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Mt. Prospect celebrates its 'Shining Stars' at Celestial Celebration

Each year, the Mount Prospect Special Events Commission honors individuals and organizations that help make Mount Prospect a great place in which to live and work.

They are celebrated as "Shining Stars" and recognized at a gala banquet. The 22nd Annual Celestial Celebration was held last month and drew 400 people, helping raise money for other events the commission puts on during the year.

"This tradition has a rich history, as it was first started at the 75th anniversary of the village," said Mayor Arlene Juracek.

"It is an event many residents and business leaders look forward to each year. It brings people together to celebrate those who have done so much for our community."

The Shining Star Awards are presented on the basis of nomination by community leaders, business people, residents and others.

Here's a look at this year's award winners:

• Best Business Award: Stay Fit Physical Therapy and its founder Diana Sahakian

Diana and her Stay Fit team are active members of the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association, and Diana and her husband, Rafi, are members of the Village of Mount Prospect Sister Cities Commission.

Stay Fit has hosted events to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Research and sponsored races to raise funds for the Mount Prospect Public Library. Each month, Stay Fit holds a luncheon and Bible study at which products are gathered for Heathers House, a facility that helps pregnant or new moms get on their feet.

• Good, Better, Best Neighbor: Bob and Louise Kubycheck

Bob and Louise have lived in Mount Prospect for the last 35 years. Bob and Louise are the "go-to" couple for anything their neighbors need. Bob, a plumber by trade, helps out with plumbing questions, home repairs or minor improvements. During the snowy months, he clears off driveways, sidewalks, decks and porches. If you need a ride, Bob is the neighborhood chauffeur.

Louise is the cooking and baking expert, delivering meals or baked goods to neighbors for no particular reason, helping out many with grocery runs or trips to the mall. She lends an ear when someone needs to vent, unwind, laugh or just to cry a little.

• Home Town Award: The Rev. Russ Bechtold

Bechtold has been serving Mount Prospect for 34 years, and has been chaplain for the police and fire departments since 2002, exemplifying the village motto, "Where Friendliness is a Way of Life."

• Stand and Deliver Award, Karen Gubbins

The award is given to someone who uses their position as a positive influence to enrich the lives of young people in Mount Prospect in some meaningful way. Gubbins, life skills teacher at Holmes Junior High School, several years ago launched a Day of Service to teach students the importance of giving back to the community.

• Rising Star Award, Nolan Hahn

The award recognizes a student who goes beyond that which is expected of them. Nolan, a third-grader at Lions Park School, is a very determined young man, who, among other activities, has been making and selling jewelry at the Mount Prospect farmers market to raise money for the Historical Society renovation of Central School.

• There Ought To Be More Like You Award, Janice Farley

Janice, a resident for more than 40 years and former first lady of Mount Prospect, always lends a helping hand. She has been involved in the Boy Scouts Suburban Council, the Mount Prospect Senior Chorus, the Mount Prospect Women's Club, the Sister Cities Commission, the committee for the 75th anniversary celebration and now the committee for the upcoming 100th anniversary.

She was a member of the Special Events Commissions from 1995 to 2014. She's also very active at Trinity United Methodist Church, where, according to a nominator, "she has done everything but preach a sermon."

• Volunteers Volunteer Award: Jack and Eloise Decarlo

The De Carlos have lived in Mount Prospect for more than 50 years. They are members of Grace Lutheran Church, where they are very active working with both adults and children, helping pack meals for the "Feed the Starving Children" and playing Santa for the preschool children during the holidays.

They are active in Prospect Moose Lodge 660, where Jack works as a cashier for their dinner functions, and for the past 35 years has also played the role of Santa. Eloise has even been Mrs. Claus once or twice.

For the past 14 years, Jack has been teaching the "rules of the road" at both the Wheeling Township and Arlington Heights senior centers.

Eloise was a longtime member of the Mount Prospect Nurses Club and is on the committee for the NCH Cancer Survivors. They are both cancer survivors and appreciate the support from this group for the last 16 years.

• The Star Spangled Award, John "Dutch" DeGroot

Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John "Dutch" DeGroot has been active as service officer with the VFW and American Legion in Mount Prospect, handling questions on benefits and contacting widows of veterans to make sure they get benefits they are entitled to. He volunteered in 1968 and served in the Vietnam War. Then, in 1988, he enlisted in the Army Reserve, but transferred to the Air Force. In 2007, he volunteered to serve in Iraq, where he used his skills to detect and eliminate 37 insurgents and 12 weapons caches.

• Champion for Youth Award: Jeremy Morton

Morton is the fine arts coordinator for Prospect High School. He spends many hours coaching students to be confident, to take chances, and to develop their talents, whether it is on stage or behind the curtains. He gives countless hours of his free time to his students and their families. He also is fine arts coordinator for Northwest Suburban High School District 214, where he reinstated and directed the districtwide summer musical.

• Open Arms Award: Jeanne Foster

Jean Foster, a resident of Mount Prospect her whole life, is one of those neighbors who is not afraid to lend a helping hand. Her neighbor stated, "Jean is a person with a big heart ... so much that her heart is big enough to accommodate all who need her."

She cooks people dinners, takes them shopping, shovels their drive, drives them to the train station, or just provides needed company. She has been involved in PADS, Prospect Hish School Service Club events, Timothy Ministries and Feed My Starving Children. She has also been a Girl Scout leader.

Jeremy Morton, who received the Champion for Youth Award for his work as the fine arts coordinator for Prospect High School, poses with his award. Courtesy of Mike Zarnek
Bob and Louise Kubycheck, who have lived in Mount Prospect for the last 35 years, received a Shining Star for being Good, Better, Best Neighbors. Courtesy of Mike Zarnek
Shining Star trophies were handed out to individuals who make Mount Prospect a great place to live. Courtesy of Mike Zarnek
A variety of items were offered in a silent auction at the 22nd Annual Celestial Celebration to raise money for the Mount Prospect Special Events Commission. Courtesy of Mike Zarnek
A variety of items were offered in a silent auction at the 22nd Annual Celestial Celebration to raise money for the Mount Prospect Special Events Commission. Courtesy of Mike Zarnek
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