Daily Herald honors students at Leadership Team dinner

Young volunteers from around the suburbs were recognized for their philanthropic deeds Monday at the Daily Herald's Leadership Team dinner.

About 40 high school students were selected from 130 nominations to the Daily Herald's 2008-09 leadership team.

Members lent their time and talents to a variety of groups and programs, from Special Olympics to World War II veterans.

While students often are recognized for athletic abilities or academic achievements, those who dedicate their time to others deserve equal recognition, said Robert Paddock Jr., executive vice president of Paddock Publications, the Daily Herald's parent company.

"You will find that a well-rounded life is very useful," said Paddock, who added the students represent "hope" and "the future."

Many of the team members said volunteering is a way to give back to the community.

"I am fortunate to have everything that I have and there are others who are not as fortunate as I am," said Mary Cheng, 18, from Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst. "I like that I can give back."

Abbey Lynch, 15, a sophomore from Prospect High School, had similar reasons for her community service.

"I love volunteering and giving back to the community that has given me so much," said Lynch, the team's lone sophomore. Lynch participates in several programs benefiting mentally disabled students.

Cliff Nelson, an 18-year-old senior from Vernon Hills High School, leads a group for students with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.

"It is a great chance to give back," said Nelson, who also is the school's student council president. "It is fun. They're all great kids and it is nice to get to know them."

Nelson's parents said they were most proud of the initiative Cliff showed in taking on his various roles.

"What's most important is that he did this on his own," said Cliff's father, Matt Nelson. "He made the choice and we are very proud of him."

Making a choice to help others came easy for Meagan Holbrook, 17, a senior at Geneva High School.

"I don't think of it as anything special," Holbrook said. "But then you come to something like this and you realize that it is something cool that you have done."

Holbrook, who is active on her school's student council, raised $4,000 for Honor Flight Chicago, an organization that offsets costs for World War II veterans to travel to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial.