Mundelein resident receives Distinguished Service Award

Mundelein business owner, parent of two Mundelein High School graduates and strong supporter of MHS Luis Fuentes received a Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association May 8.

A variety of public education supporters were honored during a luncheon held at Bolingbrook Golf Club. The honorees represented categories of Administrator, Board of Education Member, Community Member, Faculty/Certified Staff, Parent, Support Staff and Team. NSPRA chapter members from Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin served as judges for the program.

Fuentes serves as president of the MHS Universidad de Padres, promotes various activities in support of Latino Heritage Month each year, serves as an assistant at FAFSA workshops throughout Lake County, participates in the Mustang DOORS Program, serves as a speaker and translator at community meetings informing the public about the building addition, STEM and Project Lead the Way instruction.

He is also a graduate of the Mundelein Citizens' Police Academy and an active member of the Mundelein Business Association. Fuentes also organized a "Meet and Greet" evening in August for new superintendent Dr. Kevin Myers.

"Luis is an administrator's and principal's best friend as far as helping to build a relationship with the school and the community," MHS Assistant Principal James Ongtengco said.

"The Distinguished Service Awards event is an opportunity to honor deserving education staff and supporters of local school districts," said INSPRA President Dani Brink, director of community relations for DuPage High School District 88.

"It is a wonderful way to highlight the successes of public schools and to thank various stakeholders for acting as public relations ambassadors for education."