Lake County Gazette

The City of Highland Park has announced the recipients of the 2025 Highland Park Awards. These annual awards honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the community in various categories. The Arts Award, Environmental Award, Humanitarian Award, Character Counts Pillar Awards, and photography contest recognitions will be presented by the City, North Shore School District 112, Highland Park High School, and the Park District of Highland Park.

The ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Highland Park High School.

- **Arts Award Recipient: Time to Dance**

Time to Dance co-founders Lynne Belsky and Lisa Gold are recognized for their work improving the lives of local adults aged 50 and above through affordable dance classes tailored to individual needs. Belsky's background as a physical therapist/medical doctor and Gold's experience as a dance instructor/arts administrator have created exceptional opportunities for artistic exploration and performance.

- **Environmental Award Recipient: Habitat Highland Park**

Habitat Highland Park is honored for its efforts in establishing sustainable wildlife habitats by planting native trees, ensuring food and water resources, reducing pesticide use, and promoting wildlife-friendly gardening practices. Their efforts led to the Community Wildlife Habitat designation by the National Wildlife Federation in 2024.

- **Humanitarian Award Recipient: Terri Olian**

Terri Olian is recognized for her decades of service to the Highland Park community through various elected, appointed, and volunteer roles with local government and non-profit organizations. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Highland Park Community Foundation.

- **Character Counts Pillar Award Recipients**

These awards honor individuals who exemplify trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship in their daily lives. The 2025 honorees are:

Ximena Aragon

Chadd Berkun

Alexi De La Cruz-Ramirez

Stella Edison

Diana Ergang

Neve Felsenthal

Kenia Flores

Lindsay Hernandez

Hannah Juergens

Quentin Kelley

Melissa Kerpel

Shay Kessel

Anderson Kinsey

Daniela Lopez

Eliot Lupa

Maggie Martinez

Anderson Pflug

Ray Samson

Ella Scharg

Owen Scholl

Isaac Smeyers

Marie Tomaszewska

-- Capture the Heart of Highland Park Photography Contest --

The annual photography contest received over 140 submissions from nearly 40 photographers. Winners were chosen in Arts & Architecture, Daily Life, Environmental categories by the Cultural Arts Advisory Group. The Community Favorite was selected by public vote.

-Arts & Architecture: “Elizabeth in the Afternoon” by Jeff Kolthammer

-Daily Life: “Fisherman” by Lynn West

-Environmental: “My Mystical Morning Walk” by Nate Kinard

-Community Favorite: “Music Lives Here” by Marcela Verschoor

Honorable mentions include:

-Arts & Architecture: “One Quiet Night” by Jeff Kolthammer

-Daily Life: “Game Day” by Jeff Kolthammer

-Environmental: “Bright Against the Blizzard” by Benjamin Rascoe

Additionally, businesses celebrating their 50th anniversary will be recognized at the ceremony: Ablaze Group, Go Promotions, Keyth Security, and Music Gallery.

For further information regarding the event or any other inquiries related to it can be directed towards City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000.

###