Each year the Mount Prospect Special Events Commission honors individuals and organizations that help to make our community a great place in which to live and work. We honor them as Shining Stars and recognize them at a gala Celestial Celebration banquet. The 15th annual
Celestial Celebration was Saturday, February 2, 2008.

View photo slideshow of the evening's festivities

“Best Business Partner Award” - Robert Bosch Tool Corporation
The Robert Bosch Tool Corporation is one of Mount Prospect’s largest employers, yet they touch the community like a caring neighbor and friend. They have partnered with the District 57 Education Foundation and have contributed over $45,000 to the foundation since they have been in Mount Prospect. The Bosch Company has a long history of philanthropy especially in the areas of Math, Science, and Reading. In Germany, The Robert Bosch Tool Corporation’s home turf, they are well known for the company’s social responsibility. The Learning Resource Center at the newly re-opened Westbrook School exists in large part thanks to a sizable donation from Bosch.

 

“The World is a Better Place Award” - Claude Bjork
Claude Bjork has been volunteering his time to Trinity United Methodist Church since he moved to Mount Prospect in 1966. Over those nearly 42 years, Claude has done so many things around the Church ranging from teaching Sunday School to changing the inspirational message on the Church sign every week for the last 27 years. Claude is the initiator and Chair of the Church’s Pumpkin Patch in October, drives numerous people to medical appointments and to the Airport, and gives his time every Saturday morning during the winter months to the PADS program. Despite the devastating loss of his wife Joan to cancer in 2005, Claude has not relaxed his significant service to his Church family. Most people will agree that Claude’s giving nature and tireless energy put him in a category all his own.

 

“The Unsung Hero Award” - Carol Murray
After spending time in New Orleans helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Carol Murray returned with the feeling she had not done enough to help. Carol looked for new volunteer opportunities at the CEDA Northwest Food Pantry (Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County). Carol spends 4-6 hours at CEDA each and every day, and has for the last 2 years. She has completely reorganized the food pantry to be far more effective and efficient than it has ever been.

“There Ought to be More People Like This Award” - Tarina Wimmer
Tarina Wimmer is an active parent at both John Jay School and Holmes Junior High. Tarina has organized fun fares, hosted a myriad of farewell and welcome parties for staff, and tirelessly organized projects like fun lunches, taffy apple days, cookie dough and wrapping paper sales, ice cream socials to involve parents, extravagant teacher appreciation lunches, and numerous other fundraisers for the school. Tarina is also an accomplished seamstress and donates much time to Holmes Junior High. She hand-made matching dresses for the entire choral group, so they could compete in state and district competitions. Together with the Police Department, Tarina began the Officer Friendly visits to the District 59 schools. Many of the programs and ideas first started at John Jay through Tarina are now being utilized by the “Officer Friendly” program at several Mount Prospect schools.

“Youth Should Be Served Award” - Mary Gallagher
Mary Gallagher has volunteered in the Fairview Elementary School Library for the last 32 years, and is now as much a part of that school as the bricks and mortar. Mary does not get paid, yet the school has come to count on her. “She is always there,” says one of her nominators, “even when the snow drifts are taller than she is.” Mary has seen a lot of change in all those years, more than most anyone else. Mary is one of those people that just appear when they are needed. When most would have moved on and enjoyed their golden years in relative peace, Mary’s commitment to her school and her kids keeps her coming back day after day.

“Champion for Youth Award” - Sue Ramstedt
Sue began leaving her mark on Mount Prospect as a model teacher of Special Education at Lincoln Junior High for 23 years. Sue Ramstedt taught students to take on challenges with a “Can-Do” attitude regardless of any disability. Sue has served as president of the Mount Prospect Education Association, and in 1990, Sue started that Association’s Scholarship Fund, which has provided funds for hundreds of children to participate in academic, athletic, or fine arts activities over the summer. For ten years, Sue has managed the Carol Iverson Scholarship Fund - a bequest from the family of a former District 57 teacher and friend. In 1997, Sue created the Prospect Partners Program which pairs at-risk eighth grade students with Prospect Juniors and Seniors who act as mentors in a big brother/big sister type of relationship. Today, Sue is retired but continues to tutor, and has created the District 57 Alumni group. She was elected to the District 57 Board of Education and has served for the past seven years and today is its president.
 

“Rising Star Award” - Jeffrey Nellessen Jr.
Jeffrey Nellessen could easily be called a master participator. His resume through high school is several pages long. Academically, Jeff is an above-average student. He is a member of the National Honor Society, ranked in the top 20% of his class, and currently attends the University of Illinois as a Freshman with hopes of becoming a teacher. But a good deal of Jeff’s influence as a model student and leader while in high school stems from his extra-curricular activities.

Jeffrey was a member of the marching band, the symphonic band, the acclaimed Prospect Drumline, both the varsity and chamber choirs, the Mixed Company Show Choir, The One Stop Men’s A cappella group, the Madrigal Singers A cappella troupe, the Orchesis Dance Troupe, he has performed in many plays and musicals, was a member of the Theatre Angels that raise funds for the theatre group, and was an Ultimate Frisbee Club member.
 

“Horizons for Youth Award” - PHS Safety Dog Program
The Prospect High School Safety Dog Program uses a passive, overly-friendly dog and a street-clothed handler to keep the school grounds free of unwanted substances. Glenn VadeBonCoeur and Dandy, a playful, friendly Golden Retriever, make numerous, random visits to the school over the course of a month and walk the halls and grounds much to the enjoyment of the student population. In fact, the students love Dandy. Her sweet disposition and non-aggressive presence have allowed them to blend beautifully into the school culture.

“Toast of the Town Award” - Marilyn Genther
Marilyn Genther, joined the Mount Prospect Library in 1986 as the head of adult services. She was promoted to Deputy Director of the Library in 1987, and in 1992 became the Library’s Executive Director. Marilyn has been described as a compassionate leader, a great listener, a visionary, a mentor, and a true people person.

In 2002, the Library packed the books into nearly 200 semi trailers and moved to its temporary home in the Kensington business center. Already one year into the planning of the renovation, Marilyn was now charged with orchestrating the renovation and conducting business as usual at the Library’s temporary location.

Marilyn’s involvement does not end at the Library. Since 1992, she has been an active member of the Mount Prospect Historical Society, and in 2006, became its President. Drawing on her wealth of experience from the Library renovation, Marilyn has headed up the “Move the Schoolhouse” project, and is in the final stages of preparation for that move.
 

“Hometown Hero Award” - Carlos Huizar
Community Service Officer, Carlos Huizar has been with the Police Department since 2004. In 2005, he was asked to spend a few days per week at the Community Family Health Center on Algonquin Road. Carlos made himself available to the largely Hispanic community to answer questions and provide a much needed support system to bridge the gap that a language barrier can often create. He would offer help ranging from understanding a traffic citation to alerting police officers of a domestic quarrel.

During the quiet times at the Health Center, Carlos took it upon himself to visit the surrounding businesses, making sure the business owners knew they had someone they could call in a crisis or simply call with a question. He carries a Village-provided Nextel phone 24/7 just for this purpose. Within a short period of time, Carlos knew virtually everyone and everyone knew Carlos. Carlos has created a network of residents and businesses that have brought the entire southwest section of Mount Prospect together.

As one individual put it: “Carlos has developed his own way of doing things, and it is very effective. He has brought the community together by making himself a resource, a trusted advisor, a friend, and a source of strength."
 

“Living Legend Award” - Rosemary Grier
So many people know Rosemary Grier, she is a living legend even without this award. She and her husband Jim moved to Mount Prospect as young parents. Rosemary is not only a cancer survivor; she was widowed at a young age. When her husband fell ill, Rosemary began teaching second grade at Westbrook Elementary School. As one nominator put it; “Reading was Rosemary’s Bugaboo!” A stickler for teaching all to read, many classes of children remember Mrs. Grier and Clifford, the big red dog.

Before Rosemary retired, she was elected to the District 57 school board, where she served until 2007. Many remember Rosemary for her strong sense of priorities - protecting kids at all costs, even though it was not always the popular choice. In 1997, an energetic group of parents hatched the idea of a Foundation for the district which would concentrate on raising funds to provide equipment and programs that were not possible through the district’s regular budget. When the school board at the time declined to loan the group the seed money to get started, Rosemary once again was there to fuel the fire.

Today, ten years later, the District 57 Education Foundation has raised nearly $500,000 for the children of District 57. But Rosemary’s contributions go far beyond the occasional infusion of funds where needed. She has had a longtime association with the Mount Prospect Lion’s Club, and the Infant Welfare Society which provides resources for needy infants and mothers throughout Chicagoland.