Elmhurst, IL –– The City of Elmhurst’s Commission on Youth honored young volunteers at its annual Exemplary Youth Service Awards program held Wednesday, April 27, at Sandburg Middle School.
The Exemplary Youth Service Awards program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated at least one of the following criteria through volunteer service: the level of involvement should demonstrate an exemplary commitment; the service must contribute to the health and well–being of a worthy individual or group or the community at large; the service should help promote the spirit of volunteerism.
The 103 nominees ranged in age from elementary through high school. Eleven groups and 12 individuals were nominated for this year’s awards. Serving as distinguished judges were Elmhurst School District 205 Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching, Dr. Michelle Fitzgerald; Director of Community and Government Relations for Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare, Diane McGinnis; and Elmhurst Police Deputy Chief Michael McLean.
Speakers for the evening included 2015 Exemplary Youth Service Award recipients and Churchville Middle School 8th graders Emily Belcher and Brenton Russo, as well as the senior captains of the 2016 York High School All-Youth Relay for Life Team of Jacob Evans, Josh Hovance, Bobby Krissinger and Annie Mundle.
As noted by Brenton Russo, “Volunteering in a field that interests you can start you on a lifetime of rewarding experiences. Volunteering teaches responsibility, life lesson and team work. Whether you like working with animals, the elderly, children, helping clean up nature or shelving books, there is something for everyone. And it is all helping other people, which is the true meaning of volunteering.”
Award winners were personally congratulated by Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley and District 205 Superintendent Dr. David Moyer. Ken Bartels, of Community Bank of Elmhurst, again served as the Master of Ceremonies. A dessert reception followed, with musical entertainment provided by York High School guitarist Alex Stezowski.All nominators and the nominees are listed below.
Nominators included: Faith Humphrey Hill, Wendee Goles, Diane Emich, Christine Pace, Rodney Pate, Julie Feldkamp-Pradhan, Stacey Burns, Heather Bolur, Brianne Kennedy-Brooks, Anne Sullivan, Carl Maeder, Ashley Tucker, Lisa Kerins, Leo and Jill Sullivan, Lilas Kawales, Angela Ferrentino, Caroline Rogers and Carol Marcus.
Nominees included:
Exemplary IndividualsElla Pittman – Bryan Middle School
Amanda Strezo – York Community High SchoolJason Kentra – York Community High School
Commendable IndividualsAbby Gundrum – Elmhurst Elks
Brianna King – Elmhurst Art Museum/Park Art CenterJames Owens – Elmhurst Art Museum
Peter Owens – Elmhurst Art MuseumExemplary Groups
York High School All-Youth Relay for Life Senior Captains – Jacob Evans, Josh Hovance, Bobby Krissinger, Annie MundleFriends of Annie LeGere – Brenna Bohaboy, Megan Cronin, Cathryn Hanson, Sydney Krueger, Elena Meyer, Christina Sapata
Girl Scouts Troup #50302 – Madison Adelsbach , Daniella Cerdas, Ellyanna Cervera, Nora Conroy, Riley Crow, Abella Dibrito, Sarah Huber, Katie Kamka, Amelia Karr, Stella Kohl, Ara Krossovitch, Ava Reidy, Lauren Sandstrom, Natasha Shamarina, Nora Sherman, Ava Varzino, Samantha Voirol, Elizabeth Winkiel, Ava YouCommendable Groups
Bryan Middle School Student Council – Steve Chornij, Ronan Doyle, Paulo Favuzzi, Emma LutzYork High School Soles for Kids Project – Abby Gundrum, Evan Mills
York High School Key Club Leadership Board – Lilian Alexandrova, Yasmeen Ali, Megan Boyle, Julia Doherty, Katelyn Kolosieke, Grace QueAccess Sports – Burke Corcoran, Katelyn Kolosieke, Danny Mendrella, Emily Patterson, Kenny Sidoryk, Gabriela Uribe, Zach Zurlo
York High School “Finding Kind” – John Clugg, Katherine CluggElmhurst Elks Lodge #1531 – Abby Gundrum, Meggie Hart
York All–Youth Relay For Life Juniors – Jackie Biggins, Jenn Biggins, Julie Biggins, Luis Chavez, Olivia Condon, Grace Foster, Abby Gundrum, Meggie Hart, Megan McGreal, Kamil Nocon, Gavin WahlgrenYork “All Nighter Fighters” Relay for Life Team – Tommy Angelos, Will Borrows, Billy Bowbin, Julia Conversa, Trevor Corsello, Cam Dobrotka, Mark Dorsey, Tom Ducey, Jacob Evans, Matthew Finan, Cam Fowler, Josh Hovance, Anna Hubert, Zach Johnson, Bob Krissinger, Darcy Kummerow, Jordan Less, Brennan McGovern, Maggie Milkowsk, Grey Miller, Sophie Mordini, Bryant Moritz, Annie Mundle, Michael O’Malley, KatieBeth Pasternock, Ryan Pedot, Joey Perez, Jake Privett, Peter Salek, Jonathan Schierl, Matt Shipman, Alyssa Taylor, Laurel Tompos, Halle Truett, Jake Wendell, Jack Wiesenmayer, Alex Yacko, Grant Zielke
All of the honorees received a $5 gift certificate, courtesy of City Centre.
Beginning May 8, the program will air on the local government channels (Comcast 6 and AT&T 99) on Sundays at 7 PM and Tuesdays at 5 PM. It may also be viewed online at www.elmhursttv.com (Elmhurst Our Kind of Town #1350).
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