News

Distinguished alumni come from all walks of life

By James Pluta

Over the next few weeks, the Desplaines Valley News will be highlighting
the accomplishments of 19 men and women, all graduates of Argo Community
High School in Summit, who were recently chosen to receive a Distinguished
Alumni award in 2010.

The District 217 school which serves students in Argo-Summit, Bedford
Park, Bridgeview, Justice, Willow Springs and a portion of Hickory Hills
has over the years bestowed such awards on deserving former students who,
in their personal and professional life, have exemplified the spirit of
ACHS.

All of the inductees represent business, community or educational service
and were nominated early last year by their peers. Those names were then
evaluated and selected by an ad-hoc nomination committee independent of
the school board yet representative of the greater district community.

Nominations are sought every three to five years and it is the committee’s
job to host a gala to recognize the award winners.

At the conclusion of recognition ceremonies a photograph of each inductee
is hung in a Distinguished Alumni Hall of Distinction in a gallery outside
of the student cafeteria.

This year the inductees and their families and friends will join school
and community leaders at an alumni recognition dinner at Crystal Sky
Banquets in McCook on Thursday, January 21.

The evening event will be followed by a day on campus, where the alumni
have been invited to speak to students and staff about their lives and
careers.

“This experience gives students a chance to see what other Argo graduates
have done beyond their high school years,” said Superintendent Kevin
O’Mara. “We think giving the chance to meet former students who have made
a name for themselves in their own careers will be a big plus for our
student body.”

On Friday, January 22 is the schools annual Alumni Night, when students
from every class in the district’s nearly 80 year history is encouraged to
attend a varsity boys basketball game in the Swanson Gymnasium and a mixer
afterward at the V.F.W. Hall in Summit.

Distinguished Alumni to be recognized will include:

Business Service Winners include: Jerry Clinnin, Herbert Martin, James
Pluta, John “Jack” Theres, George Wesoloski and Joe B. Williams.

Community Service Winners include: Alfredda Griffeth Glover, Robert Kott,
Timothy Landingham, Richard Morgan and Rev. Steven Vlahos.

Educational Service Winners are: Michael Andrejasich, Christine Baldwin,
David Brady, Larry Burda, Linda Farley, Rodolso Olavarri, Frank Stout and
Mike Wojciechowicz.