Illinois Jaycees receives national awards at JCI USA year-end celebration
The Illinois Jaycees recently announced several national awards given out by JCI USA at the 2022 Year-End Celebration recognizing several of the chapters, members, and the state organization.
The award ceremony was held the March 18 event in Nashville, Tennessee.
More than 30 awards and recognitions were given out honoring a variety of members, chapters, and projects during 2022.
The Illinois Jaycees was recognized as one the top three state organizations in 2022 and received the George O. Wilson Memorial Award.
The award is judged based on measuring the state's planning, implementation, and impact of programming.
2022 State President Eric Hiatt was recognized as one of the Outstanding State President receiving the Allen Whitfield Memorial Award.
The Illinois Jaycees also was presented with the Dennis Hamilton Memorial Award for Best State Flagship Program for two projects conducted in 2022.
The award recognizes up to three flagship programs conducted by state organizations that contribute to the JCI USA mission and vision.
Halloween Happenings-Jaycee Kids Camp and Leadership Summit Virtual Watch Party with United to Beat Malaria received these awards.
The Palatine Jaycees was recognized as one the top three local organizations in the country with the Clarence H. Howard Memorial Award. The award is based on the chapter's plan of action and programming.
State awards
• Best State Organization - George O. Wilson Memorial Award: Illinois
• Most Outstanding State Presidents -Allen Whitfield Memorial Award: Eric Hiatt
• Best State Flagship Program -Dennis Hamilton Memorial Award presented to Halloween Happenings-Jaycee Kids Camp
• Best State Flagship Program-Dennis Hamilton Memorial Award presented to Halloween Leadership Summit Virtual Watch Party with United to Beat Malaria
• Outstanding State Membership Director (Region Director): Lanna Bartko
• Special Partner - Rob Ray Memorial Award presented to: Andrew Medlin, Special Partner to Lanna Bartko
Chapter awards
• Most Outstanding Local Organizations - Clarence H. Howard Memorial Award: Palatine Jaycees
• Visionary Chapter Award: Springfield Jaycees
Member awards
• Most Outstanding Local Presidents - Charles Kulp, Jr. Memorial Award: Lindsay Schubel, Palatine Jaycees
• Most Outstanding Local Member-John. H. Armbruster Memorial Award: Rick Tracy, Palatine Jaycees
• Most Outstanding New Member-C. William Brownfield Memorial Award: Amanda Carlstrom, Palatine Jaycees
• Most Outstanding Local Chapter Officer-Heidi Juttner Memorial Award: Jesica Dick, Menard County Jaycees
• Most Outstanding Local Chapter Officer-Heidi Juttner Memorial Award: Patrick Meyer, Springfield Jaycees
• Empowerment Award: Emily Reyes, Palatine Jaycees
• Empowerment Award: Emily Watts, Chatham Jaycees
Local Project
• The Outstanding Local Skill Development Program: Super Couponing by the Palatine Jaycees
• An Outstanding Local Growth & Development Program: Jaycees on Tap Social by the Champaign Urbana Jaycees
• An Outstanding Local Personal Skills Development Program: Emergency Response by the Palatine Jaycees
• An Outstanding Inter-Organization Collaboration Project: Learning Community Needs by the Springfield Jaycees
• An Outstanding Local UN SDG Program: STEAM Fair by the Palatine Jaycees
• An Outstanding Local Community Development Program (Dr. Jerry Bruce Memorial Award): Bruegala 2022 by the Bloomington Normal Jaycees
• An Outstanding Local Community Development Program (Dr. Jerry Bruce Memorial Award): Hometown Fest by the Palatine Jaycees
• A Best Local Peace Project: Levitt AMP Grant Awards by the Springfield Jaycees
RISE UP Presidential Medallions went to Vanessa Birchler, Jenna Broom, Anthony Colleti, Megan O'Brien, Ellyn Thorson and Dawn Stangle
The 10th Degree Certificate of Achievement went to: Casey Bridges, JCI Collinsville; and Sarah McKillop, Palatine Jaycees.
In addition, Civic Leadership Certification was given to the Illinois Jaycees, Bloomington Normal Jaycees, Champaign Urbana Jaycees, and Palatine Jaycees.
"I am so proud of our members and chapters to be recognized for all the impact that was made during 2022 throughout the state," said Eric Hiatt, 91st State President of the Illinois Jaycees. "The Illinois Jaycees being presented the George O. Wilson Memorial Award as a top state organization is all because of the hard work of our members across the state.
"I would like to congratulate all the members and chapters recognized and thank the entire Illinois membership for 'Igniting Your Passion' during the past year," Hiatt said. "It has been an honor leading the Illinois Jaycees during 2022," said Eric Hiatt, 91st State President of the Illinois Jaycees.
Leadership development through community involvement has been the basis of the Jaycees since its inception in 1920. The goal of the nonprofit organization is to provide members a means to reach their full potential through networking and personal growth opportunities. The Jaycees is ideal for proactive young people, ages 18 to 40 to enhance a variety of skills as they work together to implement civic and individual development activities in their local communities and chapters. Illinois has one of the largest Jaycee member populations in the United States. Visit www.illinoisjaycees.com for more information on the Illinois Jaycees or to be connected to a local chapter.