Recognition ceremony, luncheon honor Mundelein-area eighth grade students hard work

Eighth-grade students from Carl Sandburg, Fremont and West Oak middle schools were honored for their hard work Friday.

Lake County circuit court Judge Daniel B. Shanes and Mundelein Police Chief Eric Guenther recognized the students for academic achievement and/or behavioral improvements this school year.

"Many of our students achieve in different ways, and it is important for our community to recognize and support their achievement," Shanes said in a news release. "Recognizing kids who demonstrate great effort and improvement at school provides vital support and boosts their ability to excel. This is an opportunity to applaud their success and encourage them to stay away from peers who may lead them astray."

In the morning, the students and parents attended a recognition ceremony hosted by Shanes at the Lake County courthouse in Waukegan.

That was followed by a celebratory luncheon for the students and their families at the Mundelein Police Department. The annual student recognition program started in 2011.