Character Matters in Lake County announces 12th Annual Excellence in Character Awards

Character Matters in Lake County, a committee of the YES (Youth Empowerment for Success) Coalition and the Lake County Regional Office of Education, announce the recipients of the 12th annual Excellence in Character Award.

This year, 32 students and 20 staff members from Pre-K-12 educational institutions across Lake County received this distinguished award, given to individuals who demonstrate outstanding character and citizenship in their schools and communities.

The students and staff members, hailing from elementary, middle and high schools as well as two early learning centers, a charter school and an academy, were honored this spring in their schools' year-end programs. Each award recipient received a certificate and a letter of congratulations. Students received Excellence in Character medals, and staff members received Excellence in Character lapel pins.

The Excellence in Character Award program demonstrates Character Matters' continuing efforts to celebrate positive character in our communities. The attributes of this year's nominees proves that Lake County schools are full of outstanding individuals who are highly regarded for their selfless actions, their generosity and compassion towards others.

Dr. Viki Cvitkovic, dean of the College of Lake County Southlake Campus, serves as co-chair of Character Matters in Lake County. "The admirable traits exhibited by these recipients serve as an inspiration to others. It is wonderful to highlight students and staff across Lake County who are committed to making their communities better in meaningful ways," she said.

Ashley Ward, committee co-chair, said it is humbling to review the comments submitted on the nomination forms. "The individuals remind us that small acts of kindness make such a difference. All you need to do is to look to the students and staff members listed here and know there are positive role models who are spreading the message that character and contribution to the greater good matters!"

Lake County Students 2017 Excellence in Character Award Recipients

Karla Argomaniz, Wauconda Grade School, Wauconda

Emily Bertram, Deer Path Middle School West, Lake Forest

Morgan Bielski, Lake Bluff Middle School, Lake Bluff

Samantha Bradley, Grass Lake School, Antioch

Daisy Calderon, Washington Elementary, Waukegan

Alejandro Carillo, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Byron Craig, A. J. Katzenmaier Academy, North Chicago

Grace Donahue, Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest

Ryne Dzierzynski, Big Hollow Elementary School, Ingleside

Hannah Groenke, Grayslake Central High School, Grayslake

Annabelle Guerra, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Margaret Jemian, Lake Bluff Middle School, Lake Bluff

Jennifer Johnson, Tripp Elementary, Buffalo Grove

JaMia Johnson-Rockingham, Warren Township High School, Gurnee

Morgan Larson, Barrington Middle School Station Campus, Barrington

Hope Leman, Charles J. Caruso Middle School, Deerfield

Logan Lewis, Grant Community High School, Fox Lake

Ashley MacDougal, Deer Path Middle School East, Lake Forest

Ramsen Marano, Fremont Intermediate School, Mundelein

Alyssa Martin, Meridian Middle School, Buffalo Grove

Chloe Martinez, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Micah Morris, Howe Elementary School, Beach Park

Trevor Niznik, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Crystal Ortiz, LEARN 6 Charter School, Great Lakes

Ryan Ray, Fremont Elementary School, Mundelein

Noelani Rodriguez, Greenwood Elementary School, Waukegan

Jackson Rudolph, Big Hollow Elementary School, Ingleside

Addison Salski, Fremont Middle School, Mundelein

Justin Shorris, Pritchett Elementary School, Buffalo Grove

Martin Silva, Hyde Park Elementary School, Waukegan

Luke Timmer, Emmons Grade School, Antioch

Alexa Velazquez, Stanton Middle School, Fox Lake

Lake County Staff Members 2017 Excellence in Character Award Recipients

Lora Ciferri, Grayslake Central High School, Grayslake

Nancy Connor, Pritchett Elementary School, Buffalo Grove

Gail Dufresne, Howe Elementary School, Beach Park

Beth Ekeroth, Wauconda Grade School, Wauconda

Truedy Falvey, Hyde Park Elementary School, Waukegan

Carol Finnen, Tripp Elementary, Buffalo Grove

Tom Ivarson, Meridian Middle School, Buffalo Grove

Susie Kiefer, Oak Grove School, Libertyville

Emily Loerakker, Fremont Middle School, Mundelein

Chris Mason, Warren Township High School, Gurnee

Jill Merriman, Lincoln Early Learning Center, Mundelein

Julie Morrison, Avon Center School, Round Lake Beach

Jayne Perlman, Greenwood Elementary School, Waukegan

Susie Pries, Washington Elementary, Waukegan

Vicky Richter, Fremont Elementary School, Mundelein

Vicki Shifley, Grant Community High School, Fox Lake

Susan Stahoviak, Fremont Elementary School, Mundelein

Nicole Sweeney, Grass Lake School, Antioch

Cyndy Thielen, Emmons Grade School, Antioch

James Truelove, A.J. Katzenmaier Academy, North Chicago