KidsMatter, together with Mayor A. George Pradel and the Naperville City Council, honored 20 teens for their significant community service efforts during the 2011 Naperville Youth Service Awards celebration on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Proud family and friends of the students packed the Council Chambers at the City Municipal Center in support of the outstanding youth.
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 19 local organizations and agencies that specifically provide young people with opportunities to volunteer their time and energy. The 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.
During the award ceremony the Mayor and members of 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 the Mayor and City Council.
The Young Naperville Singers performed musical selections and there was a post-award reception compliments of Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. This program was partially supported by Illinois Energy, Windows and Siding and The Education Center.
The Mayor, City Council and KidsMatter were proud to honor the 20 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 / Nominating Organization
Julia Rabin / NCO Youth & Family Services
Brianna Fitzhenry / DuPage Children's Museum
Abigail Carter / GiGi's Playhouse
Anderson Tien / Naperville Public Library
Ashley Wesolowski / Neuqua Valley Interact Club
Cathy Blewett / The Morton Arboretum
Jordyne Pippenger / Kidz Kabaret
Kandace Huebner / Feed My Starving Children
Shriya Shah / Edward Hospital
Bailey Curtis / Almost Home Kids
Carly Pomeroy / KidsMatter in partnership with DuPage PADS
Anthony Gedvilas / Western DuPage Special Recreation Association
Courtney Kent / Ready Set Ride
Sarah Mathews / Naperville Heritage Society/Naper Settlement
Maddy Nave / NCO Youth & Family Services
Matthew Spencer / Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry
Tara Ung / Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Alexis Mayfield / DuPage Senior Citizen Council
Chelsea Wang / Manor Care
Isaac Heine / Naperville Park District
