ROTARY PRESENTS MERIT AWARDS
The Rotary Club of Hinsdale presented Youth Merit Awards to four eighth-graders on Oct. 22. This award recognizes extraordinary high school and middle school students for services to their community and classmates, leadership qualities and academic achievements.
Awards were presented to
Hinsdale Middle School — Addie Hsieh and Brynne O’Hare
Clarendon Hills Middle School — Sydney Shuster and Darren Carlevato
The club presents Youth Merit Awards several times during the school year.
A photo appears online at https://www.facebook.com/thehinsdalean.
NAZ STUDENTS ARE STATE SCHOLARS
Four Hinsdale students are among 30 seniors from Nazareth Academy who have been recognized as 2022 Illinois State Scholars.
They are Grace Mouw, Olivia Schaff, Cody Sweeney and John Wheeler.
“These students are a shining example of our pillar of scholarship,” President Therese Hawkins said. “They are exemplary young men and women inside and outside of the classroom. We congratulate them and their parents on this fine accomplishment.”
The prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top 10 percent of high school seniors across the state. Illinois State Scholars are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank.
HINSDALE COUPLE MAKES DONATION
Joseph and Amy Molfese of Hinsdale, owners of Bella Cosa Jewelers in Willowbrook, donated $1,000 to the Darien Lions Club for its 2021 Candy Day drive.
The money raised is used to help people with vision and hearing impairment and to support other community activities, including the club’s holiday food baskets for those in need, Halloween party for the community and Fourth of July Parade.
HOLIDAY BALL CO-CHAIRS honored
Laura Kendall, Jill Sunderson and Jenny Templeton, chairs of the 2020 Holiday Ball at The Community House, were recognized by Giving DuPage this month during its 2021 Virtual Volapalooza event. They were recognized for championing an alternative Holiday Ball event due to COVID-19 and achieving an enormous fundraising goal.
“Volunteers take ideas and turn them into action,” said Dan Janowick, executive director of The Community House. “Your dedication to make your communities and our country a better place for everyone who lives here makes a huge difference. Thank you.”
LATE HINSDALEAN RECEIVES AWARD
Paul Purcell of Hinsdale was recognized posthumously with the SIFMA and SIFMA Foundation’s first Lifetime Leadership Award at a tribute dinner Oct. 27.
Purcell was former chairman, president and chief executive officer of Baird. He was recognized for his commitment to children’s causes.
His belief in the power of education led him to help found the board of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago and chair the advisory council of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business for 10 years. He also served on the boards of Teach for America — Milwaukee, Alverno College, Junior Achievement of Chicago, The United Way of Greater Milwaukee, the United Performing Arts Fund and Discovery World.
“We’d like to thank the SIFMA Foundation for recognizing Paul’s contribution to our industry and his overarching commitment to education,” said Steve Booth, Baird chairman, president and CEO. “Paul had a special calling — and that was helping under-served students. He firmly believed we have an obligation to ensure everyone, regardless of where they live or their circumstances, has access to a quality education.”
Purcell, a longtime Hinsdale resident, passed away in 2020 at the age of 73.
CENTRAL STAFF MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Hinsdale Central PTO has named six Make a Difference award winners for the first quarter of the 2021-22 school year.
The staff members are
• Arpan Chokshi, social studies
• Susie Jaffe, English
• Mike Jazak, science
• Lisa Korbitz, math
• Joe Liaw, science
• Wanda Swik, athletics
