The Wheaton City Council honored this year’s recipients of the Good Citizens Award at the May 20, 2019 Council meeting, highlighting some outstanding individuals and groups who have made a difference in the community. The Wheaton Community Relations Commission oversees this annual program, which was developed to recognize residents for their acts of selflessness, generosity, and service to our community.
The following individuals and groups received the 2019 Good Citizens Award:
Group Category:
- In the Group Category, the award recipient was the District 200 Board of the Student Excellence Foundation, which works to support District 200 schools and empower all students to reach their greatest potential.
Student Category:
- Emma Armbrust, St. Francis High School, for her leadership and community service in school and extracurricular activities, including soccer, Student Ambassador Leadership Team, National Honor Society and more
- Emma Goebel, Wheaton Academy, for her service to families in the area through Replanted Ministry’s work assisting foster and adoptive children, the Puente del Pueblo program, teaching youth soccer camp and more
- Jenna Kortenhoeven, Wheaton North High School, for her leadership and service to others as a peer mentor for the special education program, Link Crew, FLOCK Club and more
- Karissa Paulsen, Wheaton Warrenville South High School, for leadership as co-president of Key Club, participating in many community service events, membership in the National Honor Society and Technical Theater
- Selam Kahsay, Wheaton North High School, for leadership through Key Club, Science Club, Pep Club, Speech Team, Track & Field, and extensive contributions to St. Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Church
Adult Category:
- Nancy Allured, founder of the Bicycle Advisory Commission, for substantial volunteer time given to community organizations, including Birding Club, People’s Resource Center and Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission
- Mehret Asgedom, an ESL and ELA teacher who serves her students and the local Eritrean-Ethiopian refugee community in both professional contexts through the Refugee Center Online, World Relief and more
- Laura Brady, a retired teacher and giving community servant who launched the food pantry at One Line Church, which serves more than 30 families in the area per week with free food
- Kristin Chmiel, whose significant time and volunteer efforts revitalized the Student Excellence Foundation, and for helping run the annual STEM Expo for hundreds of students
- Michael “Hawk” Gates, for dedicating his time as a volunteer ESL tutor with Literacy DuPage and assisting students in navigating life in America and our community
- Robert Jacobsen, for serving 20 years as Chairman of Milton Township Cemeteries Authority, founding Friends of Pioneer Cemeteries, and for curating and assembling the Wheaton Golf History exhibit at Arrowhead Golf Course
- Donald and Diane Mattison, for creating and running the Wheaton Symphony Orchestra for six decades, dedicating extensive time, hard work and their own finances for the nonprofit organization
- Vickie Miller, for serving on the Community Relations Commission since 2003, serving as a tutor for Outreach Community Center, providing meals for PADS, and service to Holy Cross Lutheran Church
- Doug Wicks, a volunteer coach for the Wheaton Rams, who also raises money and rides his bike from Akron, Illinois to Chicago to support families of police officers killed in the line of duty.
