CLC Announces 'Excellence In Character' Award Winners

From College Lake County: 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 14th annual Excellence in Character Award.

This year, 29 students and 23 staff members from Pre-K-12 educational institutions across Lake County received the 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 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, said, “We are so pleased when schools take the time to nominate deserving students and staff members across Lake County, allowing these individuals to be recognized for their exemplary character and the significant contributions they make to their school community. It is gratifying to read why the award recipients were chosen and we are honored to celebrate the impact they are making.”

The Excellence in Character Award program demonstrates Character Matters’ continuing efforts to celebrate positive character in our communities. The individuals were recognized for their selfless actions, generosity and compassion toward others.

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, noted, “It is an honor to be part of acknowledging outstanding individuals throughout our Lake County communities. There are many students and staff members who, through their commendable actions, help make their schools a positive place to learn and grow. This year’s award recipients’ demonstration of kindness and good character is truly inspirational.”

Lake County Students: 2019 Excellence in Character Award Recipients

• Ethan Ashworth, Waukegan High School, Waukegan
• Venus Calderon Briones, Wauconda Grade School, Wauconda
• Lionel Carapia, Gavin South Middle School, Ingleside
• Emma Corbett, Big Hollow Elementary, Ingleside
• Nolan Davis, Gavin Central School, Ingleside
• Emilio De Hoyos, Hyde Park Elementary School, Waukegan
• Maura Fitzgerald, Grayslake Central High School, Grayslake
• Allison Fritz, Stanton Middle School, Fox Lake
• Oscar Gonzalez, Beach Elementary, Round Lake
• Anthony Hanes, Daniel Wright Jr. High, Lincolnshire
• Apurva Kumar, Pritchett Elementary School, Buffalo Grove
• Tyree Lewis, Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School, Waukegan
• Karla Limon, Carman-Buckner Elementary School, Waukegan
• Raven May, Waukegan High School, Waukegan
• Ellen McGinn, Barrington Middle School - Station Campus, Barrington
• Kevion Moton, H.R. McCall School, Waukegan
• Mack Navickas, Kipling Elementary School, Deerfield
• Josiah Nieves, Waukegan High School, Waukegan
• Angela Ortiz, Grass Lake School, Antioch
• Alison Pasdiora, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch
• Jill Pieroni, Wauconda Grade School, Wauconda
• Brianna Rubo, Emmons School, Antioch
• Pamela Ruiz-Almanza, Greenwood Elementary, Waukegan
• Kamila Satarov, Tripp Elementary School, Buffalo Grove
• Ezra Shah, Meridian School, Buffalo Grove
• Hannah Thomson, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch
• Joanna Trujillo, Grant Community High School, Fox Lake
• Leo Vazquez, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch
• Thomas Weber, Antioch Upper Grade School, Antioch

Lake County Staff Members: 2019 Excellence in Character Award Recipients

• Kalee Alter, Carman-Buckner Elementary School, Waukegan
• Dave Castaneda, Tripp Elementary School, Buffalo Grove
• Angelica Corona, Whittier Elementary School, Waukegan
• Joye Crum, Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School, Waukegan
• Chris Frank, Walden Elementary School, Deerfield
• Barry Goldman, Grayslake Central High School, Grayslake
• Jennifer Goldman, H.R. McCall School, Waukegan
• Jennifer Hanley, Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School, Waukegan
• Sue Johnson, Kipling Elementary School, Deerfield
• Jessie Kulovsek, Beach Elementary School, Round Lake Beach
• Sarah Lescher, Gavin South Middle School, Ingleside
• Martha Martinez de Mesa, Greenwood Elementary, Waukegan
• Andrea Matuszewski, Gavin Central School, Ingleside
• Theresa Plascencia, Waukegan Public School, Waukegan
• Allison Rakickas, Meridian Middle School, Buffalo Grove
• Cynthia Roller, Big Hollow Elementary, Ingleside
• Zach Smith, Emmons School, Antioch
• Rob Stone, Cyd Lash Academy – SEDOL, Gages Lake
• Laurelle Stuart, Meridian Middle School, Buffalo Grove
• Linda Thigpen, Wauconda Grade School, Wauconda
• Davy Tomei, Grass Lake School, Antioch
• Mary Wong, Pritchett Elementary School, Buffalo Grove
• Patti Wright, Grant Community High School, Fox Lake

About College of Lake County:

College of Lake County is an innovative community college in Lake County, Ill. that transforms lives with its variety of accessible, quality education options. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, College of Lake County provides affordable options in a state-of-the-art setting close to home. A large student network, with small class sizes, provides advantages to our students on a career-related program or a path toward a transfer degree. We’re proud to serve the diverse needs of our community and student body. Connect to your future today at College of Lake County. For more information, visit www.clcillinois.edu.

This press release was produced by College Lake County. The views expressed here are the author’s own.