Educators take center stage, as Arlington Heights honors unsung heroes

Everyday Herald correspondent

The Arlington Heights Hearts of Gold award ceremony returned Sunday right after a two-yr hiatus, and its target remained the exact: to shine a light-weight on the unsung heroes in the village.

Descriptions of each working day people building a big difference in their local community resonated as a result of the dining area at Rolling Green Place Club in Arlington Heights, inspiring the a lot more than 200 men and women in attendance.

“In Arlington Heights, we are regularly blessed with so many fantastic folks who give their time and talents for the profit of some others,” Mayor Thomas Hayes claimed.

Associates of the village’s Specific Events Fee organize the awards each and every 12 months, following getting nominations from citizens. In all, the awards showcase volunteers, neighbors, senior citizens and learners, as well as educators, business enterprise leaders and nonprofits.

Among the 11 winners was a immediate example of having to pay it forward, when St. Viator Superior University senior Emma Ziebka was awarded the Younger Winner Coronary heart of Gold, shortly right after her previous junior higher university instructor, Mike Bilski, gained the Educator Coronary heart of Gold award.

“He’s this kind of a sort teacher, who often place pupils first,” Ziebka stated of Bilski, her language arts instructor at St. James University.

In reflecting on her numerous management roles at St. Viator, her church and in the group, Ziebka echoed her teacher’s philosophy, indicating: “It can be just a joy to place other men and women to start with and see the joy in their faces.”

Numerous of those people regarded this calendar year were lecturers, school employees users and 1 nurse, reflecting some of the actual heroes of the pandemic.

Jeff Javurek was named the Mentor Coronary heart of Gold for his 50 yrs in instruction, together with 33 many years as a math instructor and the last 17 decades as a particular schooling assistant, all at Thomas Center Faculty.

Distinctive Occasions Fee member Kevin Seifert launched the Heroic Coronary heart of Gold Winner, Frank Rojas, or “Mr. Frank,” as students at Windsor Elementary School contact him. As head services supervisor, they change to him for a selection of needs, which includes maintaining their lecture rooms secure and clear for in-man or woman discovering.

“He’s the school’s variation of a Swiss Military knife,” Seifert claimed. “He does every thing.”

Laura Monahan was named the Community Spirit Coronary heart of Gold. As a Spanish trainer at Hersey High University for 20 a long time, she also serves as teaching facilitator for Northwest Suburban Higher School District 214, serving to all pupils get the very best education and learning doable.

As a nurse at Northwest Neighborhood Medical center, Jody Schaaf cares for infants in the neonatal intense treatment device. But she also thrives on fostering traditions and making reminiscences for small children in her Greenbrier neighborhood. She was named the Ideal Neighbor Coronary heart of Gold.

In accurate volunteer manner, Betsy Kmiecik was not equipped to attend to take her Volunteer Heart of Gold award. She was on a assistance vacation in Guatemala with the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights.

Kmiecik has led the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, the Arlington Heights Historic Culture, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Basis, the Rotary Club and the Metropolis Accomplishing Arts Centre.

Carol Gabrielsen gained the Pam Stocking Heart of Gold Award for her leadership in fundraising for the Northwest Unique Recreation Affiliation, which serves youngsters and grown ups with disabilities, even though Gloria Amling gained the Kenneth Bonder Beautification Award for her vision in growing the Arlington Heights Farmer’s Market place.

Anne Mura won the Young at Heart award for her 3,000 volunteer hrs at the Arlington Heights Senior Center, lending her business know-how and technologies knowledge.

Finally, Liz Shrenk gained the Business Leadership Award for her innovation with A little something Blue Photography. When the pandemic diminished her marriage pictures small business, she pivoted with “porch sessions” and “gratitude periods” as a way to have interaction with shoppers.

“This afternoon, we rejoice this shared drive,” Shrenk stated, “to shift forward as a local community of love — and generosity.”