Mt. Prospect honors its 'Shining Stars'

Coach Brian Krause gave his fellow Mount Prospect residents a tip on Saturday.

"When things get completely out of control, call a time out," said Krause, a youth baseball, football and basketball coach. "I just consider myself honored to be a part of the huddle."

Krause was one of eight people and one business honored at Mount Prospect's 17th annual "Shinning Stars" award ceremony at the Bristol Court Banquets on Saturday night. More than 200 people attended the "Masquerade Ball" themed event that featured face masks on each table and "Phamtom of the Oprah" music.

William and Dolores Shillington were picked for the There Ought to Be More People Like This Award. The couple was chosen because of their dedication to volunteering even before William Shillington recently spent two weeks Haiti.

"I felt like I was leaving so much unfinished work behind," he said. "But I got to fly there on a cargo plane and sat right upfront with the pilot. What a reward that was."

The winners honored on Saturday were:

• Best Business Partner Award: Tom Nelson & Roberta Hamann of Byte Me Computers

Byte Me Computers has maintained the Web site for the Northwest Suburban Council of Boy Scouts for many years. Nelson also helps host the New Year's Eve Party for Kids, the Halloween Fall Festival, and Oktoberfest through the Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association.

• Champion for Youth Award: Jim Miller, of the Mount Prospect Fire Department Fire

Miller is well-known throughout Mount Prospect schools for his ability convey the importance of fire safety to children.

• Youth Service Award: Brian Krause, Youth Coach

Krause has coached or coaches kid's baseball, football and basketball. Krause imparts a deep sense of fair play, sportsmanship and team spirit to all young athletes.

• Good, Better, Best Neighbor Award: Brian Kiel, Neighbor Extraordinaire

During the August 2007 storm Kiel traveled to his father's home to pick up a generator for his neighbors and stayed up with them into the early morning hours to periodically switch power among his neighbors.

• Hometown Award: Laura Haas - Halo Hair & Nail Studio

Laura and all of her stylists often host fundraisers events to turn over the day's revenue to nonprofit causes. Since 2003, Haas has raised more than $35,000.

• Rising Star Award: Martin Diaz, Hersey High School Senior

Diaz is a die-hard Hersey High School fan, who helped start the "Orange Crush" student cheering section.

• There Ought to Be More People Like This Award: William & Dolores Shillington,

Longtime volunteers for the Salvation Army, the Shillingtons have made countless trips for disaster relief in Illinois and beyond including numerous trips to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

• The World Is a Better Place Award: Parenti & Raffaelli, Ltd., Architectural Woodwork & Custom Cabinetry

Parenti & Raffaelli, Ltd. created memorable gifts for visiting dignitaries through the Sister Cities Commission and the Community Band exchange programs.