When the Riverside-Brookfield High School Alumni Achievement Committee was formed over five years ago, the goal was to seek graduates of the high school who have achieved a degree of success or accomplishment in their chosen field.
While the award honors individuals, it also is an opportunity to bring back the honorees to the high school to speak with the students on what is possible in life after high school.
Students have had the opportunity to speak with alumni from the medical profession, music, entertainment, journalism, culinary arts, business and community involvement. Following their selection by committee, the honorees are recognized at a dinner attended by family, friends, former teachers and students. A wall in the school, just outside the school offices, bears plaques for each of the distinguished alumni.
When the award was first established at Riverside-Brookfield, committee members visited area schools who had previously established a similar alumni award. Following the school visitations, criteria were established and the award name chosen, the Riverside-Brookfield Alumni Achievement Award.
Criteria consist of the nominee having graduated from R-B, been out of high school for at least 10 years and have distinguished themselves in one of many areas. To nominate an individual one only needs to contact the high school for a nomination form and return it to the school by May 15 to be eligible for this year.
Nominations can also be sent anytime during the year for consideration for the following year. Nominations forms are first read by members of the committee individually. Afterward, members meet as a group to discuss the nominations.
Most nominations include additional information other than requested on the nomination form and may be in the form of press releases, awards received or letters of recommendation. Nominations remain in the file for three years following being received by the committee and are reviewed annually. After three years they may be renewed for review by request of the one nominating the individual.
The Alumni Achievement Award committee is again seeking nominations for this year. To receive further information or to obtain a nomination form contact the Riverside-Brookfield High School superintendent’s office at 442-7500.Congrats! Congratulations go to Genevieve “Gen” Chott for being named “Woman of the Year” by the St. Mary’s Parish CCW. Gen has been a tireless worker for the organization and the parish and is very deserving of the award. Molto buona: What you find out by reading the Italian paper: Yes I read Fra Noi, the Italian Chicagoland newspaper?”but only the pages in English.
In those pages, however, I read Channel 5’s Larry Wert, of Riverside, has been named to receive the Leonardo DaVinci Award of Excellence.
And, Rose Becker and her daughter, Caroline Becker-Joss, (one of the first Alumni Achievement winners) received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s Division of the Joint Civic committee of Italian Americans. The mother and daughter are well known for their clothing designs under the name Caroline-Rose. Congratulations to you all!
