Naperville City Council Honors 19 Area Young People with Prestigious Naperville Youth Service Awards
KidsMatter, together with the Naperville City Council, honored 19 young people for their significant community service efforts during the 2013 Naperville Youth Service Awards celebration on Monday, November 18, 2013. Proud family and friends of the students packed the Council Chambers at the City Municipal Center in support of the outstanding youth.
Since 1993, the City of Naperville has presented the Naperville Youth Service Award to recognize and honor outstanding volunteer efforts by local Naperville area students and to encourage all youth to get involved in community service.
Nominations for this year’s awards came from 17 local organizations and agencies that specifically provide young people with opportunities to volunteer their time and energy. The volunteer opportunities give teens a sense of purpose, provide them with valuable hands-on experiences, and ignite the volunteer spirit that has helped make Naperville the thriving community it is today.
During the award ceremony members of the Council honored each individual student and also recognized their nominating organization. Each student received a Naperville Youth Service Award Pin, a framed certificate and a custom frame into which they will be able to place a photo of themselves receiving their award from the City Council member.
The Young Naperville Singers performed musical selections and there was a post-award reception and dinner compliments of Lou Malnati’s Downtown Naperville Pizzeria. This program was partially supported by Thrivent Community-Cantera, Illinois Energy, Windows and Siding, and The Education Center.
The City Council and KidsMatter were proud to honor the 19 students who have given their time, energy and heart to make a positive difference in the lives of other people and to make Naperville a better place in which to live.
See below for a complete list of both the nominating organizations and the award recipients.
Youth Award Recipient(s) / Nominating Organization
Samantha Basgall and Missy Martin / 360 Youth Services
Priyesha Bijlani/ Almost Home Kids
Katie Son / DuPage Children's Museum
Emaad Abdul-Qadir / DuPage PADS
Luis Sosa / DuPage Symphony Orchestra
Hiba Khan and Rachel Tinker / Edward Hospital
Arushi Mehrotra / Feed My Starving Children
Chuck Llewellyn / Forest Preserve District of Will County
Austin Hansen / KidsMatter
Mary Carter / KidzKabaret
Nick Carballo / Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry
Andrew Jaseckas / The Morton Arboretum
Emily Deahr / Naper Settlement
Rhea Ninan / Naperville Park District
Alice Reid / Naperville Public Library
Erin Gradle / Ready Set Ride
Luke Tucker / Western DuPage Special Recreation Association