Nine DSAs recognized a wealth of community spirit and commitment
The Naperville Jaycees honored dedication and “servant leaders” during the 34th Annual Jaycees Distinguished Service Awards on April 27 at the Chicago Marriott Naperville.
Nine awards, including the Charles “Chuck” Bueche Lifetime Achievement and the all-new “Jaycee of the Year” were presented during ceremonies that began with a cocktail hour and passed hors d’oeuvres while a singer performed to the accompaniment of a grand piano.
The following businesses and individuals received the 2012 DSA in various categories: Business, Tim Belgio and Tom Belgio of Belgio’s Catering; Young Professional, Josh Seago; Community Leader, Liz Zienty; Public Employee, Marty Bee; Educator, Principal Mike Raczak of May Watts Elementary School; Student Volunteer, Kelly M. Martinez; and Not for Profit Organization, NCTV 17 (Naperville Community Television, Channel 17).
Chuck Bueche will always be remembered for his jovial manner and friendly wave. Anyone who receives the Lifetime Achievement Award named to honor this charter member of the Naperville Jaycees has made major and lasting contributions to this community.
The 2012 Charles “Chuck” Bueche Lifetime Achievement was presented to Dr. Harold R. Wilde, the ninth President of North Central College, who graciously accepted the award saying, “I knew Chuck Bueche and I’m no Chuck Bueche.” After 21 years, Wilde will be retiring at the end of 2012 with a long list of accomplishments that include raising private funds and building the state-of-the-art Fine Arts Center with the Wentz Concert Hall.
The 2012 Jaycee of the Year was presented to Jodi Bernicky, who also served as emcee for the evening.
The entire program provided many lessons about how this community thrives with volunteer spirit and dedication. When May Watts Principal Mike Raczak, nominated and introduced by Cindy Brennan, accepted the DNA that recognized his 38 years of contributions in education, he was quick to thank his mother and his family. He also thanked the Jaycees for its continual DSA category that recognizes an “Educator” every year.
Every spring, the Jaycees accept nominations from the public to honor exceptional community volunteers and employees who have made a difference. The 35th Annual DSA event will be about the same time next year.
Enjoy the photos from the cocktail hour, the dinner and the antics after the awards presentation where energy was high with appreciation for all the honored DSA recipients.
Jaycees President Joe Zhu expressed thanks to DSA Chairman Melissa Hupp and the entire Jaycee DSA Committee that included Joe Mensik, Helen Taylor, Jodi Bernicky, Rick Eeetmoed, April Lessnau, Greg Siegel, Ginna Kula, John Trojanowski, Beth DeGeeter and Nicole Marchluk.
The photos of the large groups are Jaycees members and Jaycees Roosters after the event.
(Behind the scenes… In case you’re wondering about the photos with Mayor George Pradel in the room with the large vehicles and engines mixed in with photos from the DSA event… Tina McConnoughey tipped off the cameras when the door to the conference room opened and she said she saw a yellow school bus. Bret Kuehn from Navistar had set up a room for an upcoming training seminar.)
Going forward, the Jaycees Comedy Night, “ComeDe Mayo,” is Fri. & Sat., May 4 & 5, at Center Stage Theater. Lobster Day is Sat., May 12. And Jaycees Bowling for Bucks is Sat., May 19. For all the details, visit www.naperjaycees.org.
The 2012 Last Fling is Labor Day Weekend under the leadership of Rosemarie Breske Garvey and Brian Scott is beginning to take shape. Watch the four-day family-friendly fall festival develop at www.lastfling.org. For more info, call (630) 961-4143.
P. S. Click on any photo to enlarge. Use the arrows to navigate through the gallery of photos.
More photos, thanks to Jaycees Rooster Joe Lichter: http://joelichter.zenfolio.com/dsa-2012
Here’s the link to the earlier PN post with photos from the 2010 and 2011 DSA events. https://www.positivelynaperville.com/2012/04/11/naperville-jaycees-will-honor-2012-dsa-recipients-on-april-27/3254.
Another Link! For a link to the list of past recipients since 1979, visit www.pnmonthly.com. Click on the maroon-colored bar across the home page. Consider nominating someone for a 2013 DSA. Thanks to all!
