Character Matters in Lake County announces recipients of 11th Annual Excellence in Character Awards

Character Matters in Lake County, a committee of the YES (Youth Empowerment for Success) Coalition, the Lake County Regional Office of Education and College of Lake County Southlake Campus, announce the recipients of the 11th annual Excellence in Character Award.

This year, 25 staff members and 36 students from early learning centers as well as elementary, middle and high schools across Lake County received this distinguished award, which is given to individuals who demonstrate outstanding character and citizenship in their schools and communities. The students and staff members were honored throughout the spring in their schools' year-end programs. Each award recipient received a certificate and a letter of congratulations. Students received Excellence in Character medals, and staff members received Excellence in Character lapel pins.

The Excellence in Character Award program demonstrates Character Matters' continuing efforts to recognize good character in our communities, and the quality of the nominees proves that Lake County Schools are full of dedicated individuals who make their communities better with their selfless actions and continuing commitment to "go the extra mile."

"It was an honor to review all of the nomination forms," said Ashley Ward, co-chair of the Character Matters in Lake County committee. "It also confirmed the importance of recognizing individuals who display outstanding character in their communities; these students and adults are powerful role models. We need their positive influences."

Lake County Students 2016 Excellence in Character Award Recipients

Mustafa Ahmed, Warren Township High School, Gurnee

David Atilano, Lincoln Early Learning Center, Mundelein

Trey Baker, Fremont Middle School, Mundelein

Kara Brooks, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Christina Carris, Deer Path Middle School East, Lake Forest

Michaélangelo Chazaro, Our Lady of Humility School, Beach Park

Cassandra Clark, Stanton Middle School, Fox Lake

Grace Hardy, Lake Bluff Middle School, Lake Bluff

Diana Hernandez-Maldonado, Hyde Park Elementary School, Waukegan

Dana Holbert, Grass Lake School, Antioch

Evan Jacobs, Fremont Elementary School, Mundelein

Kaleyana Jones, Greenwood Elementary School, Waukegan

Teryn Jones, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Leslie Juarez, Washington Elementary School, Waukegan

Alyssa Kawala, Lake Bluff Middle School, Lake Bluff

Rebekah Marassa, Grayslake Central High School, Grayslake

Sarah Markee, Lake Bluff Middle School, Lake Bluff

Lukas McCaulou, Mechanics Grove School, Mundelein

Kacey Meltzer, Emmons School, Antioch

Lizzie Messerschmidt, Barrington Middle School - Station Campus, Barrington

Serena Mielke, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Coel Morcott, Deer Path Middle School West, Lake Forest

John Ott, Lakes Community High School, Lake Villa

Xavier Padilla, Oakdale Elementary School, Waukegan

Jonathan Panos, Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest

Cheyenne Pellettiere, Fremont Middle School, Mundelein

Ananya Ramji, Pritchett Elementary School, Buffalo Grove

Adam Rinker, Tripp Elementary School, Buffalo Grove

Melissa Ruiz, Most Blessed Trinity Academy, Waukegan

Kyra Ryba, Fremont Intermediate School, Mundelein

Quinna Sheets, Avon Center School, Round Lake Beach

Corryn Smith, Grayslake North High School, Grayslake

Ember Stennett, Wauconda Grade School, Wauconda

Nahkee M. Uribe, Glen Flora Elementary School, Waukegan

Manali Vishnoi, Charles J. Caruso Middle School, Deerfield

Marcie Wright, Copeland Manor School, Libertyville

Lake County Staff Members 2016 Excellence in Character Award Recipients

Nick Aguina, Lakes Community High School, Lake Villa

Teresa Biondo, Most Blessed Trinity Academy, Waukegan

Lynne Cucciare, Avon Center School, Round Lake Beach

Angela Curtis, Grass Lake School, Antioch

Patricia Eliopoulos, Pritchett Elementary School, Buffalo Grove

Jan Felgenhauer, Emmons School, Antioch

Jamie Foate, Grayslake North High School, Grayslake

Maria Garcia, Greenwood Elementary School, Waukegan

Kerri Harris, Fremont Intermediate School, Mundelein

Nancy Herrera, Wauconda Grade School, Wauconda

Chelsea Hutchings, Mechanics Grove School, Mundelein

Julie Jermakowicz, Copeland Manor School, Libertyville

Kath Johnston, Fremont Elementary School, Mundelein

Elizabeth Kelly, Charles J. Caruso Middle School, Deerfield

Mark Landvick, Wauconda High School, Wauconda

Dale List, Rockland School, Libertyville

Jesus Medina, Tripp Elementary School, Buffalo Grove

Patricia Olsem, Lincoln Early Learning Center, Mundelein

Diane Ower, Oakdale Elementary School, Waukegan

Andrea Poglayen, Fremont Middle School, Mundelein

Glen Roeck, Grayslake Central High School, Grayslake

Salvire Smith, Hyde Park Elementary School, Waukegan

Amy Steffen, Our Lady of Humility School, Beach Park

David Tribley, Warren Township High School, Gurnee

Alison Williams, Wauconda High School, Wauconda