Mount Prospect's 2019 Shining Star Award Winners Announced
Mount Prospect's 2019 Shining Star Award Winners have been announced! The awards will be presented at the 26th Annual Shining Stars Gala, to be held Saturday, February 2, 2019 from 6:00 pm to midnight at The Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Drive in Palatine.
Winners of the 2019 Shining Star Awards
Home Town Award - Jacob Tagge - Mail Carrier
Friendly service and goes above and beyond for his customers. Has not missed a day of work in 5 years.
Beautify Mount Prospect Award - Sherry Grobe, Monarch's Facebook Group
Sherry began a Facebook group to save butterflies.
Open Arms Award - Pastor Bo Graham, St. Paul Lutheran Church
Pastor Bo began the program Breakfast with Babies at St Paul.
Community Partner Award - Robert Bosch Tools
Community Partner with not only School District 26 but many others. Bosch has given funds to sponsor STEM, coding and 21st century classrooms.
Stand and Deliver Award - Laura Kushner-Gammons, Euclid School Principal
Laura began and implemented many programs at her diverse school.
There Ought to be More Like This Award - Erin Robinson, Founder of Made by Mary
Made by Mary is a local group that delivers treats to residents going through a difficult time.
Unsung Hero Award - Mike Zarnek
Photographer for many village events, CERT member and overall very well-liked community member.
Champion for Youth - Sarah Hogan, Assistant Principal Euclid School
Sarah was a social worker for over 19 years, she began and continues to run the mentor program. She connects with local business as volunteers.
Star Spangled Banner Award - Loren Helwink
Loren headed the efforts to get a Mount Prospect "Killed in Action" Pillar created at the Veteran's Memorial at Lions Park and researched the 14 Mount Prospect residents who died while serving their country.
Invigorated Youth Award - Vito Vitale, Boy Scout Leader
Vito is a long time Boy Scout leader and assistant scoutmaster who has continued to work with scouts long past the time his children stopped participating.
The Shining Stars Gala honors Mount Prospect's Shining Stars - individuals and organizations that help make our community a great place in which to live and work. The winners are selected by the Mount Prospect Special Events Commission from nominations submitted in the fall by members of the community. The categories cover a wide range of interest areas and are designed especially to seek out individuals who do things that often go unnoticed.
Tickets for the event are now on sale at www.mountprospect.org. Tickets are $65 per person before January 20, $75 per person after January 20. The ticket deadline is January 30, 2019. The evening includes dinner, open bar, dancing until midnight to Orchestra 33 Band. Everyone is welcome!