Scholarships honor politician's passion for civics
During his 17 years as Wheeling Township Democratic committeeman, Patrick Botterman held a special place in his heart for young people.
Botterman, who also served as a Harper College trustee and died in March of a massive heart attack at age 44, was known as a mentor to young people interested in politics. Perhaps he was thinking of his own high school years, when he began volunteering for the Wheeling Township Democrats.
On Sunday, political leaders and members of the Botterman family gathered for the first Patrick S. Botterman Leadership Award ceremonies, held at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling.
Sue Walton, Palatine Township Democratic committeewoman, said the awards represent a joint effort between the Palatine and Wheeling township organizations to recognize grassroots efforts and honor Botterman's work. What was significant in the wake of his passing, she said, was the number of comments from young people about how much he had mentored them.
"He was my mentor and he gave me a lot of guidance in my campaigns," she said. "He had a very high standard for candidates. He expected a person to have integrity and commitment and humility, because public service was something that was an honor."
Receiving the 2008 Patrick S. Botterman Leadership Award were Chet Farley, 25, and Kelly Friskics, 25, founders of Northwest Suburbs for Obama. The two were recognized for recruiting volunteers, raising money, canvassing in several states, coordinating phone banks and registering voters.
In addition, they have organized drives to provide care packages for troops oversees, collected books for a school in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Katrina and helped a refugee family get settled.
"We know how important Pat was to the organization here, so we couldn't feel more honored," said Farley, a graphic designer who lives in Palatine.
Friskics, who grew up in Palatine, said she was interested in politics since she was in junior high and was writing papers about Bill Clinton and Bob Dole. But she said she really became involved after she and Farley began going to anti-war rallies and events.
She said Botterman taught both of them a lot about "how to listen to people."
A separate scholarship was awarded to Park Ridge resident Maggie Wave, 18, president of the senior class at Maine South High School. The high school's unofficial coordinator for Barack Obama for President, she is also a member of the Constitution team, plays piano and trombone, and participates in track and field.
Wave, a self-described MSNBC addict who plans to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said, "It's definitely an honor" to receive the scholarship.
State Sen. Dan Kotowski, who presented the awards, said Wave embodies the spirit of Botterman.
"Pat started volunteering when he was in high school. And she just represents the continuation of that spirit," Kotowski said.
When Patrick Botterman started working in Wheeling Township, there weren't a lot of Democrats.
"Now we are a large organization," said Botterman's successor, Kathleen Sances. "We will build in his honor on what he started and we will carry it on in his name. We will continue to mentor these kids."