Naperville to give service awards to 20 youth
The city of Naperville and KidsMatter soon will recognize 20 local students for their community service.
The students will receive Naperville Youth Service Awards, presented by Mayor George Pradel, the Naperville City Council and KidsMatter, during a community program from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today in the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
The city of Naperville has presented the Naperville Youth Service Awards since 1993 to recognize outstanding volunteer efforts by local Naperville area students and to encourage all youth to get involved in community service.
Nominations for this year’s awards came from 19 local organizations and agencies that provide young people with opportunities to volunteer their time and energy. The volunteer opportunities give teens a sense of purpose, provide them with valuable hands-on experiences, and ignite the volunteer spirit that has helped make Naperville the thriving community it is today.
The award ceremony will honor each student as well as recognize the organization that nominated him or her. Each student will receive the Naperville Youth Service Award pin, a framed certificate, and a custom frame to place a photo of the student receiving the award from the mayor and council.
The Young Naperville Singers will perform during the event, with a reception following compliments of Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. The program is supported, in part, by The Education Center and Illinois Energy, Windows and Siding.
The students and their nominating organizations are as follows:
Ÿ Julia Rabin, NCO Youth and Family Services
Ÿ Brianna Fitzhenery, DuPage Children’s Museum
Ÿ Abigail Carter, GiGi’s Playhouse
Ÿ Anderson Tien, Naperville Public Library
Ÿ Ashley Wesolowski, Neuqua Valley Interact Club
Ÿ Cathy Blewett, Morton Arboretum
Ÿ Jordyne Pippenger, Fair Lady Productions, Kidz Kabaret
Ÿ Kandace Huebner, Feed My Starving Children
Ÿ Shriya Shah, Edward Hospital
Ÿ Bailey Curtis, Almost Home Kids
Ÿ Carly Pomeroy, KidsMatter in partnership with DuPage PADS
Ÿ Anthony Gedvilas, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association
Ÿ Courtney Kent, Ready Set Ride
Ÿ Sarah Matthews, Naperville Heritage Society/Naper Settlement
Ÿ Maddy Nave, NCO Youth and Family Services
Ÿ Matthew Spencer, Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry
Ÿ Tara Ung, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Ÿ Alexis Mayfield, DuPage Senior Citizen Council
Ÿ Chelsea Wang, Manor Care
Ÿ Issac Heine, Naperville Park District
For information about this event, contact Viveka Ross at Viveka@KidsMatter2us.org or (630) 465-4357.