He's only been on the job for half a year, but Southwestern Illinois College's heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration program coordinator Keith Otten has already received an honor for outstanding work.

Otten, of Millstadt, was named by the American Welding Society with its Section Educator Award for the St. Louis Area.

"I'm very honored to receive this award," Otten said. "It's always an honor to take a student who may have little to no experience in this field and expose them to the opportunity to do a certain trade and get them started in the career of their choice."

While he is in his first year of full-time employment at SWIC, Otten has 10 years of experience as an adjunct professor there and as a high school welding teacher.

SWIC Technical Education Dean Brad Sparks said he's glad to see Otten off to such a good start.

"We congratulate Keith on his success and are proud to call him a faculty member at SWIC," Sparks said. "Hopefully his early success will translate to many more years of success here."

A Waterloo High School student has released his first fiction novel with a national publisher.

"Fallen," is the name of the new novel from Jacob D. Poettker, which is the fantasy tale of young warrior from another planet who is trying to lead an army to save his species from annihilation.

The book introduces readers to 17-year-old Darkblade Huncong the 19th, who comes from the country of Corinthia on the planet Biblicia. He has everything: a girl to marry, men under his command, and a gifted skill for fighting.

When the bloodthirsty Fecians invade Darkblade's world, his unique skills become vital to not only Darkblade but also his entire species. Now Darkblade finds himself in a position that could save or destroy his entire species and their world.

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.