Character Matters in Lake County announces recipients of the 13th Annual Excellence in Character Award

Character Matters in Lake County, a committee of the YES (Youth Empowerment for Success) Coalition and the Lake County Regional Office of Education announce the recipients of the 13th annual Excellence in Character Award.

This year, 32 students and 26 staff members from Pre-K-12 educational institutions 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, hailing from elementary, middle and high schools as well as two charter schools, a learning center and an academy, 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 corresponding lapel pins.

Ashley Ward, co-chair of the Character Matters in Lake County committee, remarked, "It is rewarding to see so many schools participate in this program year after year, and we are honored to hear the recipients' stories. Lake County is full of students and staff members who go above and beyond to help make their classrooms and schools welcoming and safe places to learn and grow. Thanks to all who have contributed to the development of the people on this list. It takes a village."

The Excellence in Character Award program demonstrates Character Matters' continuing efforts to celebrate positive character in our communities. The attributes of this year's nominees prove that Lake County schools are full of outstanding individuals who are highly regarded for their selfless actions, their generosity and compassion toward others.

"The award recipients are incredible contributors to their school communities," noted Dr. Viki Cvitkovic, dean of the Southlake Campus and CLC Online at the College of Lake County and fellow Character Matters in Lake County co-chair. "Their demonstration of kindness and good character serves as an inspiration to others. It is an honor to be part of recognizing them."

Lake County Students 2018 Excellence in Character Award Recipients

Monserrath Aguirre-Lagunas, Hyde Park Elementary School, Waukegan

Eric Beauchamp, Fremont Intermediate School, Mundelein

Samantha Bradley, Grass Lake School, Antioch

Hope Brown, Lakes Community High School, Lake Villa

Paula Diaz, Grant Community High School, Fox Lake

Devon Dyum, Fremont Middle School, Mundelein

Connar Eaton, Fremont Elementary School, Mundelein

Courtney Fitzgerald, Deer Path Middle School East, Lake Forest

Evelin Gallardo, Greenwood Elementary School, Waukegan

Holly Garcia, Gavin South Middle School, Ingleside

Julia Hoodack, Kipling Elementary School, Deerfield

Kendall Johnson, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Janhavi Joshi, Aptakisic Junior High School, Buffalo Grove

Ellie Kasche, Daniel Wright Junior High, Lincolnshire

Connor Keppen, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Marialuisa Lopez Guifaro, Carman-Buckner Elementary School, Waukegan

Brayan Martinez-Montesinos, Pritchett Elementary School, Buffalo Grove

Aroterick "Ricky" McLaughlin, Warren Township High School, Gurnee

Lukas Mitchell, Wauconda Grade School, Wauconda

Ryan Moens, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Gabriel Ocampo, Learn 6 Charter School, Great Lakes

Abby Pecoraro, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Jonathan Petro, Stanton Middle School, Fox Lake

Hailey Rockoff, Meridian Middle School, Buffalo Grove

Emily Sechrist, Barrington Middle School - Station Campus, Barrington

Patrick Sheehan, Emmons School, Antioch

Spencer Sica, Gavin Central School, Ingleside

William Steck, Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest

Sona Surya, Tripp Elementary School, Buffalo Grove

Nicholas Tse, Prairie Crossing Charter School, Grayslake

Samuel Villaraza, Lincoln Early Learning Center, Mundelein

Ciani Williams, AJ Katzenmaier Academy, North Chicago

Lake County Staff Members 2018 Excellence in Character Award Recipients

Elvira Alvarez, Murphy Elementary School, Round Lake Park

Juan Alvarez, AJ Katzenmaier Academy, North Chicago

Amanda Ambrose, Gavin Central School, Ingleside

Jeremy Anderson, Grant Community High School, Fox Lake

Barb Comstock, Lakes Community High School, Lake Villa

Michael Dean, Gavin South Middle School, Ingleside

Adam DeBaker, Warren Township High School, Gurnee

Melissa Duitsman, Fremont Elementary School, Mundelein

Barb Floyd, Countryside Elementary School, Barrington

Janet Foltz, Greenwood Elementary School, Waukegan

Bridget Geary, Meridian Middle School, Buffalo Grove

Annie Gernady, Prairie Crossing Charter School, Grayslake

Dawn Heath, Fremont Intermediate School, Mundelein

Janice Hershkovich, Tripp Elementary School, Buffalo Grove

Lisa Karpiel, Emmons School, Antioch

Stacy Kingery, Grass Lake School, Antioch

Lynn Kozicki, Pritchett Elementary School, Buffalo Grove

Sue Laspisa, Fremont Middle School, Mundelein

Carlos Mesa, Hyde Park Elementary School, Waukegan

Mary Pum Ousset, Lincoln Early Learning Center, Mundelein

Xochitl Sanchez, Wauconda Grade School, Wauconda

Jeanne Sayner, Kipling Elementary School, Deerfield

Vicki Sostarich, Barrington Middle School - Station Campus, Barrington

Erinn Vincent, Daniel Wright Junior High School, Lincolnshire

Laurel Williams, Spaulding School, Gurnee

Ashley Zeinz, Adler Park School, Libertyville