Volunteers to receive Shining Star Awards

The Academy Awards of Mount Prospect, where the village's best and brightest are honored, will be held during the Celestial Celebration, where Shining Star Awards will be handed out.

At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Bristol Court, 828 E. Rand Road, the awards ceremony will kick off in honor of all the good deeds performed by those who work or live in the village.

"(The person) who gets an award has done something incredible," said Tom Zander, a member of the village's Special Events Committee, which is sponsoring the event.

The winners were nominated by community leaders, business people and residents. An awards committee reviewed the nominations and determined the winners in December, but winners won't be announced until the event. The categories are:

• Beautify Mount Prospect -- Individual or group who has made a special effort to enhance the physical character of the village.

• Best Business Partner -- Business in Mount Prospect that has gone out of its way to be a good corporate citizen.

• Champion for Youth -- Individual who enriches the life of young people.

• Youth Should be Served -- Volunteer or part-time worker who champions the causes of youth.

• Good, Better, Best Neighbor -- Individual who has gone out of the way to be a good neighbor.

• Hometown -- Individual whose efforts promote the feeling of community.

• Living Legend -- Individual who has achieved nearly legendary standing in the community.

• Open Arms -- Individual who has opened arms to the needy or less fortunate.

• Rising Star -- Junior high or high school student who goes beyond what is expected of him or her.

• Unsung Hero -- Individual who does a thankless job.

• Ought to be More People Like This -- Individual who is virtually indispensable to an organization.

• Toast of Town -- Individual who has contributed to the cultural life of the community.

While the event has been traditionally formal, the theme this year is centered around the 1950s. Poodle skirts are expected to make an appearance among some of the guests.

The menu, which is still a secret, will be '50s diner-style food, Zander said.

Winners receive a plaque and will make a speech.

Unlike the Academy Awards, which this banquet is fashioned after, the winners know they have won before they go.

The 650 tickets usually sell out before the event day. About half had been sold as of last week, Zander said. Tickets are $35 each.

To order tickets, contact the village Web site, www.mountprospect.org.