Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce awards $4,000 in scholarships to high school students
Hosted by the BACC Women's Biz Net (WBN) at Biltmore Country Club in North Barrington, the luncheon was sponsored by Barrington Bank & Trust, BMO Wealth Management, Alpine Foot Specialists, and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, according to a news release.
'The BACC Lauren Brown Memorial Scholarship is an investment in the future aspirations of our local youth,' BACC President and CEO Suzanne Corr said in a statement.. 'The scholarships are available to students who will be attending universities, community colleges, vocational or trade school programs to support their future careers.'
The scholarship is named after Lauren Brown, a lovely young woman who worked for the Chamber for several years and lost her battle with cancer at the age of 29, the release said.
The Chamber's 2025 Scholarship Award Recipients are: Brady Anderson, Olivia Chau, Dylan DeLeon, Julia Gonzalez, and Matthew Louis.
'Lauren Brown Memorial Scholarships are funded by Chamber members through many Chamber events such as the BACC Golf Classic, our Annual Dinner and Silent Auction, and our WBN activities,' Corr said.
The BACC Golf Classic will be held on Monday, August 4, at The Club at Wynstone in North Barrington. Through the years, BACC has awarded over $95,000 in scholarships to local high school students, the release said.
Barrington High School seniors, as well as any student who works for a BACC business, or any student whose parent works for a BACC business, are eligible to apply for the Lauren Brown Memorial Scholarship.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gizmodo
a day ago
- Gizmodo
The Rise of a New AI Superpower
Abu Dhabi's artificial intelligence sector is growing at breakneck speed, a rapid expansion that officials say is reconfiguring the emirate as a major global centre for AI. New figures from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry show the emirate counted 673 AI companies between June 2023 and June 2024, a stunning 61% rise in a single year. That growth has made Abu Dhabi the fastest-growing AI cluster in the Middle East and North Africa. But in a world dominated by a handful of established tech capitals, can the emirate truly compete with the giants? The emirate's push is a deliberate effort to exploit the weaknesses of the incumbents. A cornerstone of its strategy is the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world's first graduate-level university dedicated solely to AI, designed to cultivate and attract a deep talent pool. By combining this focus on talent with massive government backing and a significantly lower cost of doing business, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a natural magnet for founders and investors looking for an alternative to the overheated markets of the U.S. and Europe. The New AI Cities Nurturing Cutting Edge Tech The new report maps out a distinct geography of artificial intelligence startups that has emerged globally, with a relatively small set of international cities concentrating the capital, talent, research institutions and corporate partners that early-stage AI companies need to scale. While AI innovation is increasingly distributed, a handful of urban ecosystems continue to lead the arms race to have the most advanced teams. Each hub has a unique blend of strengths covering everything from venture funding, deep research, access to data and specialized hardware or policy support, making them natural magnets for founders and investors. Where Are the Biggest Global Hubs for AI Analysts at StartupBlink have broken down exactly where AI is flocking as the Wild West rush for capital and customers continues its scorching pace. The San Francisco Bay Area remains the preeminent hub, powered by dense venture capital networks, leading universities, major cloud and chip providers, and a culture that tolerates risk and rapid iteration. As the long-time epicenter of the tech industry, startups in the Bay continue to benefit from proximity to both deep-pocketed investors and large tech firms that are major customers or acquirers. Data shows that New York City complements the West Coast with breadth in finance, media, healthcare and advertising create immediate vertical markets for applied AI, while strong seed and growth funding rounds keep a steady pipeline of capital. Across the pond, London retains its role as Europe's AI capital, combining talent from top universities, generous government-backed AI initiatives, and a favorable time zone for transatlantic deals. However, nowhere has been more successful and rapidly scaling and aggressively pushing domestic policy that supports tech than China. China's AI scene is anchored by Beijing and Shenzhen. Heavily backed by the Chinese state, Beijing is a research and talent powerhouse with deep ties to major AI labs and state-backed industrial programs. Tech analysts follow Shenzhen closely because it excels at rapid hardware prototyping and commercializing AI-powered devices. Both cities benefit from major support from a strong, centralized Chinese government that is significantly invested in pushing massive domestic markets and integrated supply chains. The Middle East Makes a Play for AI Dominance Tel Aviv remains a startup factory, offering highly experienced technical founders, a specialized cybersecurity and data-science talent pool, and a strong exit market. Beyond the top tier, a host of specialized hubs are carving out their own niches. In North America, Toronto and Montreal are research powerhouses with initiatives that feed startups with top-tier machine-learning talent and international partnerships, while Boston leverages its universities to lead in biotech AI. Paris and Berlin provide growing European ecosystems with robust public research funding and increasingly active VC communities. In India, Bengaluru continues to expand as the nation's engineering and product-development center, offering cost-effective talent and a large domestic market for AI services. Singapore is positioning itself as a regulatory- and infrastructure-friendly gateway to Southeast Asia, actively courting AI companies with data-governance frameworks and regional connectivity. Seattle, with its cloud and retail giants, remains an influential node for enterprise AI. The Weakness of the Giants Even the biggest AI hubs have real weaknesses. The Bay Area is weighed down by sky-high costs and cut-throat competition for engineers, while a softer VC market makes it harder for later-stage startups to scale. New York faces a persistent hiring gap as top researchers chase the pay and resources of Google and Meta, and its office rents and salaries push early-stage burn rates to the brink. Those pressures are creating an opening for newer, more flexible markets, like Abu Dhabi, to thrive. In an era of political division and economic uncertainty, the biggest 'moonshot' may not be a new algorithm but a new city. And in the global race for AI, Abu Dhabi is making a compelling case that its moment has arrived.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Nearly 60% of German firms expect EU-US deal to burden them more, finds DIHK
BERLIN (Reuters) -Nearly 60% of German companies expect the European Union's trade deal with the United States to create more burdens for them through higher tariffs and more bureaucracy, a survey said on Wednesday. That number rises to 74% for companies with a direct U.S. business, according to a flash survey by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) of around 3,500 firms. In contrast, 37% do not foresee any effect, while only 5% expect economic relief as a result of the deal that will provide for 15% tariffs on most EU goods starting Thursday. "This agreement may have been politically necessary, but for many companies in Germany, it is still a bitter pill to swallow," said DIHK chief executive Helena Melnikov. Even more problematic is lingering uncertainty on whether the agreement will hold, said Melnikov, urging the EU Commission to push for improvements in further talks with the U.S. Some 80% of companies with direct U.S. business said their main concern is new tariffs coming into play, with nine out of 10 already seeing negative effects of the current policy. Almost two-thirds of German companies are turning their attention to new markets as a result, with the European single market in particular seen as stable and predictable. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
SOAP LAKE MAYOR: Karen Woodhouse
Aug. 5—SOAP LAKE — As Soap Lake prepares for its mayoral election in November, City Council Member Karen Woodhouse has officially announced her write-in candidacy. With a history of dedicated civic service and a passion for local advocacy, Woodhouse said, she presents herself as a reliable candidate knowledgeable about the issues facing her community. Currently serving as the mayor pro tempore and a member of the Soap Lake City Council, Woodhouse said she is an active member of the community. She is the owner of Recollections, a local business focused on the unique culture and history of Soap Lake. Her business is part of Washington State's Creative Districts. In addition to her business ventures, she holds leadership positions as the president of both the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Soap Lake Garden Club. In her announcement, Woodhouse emphasized her connection to the town and her dedication to its future. "I love this town and the people in it," she said. "As mayor, I'll bring steady leadership that listens, collaborates, and stays focused on what matters most to our residents." Woodhouse's campaign is built around three primary priorities: economic renewal, infrastructure and beautification and transparent and accountable leadership. She said she aims to support small businesses, expand responsible tourism, and create jobs that benefit year-round residents. Recognizing the importance of local businesses to the community's character and economy, she plans to work closely with stakeholders to ensure a sustainable economic environment. "Getting businesses, attracting new businesses that can be year-round and that can make money year-round — not just depending on tourism — is crucial," Woodhouse said. She has identified the need for a full-time city administrator and wants to revamp the planning department to include a dedicated code enforcement officer and building inspector. In addition to economic initiatives, Woodhouse is focused on infrastructure improvements. She said she seeks to invest in roads, parks and civic spaces to enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors. She said her vision aligns with her belief that Soap Lake's future depends on making the town an attractive and functional environment for families and future generations. Woodhouse said she also prioritizes democratizing local governance by promising transparent and accountable leadership. "I think it should be based on the others who have been elected, so that we can come up with a consensus to do the best for the city," she said, specifying her commitment to listening to the City Council and the public before making major decisions. She said she hopes to facilitate town halls and open council meetings where residents' voices can be heard. Having invested deeply in the Soap Lake community, Woodhouse said, she is a dedicated public servant. Married with four adult children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, she said her role as a family-oriented leader who values fairness and community engagement. "I'm a good listener, and I'm fair," she said, explaining her approach to leadership. Despite her relatively limited background in politics, with four years of experience on the city council, Woodhouse said she is undeterred by the challenges of the role. "It's been challenging because there have been five different mayors during my time on the council. But we have good people who care about Soap Lake," she said. Woodhouse's name will not appear on the printed ballot. Voters must write in "Karen Woodhouse" in the designated space for mayor. As a write-in candidate, she said, she recognizes the challenges but remains determined to ensure her campaign resonates with the residents. "The people who know me know that I'm a pretty fair-minded, even-keeled person, and I can work with both sides of the fence," she said. As a write-in candidate, Woodhouse's name will not appear on the November ballot. Those who wish to choose her must write "Karen Woodhouse" in the designated space for mayor on their ballots for Soap Lake. Solve the daily Crossword
