Several students from Riverside-Brookfield High School involved in the school’s RBTV program were honored in late August with national and local awards. RBTV students took two first place awards at the 2005 Hometown USA National Video Festival held in Monterey, Calif. Senior Seth Thomas won for his cooking series “Over Easy,” which featured RB staff creating entrees with host Jason Kemper, a senior at the school. Senior Will Anderson won for his music video “Savior,” which he produced on location at RB.

At the Chicagoland High School Video Festival held last spring, RB sophomore Cody Madsen won first place for his music video “Live & Let Die.”

Seminarian: Commander Mark Tuma of the Riverside Police Department completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Midwest Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (MLEEDS) held locally the first week of August at the Lisle Hilton.This week-long advanced executive program, offered once a year, only accepts up to 32 top law enforcement executives from throughout the Midwest. This program is conducted by many of the same instructors who conduct leadership, risk-management and executive management classes at the renowned FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. In the past sessions there have been attendees from Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri and even Hawaii. Tuma, who is responsible for day-to-day operations at the Department, is in his 29th year as a police officer. Over the years has served as a patrol officer, a detective and an evidence technician, and rose through the ranks to patrol sergeant, investigations sergeant and lieutenant before being appointed to the rank of commander by Chief Eugene Karczewski in 2003. Tuma is also a holder of the Illinois Police Association’s Distinguished Law Enforcement Award for valor, the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars’ Law and Order Award and had received numerous department and village awards for his dedication and service to the community. Tuma’s other educational highlights includes a Master of Science degree in public safety administration from Lewis University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal/social justice with a minor in business administration from Lewis University and an Associate in Science degree from Moraine Valley Community College. He is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, Northwestern University’s Executive Management Program, Northwestern University’s Executive Institute for Suburban Police Chiefs and the University of Illinois’ Municipal Leadership Forum. In addition, Tuma is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the West Suburban Chiefs of Police, and the Fraternal Order of Police among others and also has a long list of community volunteer work and fund raising for charities. He also coached youth football for nearly 15 years.

Golden: Brookfield resident Kathy McClanathan along with the entire concierge staff of the Chicago City Centre hotel, recently were named the only 100-percent Les Clef d’Or USA-certified concierge staff in Chicago. Members of Les Clef d’Or are recognized as being at the pinnacle of their field, providing the highest possible quality in guest service.

Welcome aboard:

Riverside resident Nicholus “Nick” Cavaliere in August joined Oakbrook CPA firm William F. Gurrie & Co. Ltd., where he performs audit and accounting-related services for schools, villages and other local government entities.

Cavaliere graduated in May with a dual major in accounting and finance from University of Illinois at Chicago. While attending school, Cavaliere spent many years working with a small, family-owned business honing his customer service skills and positively impacting day-to-day business operations.

• The Brookfield Church of Christ, 3700 Forest Ave., recently installed four men, Cary Banks, Dan Drozd, Tom Procich and Darryl Williams as deacons.

Sweet sounds: Music students from the private studio of Forest Park resident Kevin McOlgan presented a recital at Riverside-Brookfield High School on June 27. Performers included Brookfield resident Danny Gonzalez, Christine Lifka and Andrew Huebler, all on saxophone.

In a twirl: Several Riverside residents competed at the annual Illinois State Fair Baton Twirling Competition in Springfield on Aug. 14.Annie Childers, Clair Childers, Amanda Kostro, Natalie O’Callahan, Calina Shaw, Clara Shaw, Camilla Shaw and Sella Shaw, all members of the Peggy Rose Academy of Dance and Baton in Berwyn, all won first place awards in their events. Lisa Anderson-Shaw is twirling coach for the team.

On campus: Riverside resident Joseph T. Lyons graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in fire science management during that institution’s commencement ceremonies this summer.

Brookfield girl competing in Pre-Teen pageant
Samantha Becerra Emilia of Brookfield was recently selected to participate in the 2005 Miss Pre-Tenn Chicago pageant competition on Sept. 11. Emilia was notified of her selection
by Nationals Inc., the pageant’s sponsor after submitting an application and taking part in an interview
session.

Emilia competed for her share of over $20,000 in scholarships, prizes and gifts that will distributed to contestants. She competed in the Miss Pre-Teen division, one of three divisions of young ladies who are between the ages of 10 and 19.

In addition to modeling both casual attire and formalwear, Emilia displayed her personality and interviewing skills to the judging panel.

The winner of the Miss Pre-Teen Chicago pageant will represent Chicago and suburbs at the Cities of America national competition in Orlando, Fla. Over $60,000 in prizes and awards will be on the line at that competition.

 

Plaque dedicated for Brookfield bell bequest
The Village of Brookfield in August affixed a plaque to the west side of the structure holding the village’s reproduction of the Liberty Bell in Kiwanis Park, recognizing the $1,200 donation given for the bell’s upkeep last year by the late Don Rumph.

Rumph bequeathed the money to the village upon his death in July of 2004 for the bell’s upkeep. Rumph was one of many villagers who worked to bring the bell to Brookfield in 1976. According to Trustee Catherine Colgrass Edwards, a plan is also in the works to plan some sort of marker to recognize the many other contributors to the Liberty Bell cause.