Neighbors in the news: Buffalo Grove Park District fills board vacancy with Hetal Wallace
• The Buffalo Grove Park District board of commissioners selected Hetal Wallace to fill the vacancy left by former Commissioner Adriane Johnson, who resigned from the board with her appointment to the Illinois Senate.
Wallace, who will fill the remainder of Johnson's term until April 2023, holds a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign.
She has been involved in a variety of Buffalo Grove Park District programs, including the Studio 83 dance program, the Hurricanes Swim Team, and theater productions at the Community Arts Center with Big Deal Productions.
"The value of a good park district is measured by how much it enriches the lives of its community members, and I have been nothing but grateful for what Buffalo Grove Park District has offered. A seat at the table where the decisions of how these programs run will be a great learning and growing opportunity," said Wallace.
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On Monday, Aug. 29, Amelia Faulstick joined the Gurnee Park District as Performing Arts coordinator.
Faulstick, who began her dance career as a child at Galina Dance Studio in Des Plaines, attended Southern Illinois University, where she was a member of its dance company. She completed her bachelor's degree at Columbia College, Chicago, majoring in performing arts management with an emphasis in dance.
Outside of the classroom, Faulstick continued her dance education by performing with different Chicago-based companies - Joel Hall, Gus Giordando, Hubbard Street, and Ruth Page.
Post-graduation, Faulstick became the dance director for Maine South High School in Park Ridge. Today, Faulstick mentors students through the choreographic process while producing and directing large dance productions.
Throughout her 18 years at Maine South, she has become a member of the Illinois High School Dance Festival committee.
Faulstick is also entering her second season as the head coach for Carmel Catholic High School's Competitive Dance team.
• The White House recognized Donna Gulley of Northbrook with a 2022 President's Volunteer Service Award for her efforts on behalf of global disaster relief organization ShelterBox USA.
ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and household supplies to individuals around the world who have been forced from their homes by disaster or armed conflicts. With the support of Gulley last year, the global charity provided supplies to 143,000 people in 11 countries, or 28,600 households, including its largest response to date in the Philippines to Typhoon Rai last December.
"ShelterBox's lifesaving work is only possible because of our inspiring supporters like Donna Gulley, whose service ensures families made homeless by disaster and conflict have access to essential shelter and supplies.," said Kerri Murray, president of ShelterBox USA.
The President's Volunteer Service Award is a special recognition presented by the White House. It is part of a national program created in 2003 through the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation for individuals of all ages who contribute at least 100 hours to volunteer activities.
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