Mike Pruitt of Grayslake Named on of the 2012 Ten Outstanding Young Americans
– The United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) is pleased to announce honorees being named as the 2012 Ten Outstanding Young Americans. The presentation of the 74th annual black-tie awards ceremony will be held June 30, 2012, at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Being honored this year is Grayslake resident Michael Pruitt, Owner and Head of Operations, The Vine Martini and Wine Bar, along with 9 other winners from around the United States.
The Ten Outstanding Young Americans program (TOYA) is one of the oldest and most prestigious recognition programs in America. Annually since 1938, The United States Jaycees has sought out the ten young men and women who best exemplify the finest attributes of America's youthful achievers. Many notables have been honored as Outstanding Young Americans in the past including Presidents John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton, and Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dan Quayle, and Richard Cheney. Also honored were Howard Hughes, Orson Wells, Elvis Presley, Nelson Rockefeller, Ted Kennedy, dogsled champion Susan Butcher, and actor Christopher Reeve. Several Miss America's have received the award as well.
The United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) gives young people between the ages of 18 and 40 the tools they need to build the bridges of success for themselves in the areas of business development, management skills, individual training, community service, and international connections.
A 2001 graduate of Grayslake Community High School and a graduate of the College of Lake County, Pruitt was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and moved to Grayslake when he was 14. In 2006 he co-founded the Vine Martini & Wine Bar, one of the most popular restaurants in Grayslake.
Pruitt is on the board of several nonprofit civic organizations, including the Exchange Club of Grayslake as President-elect, Grayslake Public Library, the Grayslake Farmers Market, and the Oasis-Grayslake Youth Center which provides a safe, educational and fun place for youths 12 to 18 years of age. Pruitt also creates a wonderful production at the Carmel High School Street Scenes.
Pruitt and his wife, Amy, have two young sons, Caleb, 4, and Wyatt, 1 1/2.
"I am truly honored and humbled to be included in such a great group of recipients for this award," says Pruitt. "When I got to the top 25, I was very happy with that and thought it was amazing. When I was notified that I was in the top 10, I was really shocked."
Recipients of the award, in the Illinois Jaycees' 47th year, were judged on how they have exemplified themselves by among other criteria: Personal improvement or accomplishments; financial success and economic innovation; social improvement to major contemporary problems; philanthropic contribution or voluntary service; cultural achievement; and influence in public opinion.
"When community groups ask me to help out, I just can't say no because I'm part of the community," said Pruitt who is always there when there is a community event as either a sponsor or a supporter, but always as a participant.
Also being honored this year:
B Jessica Black, Director of Sales and Marketing, Premier Logic; Brian Calley, Lieutenant Governor, State of Michigan; Tulsi Gabbard, Council Member, City and County of Honolulu; Fred Hoiberg; Men's Head Basketball Coach, Iowa State University; Christopher Masingill, Federal Co-Chairman, Delta Regional Authority; Kyle Pagerly, Deputy Sheriff, Berks County Sheriff's Department; Sanjay Ramabhadran, Vice President, CP& Y; William Vatavuk, Attorney, Vatavuk Law Firm; Dr. David Washington, President and CEO of Washington and Company, LLC