Hanover Township honors local leaders at reception
The Hanover Township Committee on Youth held its Celebration of Leadership Awards Banquet May 17, at the Township Senior Center.
The committee presented awards in five different categories. Award recipients were: Khadijah Arastu of Timber Trails Elementary, Rising Star Award winner; Eugene Yong Jin Lim of Sycamore Trails Elementary, Rising Star Award winner; Jasmine Holloway of Tefft Middle School, Junior Leader Award winner; Adam Bajorek of Streamwood High School, High School Leader Award winner; Daniela Manzano of Gifford Street High School, High School Leader Award winner; Hannah Gronowski, Community Adult Leader of Youth Award winner; Christopher Seuffer Sr., Community Adult Leader of Youth Award winner; and Luis Fernando De Leon of Laurel Hill Elementary, Principal of the Year.
"Selfless community service and volunteer leadership is one of the cornerstones of what makes our community great," said Craig Essick, Hanover Township Trustee and committee liaison. "Each of the award winners has worked tirelessly to make a positive difference for youth and for the benefit of the community."
Rising Star Award winner Eugene Lim, a sixth-grader at Sycamore Trails Elementary, was named Northern Illinois Food Bank's 2015 Youth Volunteer of the Year and was featured on WBBM News Radio 780 AM, the Daily Herald, Boy Scouts of America, among others, with his story on making a difference through volunteering.
Rising Star Award winner Khadijah Arastu at Timber Trails Elementary is an active member of the Student Council at her school, where she engages in community projects such as local food drives and Red Ribbon Week. She also led a program at the school combating bullying and promoting positive communication with the posting of positive messages encouraging self-worth around the school.
Junior Leader Award winner Jasmine Holloway, an eighth-grader at Tefft Middle School, has been writing books since the age of 9, and recently started her own business selling soy wax candles. She is a leader among peers at school and involved in extracurricular activities such as gymnastics and helping out at her church.
High School Leader Award winner Daniela Manzano of Gifford Street High School is a straight "A" student consistently on the dean's list, while also taking on many responsibilities with her family. She participates in several after school activities such as book club, soccer, math club and karate.
High School Leader Award winner Adam Bajorek of Streamwood High School is a Mathlete, community volunteer through Key Club, DECA (business club) member and is a three sport athlete. He also serves on the Principal's Advisory Committee and volunteers as a tutor at the high school. Adam also volunteers at his church.
Community Adult Leader of Youth Award winner Hannah Gronowski is a 21-year-old who started an organization called "Generation Distinct" to challenge young people to rise above low expectations, do hard things, and make a difference in their community.
She actively speaks at large youth gatherings, mentors at-risk youth, and recently spent time in the Dominican Republic teaching physical education and volleyball in three different schools while visiting orphanages and host homes in the area.
Community Adults Leader of Youth Award winner Christopher Michael Seuffer, Sr., is the assistant Scoutmaster and advancements coordinator of Boy Scout Troop 199. He has taken many additional training courses to better himself as a leader, to educate the Scouts on teamwork and leadership, and is currently training to become a Scoutmaster.
Lastly, Principal of the Year Award winner Luis Fernando DeLeon was selected for his leadership at Laurel Hill Elementary School. DeLeon leads by example as he works alongside his staff, providing encouragement and motivating staff to put the children first in all decision-making processes.
Though new to Laurel Hill, DeLeon has transformed the Hanover Park school community into a positive, student-centered, family-oriented place of learning in a few short years.
COY is a township advisory committee comprised of youth and adult volunteers that meet once a month. The mission of COY is to be a catalyst for promoting well-being among township youth and families through family education, outreach and the fostering of community connections, with an emphasis on positive youth development.
COY is accepting applications for interested youth and adult members. Applications can be picked up at the township office, 250 S. Route 59, in Bartlett, or downloaded online at www.hanover-township.org.
To learn more about COY or their events, visit www.hanover-township.org or call (630) 483-5799.
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