Mount Prospect's 2018 Shining Star Award Winners Announced
Mount Prospect's 2018 Shining Star Award Winners have been announced by the Mount Prospect Special Events Commission. The awards honor individuals and organizations that help make our community a great place in which to live and work. They are celebrated as "Shining Stars" and recognize them at a gala banquet. In 2017, there was not a Shining Star Award Ceremony due to the Centennial Celebration, where the Village itself was considered the Shining Star. This year however, we return to honoring Shining Stars with the 25th Annual Shining Stars Gala to be held Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, at The Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Drive in Palatine.
Nominations are sought from the public in the fall. The categories cover a wide range of interest areas and are designed especially to seek out individuals who do things that often go unnoticed. Tickets for the event are now on sale at www.mountprospect.org. Tickets are $65 per person before January 20, $75 per person after January 20. The ticket deadline is January 30, 2018. The evening includes dinner, open bar, dancing until midnight to Orchestra 33 Band. Everyone is welcome!
Mount Prospect's 2018 Shining Stars are:
Rising Star Award - Zach Miller
Zach is senior at Prospect High School. Zach has shown leadership in extracurricular activities, excellent grades, public activism all while maintaining a part time job. Zach has had a huge impact on his peers with his thoughtfulness personality.
Star Spangled Banner Award - Lee Jensen
Lee served in the US Army. Lee has been nonstop, formidable and very active patriot in the community for over 50 years. Lee is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1337 and the American Legion Post 525. He is a strong character and is admired by his peers.
Home Town Award - Julie Vowinkle
Julie is kind, caring and passionate about Mount Prospect. She truly loves her home town. Julie retired from School District 57 but never stopped "working." Julie embraced herself into updating the history of MP. She has coordinated "Then and Now" field trip, toy drive at Lions Park, and volunteers in meeting with students who need help.
Stand and Deliver - Anne Shaughnessy
Anne has worked closely with the Mount Prospect Historical Society on many projects. She has digitized the Village's history through the North Suburban Library System. This is has been a long running project and daunting on many levels. Anne has always gone above and beyond in her job ad has dedicated herself to Mount Prospect.
Champion for Youth Award - Mike Sebestyen
Mike has taught and coached at Prospect High School for almost two decades. He infuses his practices with examples of service and character. Prospect football has been the largest single contributor to Prospect Gives Back Day. Mike ensures that each year his players get involved in the community by volunteering. In 2008 Mount Prospect lost Alyssa Potratz at age 9. Mike started the Alyssa Potratz Lifting Jamboree to raise over $100,000 by the time her twin brother graduated from Prospect in 2017. The goal was accomplished in 2016. The money was donated to Shriners Hospital.
Best Neighbor Award - Annie Holtz, Lisa Wheeler, Joe and Amy Bush, Jay Clair
Block of 100 south Edward has been there for each other time and time again. This past summer their neighbor John had gone into cardiac arrest. With the help of all neighbors they were able to revive John. John has made full recovery thanks to his neighbors' quick and fierce determination.