Hanover Township honors local leaders at reception
The Hanover Township Committee on Youth held its annual Celebration of Leadership Awards Reception Tuesday, May 2, at the Township Senior Center. The committee presented awards in five categories.
Award recipients include: Diavyance Richardson of Glenbrook Elementary, Rising Star Award winner; Hrutik Munigeti of Canton Middle School, Junior Leader Award winner; Evelyn Villalobos of DREAM Academy High School, High School Leader Award winner; Michelle Sheeks, Community Adult Leader of Youth Award winner; and Cheryl DeRoo of Glenbrook Elementary School, Principal of the Year.
Special recognition for "Trailblazing in Public Service Through Leadership" was given to Eric Loera of Streamwood High School, along with recognition in "Trailblazing Through Team Leadership" given to Emily Salazar, Lesly Berrum, Jasmin Munoz, Melanie Salazar and Cristal Zavala of Bartlett High School.
"The foundation of a great community lies within its leaders and volunteers," said Brian P. McGuire, Hanover Township supervisor. "Through their selfless leadership, these award winners strive to make their schools, and the township, a better place."
Rising Star Award winner Diavyance Richardson, a student at Glenbrook Elementary School, is a member of the Youth Advisory Council, a peer tutor, and mentors in the PBIS program. She also wrote a book this year based on her personal hardships to show others they are not alone and can overcome adversity.
Junior Leader Award winner Hrutik Munigeti, a student at Canton Middle School, actively participates in the Robotics Club, Science Olympiad, and the "You Can Be a Chemist" Challenge.
High School Leader Award winner Evelyn Villalobos of DREAM Academy in Elgin is actively pursuing an education to one day be a nurse and the first member of her family to go to college. Evelyn is a peer mentor and is part of the DREAM Academy Girls Group.
Community Adult Leader of Youth Award winner Michelle Sheeks is a Parkwood Elementary teacher who built a bridge between the school and community with her involvement in advancing the social emotion needs of students at the school. She developed a parent and teacher support system called "Peace Circles," which helps students identify different outlets of how to problem solve and deal with their emotions.
Eric Loera was recognized for his "Trailblazing in Public Services Through Leadership." Eric serves as the student adviser on the Elgin Area School District U-46 school board, the student advisory council at Streamwood High School, the Hanover Township Committee on Youth, all while participating in extracurricular activities at his high school and being an active member of the Latinos Unidos Club.
Emily Salazar, Lesly Berrum, Jasmin Munoz, Melanie Salazar, and Cristal Zavala of Bartlett High School were recognized for "Trailblazing Through Team Leadership." This group of young women worked closely with Bartlett High School, Hanover Township Youth and Family Services, and Laurel Hill Elementary in planning and preparing a first-of-its-kind leadership event.
More than 50 fifth-graders attended the event, where the girls led small and large groups in team building activities.
Principal of the Year Award winner Cheryl DeRoo was selected for her leadership at Glenbrook Elementary School in Streamwood. DeRoo developed a weekly principal blog to increase community engagement and interest in the school system and activities. She is currently working toward her doctorate to further her insights and initiatives in collaborating with students, staff, and parents.
To learn more about the Committee on Youth or its events, visit www.hanover-township.org or call (630) 483-5799.