North Chicago teens honored by Say YES! campaign

On Monday, Nov. 1, 29 nominees from North Chicago's Say Yes! to Youth Success campaign were honored by Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. and the North Chicago City Council.

More than 70 family members were in attendance to hear the reading of the proclamation recognizing the achievements of the teens in contributing to the well-being of the North Chicago community.

“On behalf of the City of North Chicago, we are extremely proud to honor the Say Yes! to Youth Success award recipients,” Rockingham said.

“As I look around at the crowd of positive young role models, it is inspiring to know that we are in the company of our future leaders.”

The Say Yes! campaign was designed by the Lake County Health Department in 2005 to unite youth, families, agencies, community groups, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations and communities as a whole in recognizing the achievements of youth.

This year the Lake County After School Coalition expanded the campaign, which was held during the month of October, to include North Chicago, Mundelein, Gurnee, Round Lake, Libertyville, Waukegan, Diamond Lake and Barrington.

The audience cheered as Pat Garrity from the Lake County Health Department reported: “North Chicago's campaign was the most comprehensive of all the communities with signs, banners and posters throughout the city, people from businesses, agencies and schools wearing stickers in honor of the youth during the week of Oct. 10, and students organizing to expand the campaign.”

The North Chicago award recipients, who were nominated by school and community groups and parents, were congratulated during the ceremony for their involvement in volunteering, serving as role models, helping neighbors and family members, supporting faith-based communities, participating in activities and striving for success in their schools.

Of the 75 students nominated throughout Lake County, 29 were from North Chicago.