Writers Association’s 2009 National Awards for Education Reporting, the country’s most prestigious competition for education journalism. Karp and Myers won for “Reaching Black Boys,” our May/June 2009 issue of In Depth, which reported on the widespread use of harsh discipline against African-American boys in Chicago Public Schools, and the impact on their education. Karp and Myers won in the special interest/trade publication category. Scott Stephens, from our sister publication Catalyst Ohio, won a second-place prize in the beat reporting category.

Associate Editor Sarah Karp, an award-winning investigative reporter and the parent of three children, two in Chicago Public Schools, has been promoted to Deputy Editor. Along with reporting and writing, her new duties will include assisting with editorial oversight of In Depth and The Notebook.

In addition, Associate Editor Debra Williams has been named to the new post of Community Editor. In that job, she will serve as a liaison between Catalyst and grass-roots organizations and help develop new ways to better serve their education needs and bring their voices into the dialogue about education improvement.

State Rep. Kathleen Ryg (D-Vernon Hills) has been named president of Voices for Illinois Children, replacing Jerry Stermer, who became Gov. Pat Quinn’s chief of staff earlier this year. Ryg, who has been a state legislator since 2003, will take over Sept. 1. Ryg also has experience in counseling and in the administration of community-based organizations. Gaylord Giesecke, who served as interim president, will return to her role as vice-president of Voices. ... Polaris Charter Academy founder Tracy Kwock has recently left her position as director of operations and finance for the school; she will serve as director of partnerships for the Polaris Board of Directors. Kwock, a Golden Apple winner, has been replaced by Carol Clavadetscher, previously director of financial planning and analysis for the PepsiCo Corp.