Mokena District 159 Names Galaxy Award Winners

MOKENA, IL — Five people have been awarded the Galaxy Award from Mokena School District 159. The district said the program is designed to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of District 159 employees, students, parents, community members and community organizations.

The five winners of the Galaxy Award are: Officer Tom Czarnecki, teacher Debi Blank, bus driver Mrs. Kaminski, Linda Fox and the Mokena Woman's Club.

The district said the selection committee for the awards included Board of Education President Mike Everett, Mokena Educational Foundation President Laurie Kornmuller, the Mokena Parent‐Teacher Association President Kelly Chlebek, District 159 Community Relations Coordinator Nicole Swanberg and Superintendent Don White.

The team received 23 nominations, the district said.

The following information was given by the nominators and provided by the district.

Officer Tom Czarnecki

Czarnecki is a police officer with Mokena Police Department and teaches classes to first grade students and is also the DARE officer to fifth graders.

"He is a superhero to the students and staff at Mokena School District," the nomination states. Czarnecki also holds classes with junior high students about drugs and the use of social media, as well as taking part in active shooter and lockdown drills.

"The students and staff have grown to love his presence in Mokena school district and that is important to have someone they trust and can form a bond with," the nomination says. Czarneck is also part of the nonprofit Mokena Miracles, which gives back to families in need in the Mokena community at Christmas.

Debi Blank

Debi Blank organizes Volley for a Cure for the district, an event which has teachers playing volleyball against Mokena police officers and firefighters. The profits go toward cancer research organizations. Blank is also on the board of Mokena Miracles.

"Whether it is in the classroom, at the fire department, in the 4th of July parade, on the volleyball court, or playing an elf in her charity organization, you can always count on her to have a smile on her face and love in her heart," the nomination states.

Mrs. Kaminski

Mrs. Kaminski is a bus driver with the district.

"Mrs. Kaminski went out of her way to help our daughter feel comfortable and
welcome on that big yellow bus and at the big elementary school. Whether it was a warm hug,
a high‐five, or asking about her weekend, Mrs. K has built a meaningful relationship with our
daughter, and I am sure all of the others that she carefully transports to and from school every
day," the nomination states.

Linda Fox

Linda Fox founded nonprofit Heartland Service Dogs, which provides services dogs to people with disabilities.

"Linda’s dedication and devotion to provide specialized training for each of her puppies by teaching them specific tasks to one day become working service dogs is seen in each dog she freely gives to people in need," the nomination states.

"Linda demonstrates such devotion to healing others that she is a perfect representation of who we want to represent our community."

Mokena Woman's Club

The Mokena Woman's Club started in March 1960 and has awarded scholarship totaling $167,000 during its tenure.

"In recent years, we receive 20 plus applicants each year and are currently awarding $12,000 in scholarships between Lincoln Way East, Lincoln Way Central, and Providence High Schools," the nomination states. "Scholarship recipients are encouraged to provide feedback to the club on their first year of college experience and often remark on how important the scholarship was in helping them pursue their education."

The club also sponsors two sophomore students each year for the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar. Other scholarships offered the Lorado Taft Art Scholarship, Hamilton Ridge Music Scholarship, Vina A. Miller Memorial Scholarship for Education, Arthur Grant Smith Drama Scholarship, Cottage Park Ridge Vocational Scholarships for Girls, and Lincoln Lodge Vocational Scholarship for Boys.