Mount Prospect to honor Shining Stars at awards gala
They've made a difference in Mount Prospect, and now the village is going to honor them at a gala awards banquet.
The Mount Prospect Special Events Commission has announced its 2018 Shining Star Award winners. The awards honor individuals and organizations that help make the community a great place in which to live and work.
In 2017, there was not a Shining Star Award ceremony due to the Centennial Celebration, where the village itself was considered the Shining Star. This year, however, the village returns to honoring Shining Stars with the gala Saturday, Feb. 3, at The Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Drive in Palatine.
Nominations are sought from the public in the fall. The categories cover a wide range of interest areas and are designed especially to seek out individuals who do things that often go unnoticed.
Tickets for the event are on sale at www.mountprospect.org. Tickets are $65 per person before Jan. 20; $75 per person after. The ticket deadline is Jan. 30. The evening includes dinner, open bar and dancing until midnight to Orchestra 33 Band. The public is invited.
Mount Prospect's 2018 Shining Stars
• Rising Star Award, Zach Miller: Zach is senior at Prospect High School who has shown leadership in extracurricular activities, excellent grades and public activism, all while maintaining a part-time job. Zach has had a huge impact on his peers with his thoughtfulness and personality.
• Star Spangled Banner Award, Lee Jensen: Lee served in the U.S. Army. Lee has been a nonstop, formidable and very active patriot in the community for more than 50 years. Lee is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1337 and the American Legion Post 525. He is a strong character and is admired by his peers.
• Home Town Award, Julie Vowinkle: Julie is kind, caring and passionate about Mount Prospect. She truly loves her hometown. Julie retired from School District 57, but never stopped "working." Julie immersed herself into updating the history of the village. She has coordinated the "Then and Now" field trip, toy drive at Lions Park, and volunteers in meeting with students who need help.
• Stand and Deliver, Anne Shaughnessy: Anne has worked closely with the Mount Prospect Historical Society on many projects. She has digitized the village's history through the North Suburban Library System. This is has been a long running project and daunting on many levels. Anne has always gone above and beyond in her job and has dedicated herself to Mount Prospect.
• Champion for Youth Award, Mike Sebestyen: Mike has taught and coached at Prospect High School for almost two decades. He infuses his practices with examples of service and character. Prospect football has been the largest single contributor to Prospect Gives Back Day. Mike ensures that each year his players get involved in the community by volunteering.
In 2008, Mount Prospect lost Alyssa Potratz at age 9. Mike started the Alyssa Potratz Lifting Jamboree to raise more than $100,000 by the time her twin brother graduated from Prospect in 2017. The goal was accomplished in 2016. The money was donated to Shriners Hospital.
• Best Neighbor Award, Annie Holtz, Lisa Wheeler, Joe and Amy Bush, Jay Clair: The block of 100 S. Edward Street has been there for each other time and time again. This past summer, their neighbor John had gone into cardiac arrest. With the help of all neighbors, they were able to revive John. John has made a full recovery thanks to his neighbors' quick and fierce determination.