2017 Naperville Youth Service Awards

Mayor Steve Chirico, the City Council of Naperville, and KidsMatter honored 22 local student volunteers with Youth Service Awards for Outstanding Service to the Community
on Monday, November 20, 2017.

Naperville, IL: KidsMatter, together with Mayor Chirico and the Naperville City Council, honored 22 young people for their significant community service efforts during the 2017 Naperville Youth Service Awards celebration on Monday, November 20.

Since 1993, the City of Naperville has presented the Naperville Youth Service Award to recognize and honor outstanding volunteer efforts by local Naperville area students and to encourage all youth to get involved in community service.

Nominations for this year’s awards came from 21 local organizations and agencies that specifically provide young people with opportunities to volunteer their time and energy. These volunteer opportunities give teens a sense of purpose, provide them with valuable hands-on experiences, and ignite the volunteer spirit that has helped make Naperville the thriving community it is today. Proud family and friends of the students packed the Council Chambers at the City Municipal Center in support of the outstanding youth.

During the award ceremony members of the Council honored each individual student and also recognized their nominating organization. Each student received a Naperville Youth Service Award Pin, a framed certificate and a custom frame into which they will be able to place a photo of themselves receiving their award from Mayor Chirico.

The Young Naperville Singers performed musical selections and there was a post-award reception and dinner compliments of Lou Malnati’s Downtown Naperville Pizzeria. This program was partially supported by Ryan Hill Realty, Water Street District, Edgewood Clinical Services, The Education Center, and SECA.

Mayor Chirico, the City Council and KidsMatter were proud to honor the 22 students who have given their time, energy and heart to make a positive difference in the lives of other people and to make Naperville a better place in which to live.

See below for a complete list of both the nominating organizations and the award recipients.

Youth Award Recipient(s) / Nominating Organization

Imani Melendez and Peter Mullin/ 360 Youth Services

Isha Srinivasan/ The Alive Center

Peyton Arens/ DuPage Children’s Musuem

Jack Andringa/ DuPagePads

Erin Schiemann/ Edward Hospital & Health Services

Abby Peterson/ Exchange Club of Naperville

Jory Haddad/Fair Lady Productions, Inc.

Jack Grimmer/ Forest Preserve District of Will County

Amanda Brennan/ Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

Morgan Ceresa/Buddy Break at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Clare Bumpus/ KidsMatter

Lillian Fu/ Loaves and Fishes Community Services

Marissa Burk/ Naper Settlement

Adira Safar/ Naperville Park District

Daniel Casey/ Naperville Public Library

Celine Afshari/Ready Set Ride

Samia Abdul-Qadir/Ronald McDonald Family Room in Edward Hospital

Steven Shi/The Merry Tutor

Kamden Benbow-Niemier/ The Morton Arboretum

Matt Hatch/ Young Hearts for Life

Brynne Winiarski/Young Life – Naperville and Aurora