Each year, the Mount Prospect Special Events Commission honors individuals and organizations that have a positive impact on the community by recognizing them with a Shining Star Award. The Shining Star Awards are presented on the basis of nomination by community leaders, business owners, community members and residents. The categories cover a wide range of interest areas and are designed especially to seek out individuals whose actions often go unnoticed.

The winners are selected by the Mount Prospect Special Events Commission from nominations submitted in the fall. Awards are presented at the Annual Shining Stars Gala on the first Saturday in February.

Congratulations to the 2025-26 Shining Star Award Winners!

Best Educator - Karolyn Marabotti
Best Neighbor - Bob and Alison Burdick
Community Partner Award - Mike, Eric, Omar, and Sammy - Pure Elite Fitness
Exceptional Youth Award - John Ciok
Inclusivity Award - Frank Mirandola
Open Arms Award - Lemons of Love
Public Service Award - Jill Friedrichs
Star Spangled Banner Award - Ron Vlcek
Unsung Hero Award - Mike Mokate & Maura Reschke - St. Mark's PADS Shelter

Shining Star Award Categories

Nominations for 2025-26 are closed.

1. Best Educator Award (NEW!)
   This award is presented to an individual who goes above and beyond in shaping the minds and hearts of their students. This award honors an educator who not only demonstrates exceptional knowledge and skill in their field, but also inspires curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Through dedication, creativity, and compassion, this educator makes a lasting impact on their students, their school, and the community, embodying the very best of what it means to teach and to lead. 
   
   This awardee does not need to live in Mount Prospect but must teach Mount Prospect students. 
   
   
2. Best Neighbor Award
   This award recognizes a Mount Prospect resident or business that exemplifies the meaning of a good neighbor.
   
   Example:
   A neighbor who is always there when someone needs assistance or simply a favor
   A neighbor who is the glue that holds a neighborhood together
   
   
3. Community Partner Award
   This award recognizes a business in Mount Prospect that has gone out of its way to be a good corporate citizen and member of the local business community. The contribution this business has made to the community makes Mount Prospect a better place to live and work. The hard work of the employees and generosity of the business can serve as an example to others that Mount Prospect is a vibrant community with potential for new residents and new businesses.
   
   Example:
   A company that donates to local organizations for programs or infrastructure that improves quality of life
   New business in town that becomes an active participant in various civic activities
   
   
4. Exceptional Youth Award
   This award recognizes a young person (under the age of 18) or group of young people who have shown outstanding leadership and commitment in a particular field without expectation of reward or recognition. The recipient should demonstrate leadership abilities, have a passion for social justice, and be motivated to improve the quality of life in their community.
   
   Example:
   A young person who uses their free time to help those less fortunate
   
   
5.  Inclusivity Award
   This award recognizes a person or organization who works tirelessly to make others feel safe and included in their community. Someone who has worked to eliminate discrimination and ensure minorities are not excluded from the community. 
   
   Example:
   A police officer, church staff, school administrator, or a non-profit group making strides to make Mount Prospect a more inclusive community
   
   
6. Open Arms Award
   This award recognizes an organization that has readily opened its arms and its heart to the needy, lonely, or less fortunate. This award is for community groups only. 
   
   Example:
   A not-for-profit, PTO, local organization, or community group
   
   
7. Public Service Award
   An individual or individuals who have gone far above and beyond their duty, either as a one-off exceptional incident or consistently in their line of work. Anyone working in a public service role can be nominated for this award.
   
   
   Example:
   A Library employee who goes out of their way to help
   A Village employee who dedicates their time to improving life in Mount Prospect, on and off the job
   
   
8. Star Spangled Banner Award 
   This award recognizes a resident who demonstrates pride in America through service, attitude and commitment. Service in the armed forces is not required to be eligible, but the individual must have assisted this country, or a veteran, in some meaningful way. 
   
   Example:
   Nominees may include current members of the Armed Forces or current Legion and VFW members
   
   
9.  Unsung Hero Award
   This award recognizes a person in our community with a rather thankless, but necessary, job who is good at what he/she does and the community couldn't get along without him/her. This person goes beyond the job he or she is paid to perform or, in the case of a volunteer, expected to perform. This person is virtually indispensable, takes on multiple tasks, helps wherever a hand is needed, or takes charge when the occasion demands it. The Village of Mount Prospect and the world in general is a better place just because this individual is alive.
   
   Example:
   The garbage collector who made his route at -25°, and ahead of schedule
   A do-anything volunteer for a school or charitable organization