Pay It Forward Awards 2022
2022 Pay It Forward Awards Recipients Announced
Foundation Honors Individuals, Businesses for Continued Support
The Pay It Forward Awards were established in 2021 to recognize individuals, organizations and businesses that have supported and contributed to the promotion and advancement of the Morton 201 Foundation's mission and efforts.
Recipients of this award have repeatedly gone above and beyond to advocate, promote, donate, raise funds and increase awareness about the Foundation on an ongoing basis.
Awards are given annually in three categories:
- Morton Family Member - student, alumni, faculty or staff member
- Individual - any individual not directly associated with Morton District 201
- Business or organization
The first recipients of this award were recognized at the Scholarship Recipient Luncheon on May 25, 2022 and at various events throughout the year.
The Foundation would like to offer its sincerest thanks and gratitude to our 2022 Pay It Forward Award Recipients.
Morton Family Member
Connie Chapman
Connie Chapman is the Superintendent’s Secretary and Foundation Recording Secretary. She is responsible for all of the behind the scenes work for the Foundation such as setting up meetings, creating agendas, recording minutes and coordinating events at the schools. Mrs. Chapman is the “glue” that keeps the Foundation running smoothly and the Board of Directors greatly appreciates and sincerely thanks her for all of her efforts.
Darrielle McCord
Darrielle McCord is the Digital Website Special for District 201 and has been instrumental in developing the Foundation’s logo, website, social media platforms, brochures, flyers, ads, videos and all communication tools. She has done an incredible job creating the “look” of the Foundation and all of the materials that are needed to communicate and promote our events. The Foundation would not be where it is today, if it was not for her hard work and dedication to helping us get there. The Board of Directors greatly appreciates and sincerely thanks her for tireless efforts.
Mike Devereux
Mike Devereux is a Morton East, Class of ’78 alum. He is the President and CEO of Nature’s Way - Schwabe North America in Appleton, WI.
For over 50 years, Nature’s Way has been America’s leading provider of herbal medicines and supplements. Mr. Devereux has participated in our Support Local Online Auction for the past two years and to date has donated $6,000 to the Foundation through the Devereux Family Charitable Trust which has provided three Pay It Forward Scholarships to our students. The Board would like to sincerely thank him for his ongoing and continued support of our mission and efforts.
Eileen & John Szubert
Eileen and John Szubert are Morton East, Class of ’85 alums. When we started our Pay It Forward Scholarship Program in 2019, Eileen immediately stepped up and hosted a birthday fundraiser on Facebook which raised $285.
Since then, Eileen has hosted several annual fundraisers for the Foundation. She then used her company’s matching gift program to double her donations, which earned her Copper Sponsorships in 2019 and 2022 and a Silver Sponsorship in 2020.
Her husband John shares her belief and has been an avid supporter of our online auctions for the past two years.
Together they have also purchased Morton Mustangs Masks and helped increase awareness about the Foundation by promoting our events on their Facebook pages.
Thanks to their generous and continued support over the last four years, Eileen and John have raised almost $5,300 for our scholarship program, which has allowed several students the opportunity to pursue their dreams and further their education.
They truly embody the Pay It Forward spirit and what it means to be a Mustang. The Foundation greatly appreciates and sincerely thanks them for their generous and continued support.
Individual
Larry Dominick, Cicero Town President
Since 2018, President Dominick (through the Cicero Voters Alliance) has been a staunch and avid supporter of the Morton 201 Foundation.
When we hosted our first two Dinner & Theater Nights: Our Town (2018) and Singin’ in the Rain (2019), President Dominick purchased a table at each event.
Since then, President Dominick has continued to support the Foundation’s efforts and mission through Bronze Sponsorships from 2018 to 2022.
President Dominick has been a tremendous advocate for the Foundation and we would like to recognize him for ongoing and continued support.
Robert J. Lovero, Mayor, City of Berwyn
Since 2019, Mayor Lovero (through the Committee to Elect Robert J. Lovero) has been a loyal and generous supporter of the Morton 201 Foundation.
When we hosted our Singin’ in the Rain Dinner & Theater Night, Mayor Lovero and his wife not only attended the event but also purchased a table of eight, which earned him a Bronze Sponsorship.
Since then, Mayor Lovero has continued to support the Foundation’s mission and efforts through corporate sponsorships: Bronze in 2020, Copper in 2021 and Bronze in 2022 for our Support Local Online Auction.
Mayor Lovero has been an incredible advocate for the Foundation and we would like to recognize him for ongoing and continued support.
Businesses & Organizations
BMO Harris Bank
BMO Harris Bank was one of the Morton 201 Foundation’s earliest supporters. When we started our Pay It Forward Scholarship Program in 2019, they were our first corporate sponsor. That same year, several employees from the Cermak Berwyn branch designated the Foundation as the recipient of their United Way contributions.
Since then, BMO Harris Bank and its employees have continued to support the Foundation through:
- Corporate Sponsorships
- Ongoing United Way contributions
- Promoting Foundation events through foyer notifications and lobby displays
- Helping to promote public safety by selling Mustang Masks at its Cicero and Berwyn locations.
In addition, Alma Ortiz, Vice President and Bank Manager of the Cermak Berwyn branch, joined the Board in 2020 and now serves as our Treasurer. Her presence has helped to strengthen and build our relationship with BMO Harris Bank.
BMO Harris Bank truly believes in the Foundation’s mission and efforts and has been a tremendous partner for us from the beginning.
For those reasons, the Foundation recognized BMO Harris Vice Presidents and Branch Managers Alicia Sanchez (Cicero), Alma Ortiz, (Cermak) and Ruby Gonzalez (Stanley) along with their staff for their continuous and ongoing support.
Sinfonia del Mar
Modesta Valladares, owner of Sinfonia del Mar in Cicero, has been a tremendous supporter of the Morton 201 Foundation for the past several years. In 2021, she was a Bronze Sponsor and donated the food for our Scholarship Recipient Luncheon. In 2022, she was a Copper Sponsor and donated the flowers for our Scholarship Recipient Luncheon. The Morton 201 Foundation, we would like to sincerely thank Ms. Valladares and Sinfonia del Mar for their generous and ongoing support of our mission and efforts.
Pay It Forward Award Recipients 2022
