10
Aug
2010
2010 Citizen of the Year - Category Winners
Every year, people in the Rock Island community are nominated by their peers for what they do for the community. The City of Rock Island is pleased to announce the 2010 Citizens of the Year in eight categories. During the August 23, 2010 City Council meeting, the overall "Citizen of the Year," who will serve as Grand Marshal of the Labor Day Parade, will be announced.
Business Category - Chris Elsberg Insurance Agency, Inc.
Chris Elsberg Insurance Agency, Inc. at 3700 11th Street has been a part of Rock Island since Feb. 1988. Chris and her business are both active in many community endeavors. She has been a member of Zonta and the office is a drop off site for First Day Fund donations. She has been an active member of several PTA's and her office helps out with Christmas baskets and gifts during the holidays for those in need. Chris and her girls regularly volunteer to serve meals to the homeless at St. Joseph's. Chris wants people to have a good impression of Rock Island. She wants the young people to want to stay here because it is a good place to be. Teaching people to RESPECT Rock Island is important to her.
Professional Category - Berlinda Tyler-Jamison
Berlinda Tyler-Jamison serves as the president of Trinity Health Foundation. She is engaged in community health initiatives that focus on access to health care and the preservation of this access. She is a natural consensus builder who understands and respects the process involved with any organization. Ms. Tyler-Jamison is active and involved with many community organizations and causes. She is committed to helping Rock Island move forward and is a strong role model for all, young and old.
Education Category - Grace Diaz Shirk
Grace Diaz Shirk teaches Spanish at Rock Island High School. She teaches more than just the language. Her students grow to understand the cultures of those who speak the language, both close to home and around the globe. Her Spanish Club is among the most active at Rocky. When those who were interested in preserving Rocky's annual Student Talent Show were looking for someone who would be able to work to pull things together, they looked to race. Grace's contributions to the community go well beyond the school and classroom walls. Grace has served on the Rock Island City Council and is currently a Trustee for South Rock Island Township. And...Grace has been a long-time member of the Labor Day Parade committee.
Organization Category - Augustana College
Augustana College has called Rock Island home for 135 years of its 150 year history. At the time of the dedication of the first building on the Rock Island campus, then president, T.L. Hasselquist, said, "The constant and friendly interactions between college and community accrue to the distinct advantages of both." That was true then and remains true today. With a $75 million dollar impact on the community and a faculty and staff numbering 750, the economic benefit is easy to see. The benefits go a long way beyond the economics. There are the museums, the public radio station, the lectures and concerts open to all, the role of Augie volunteers in the community and some outstanding athletic teams. The Education Department is now partnering with Longfellow Elementary School.
Individual Category - Mark W. Schwiebert
No one individual has had his name more closely associated with Rock Island over the past three decades than Mark Schwiebert. His accomplishments as alderman and mayor are well documented. Mark became more than just the face of Rock Island, in many ways he became the face of the Quad Cities. His strong belief that fostering cooperation between communities would be for the benefit of all led to many of the organizations and initiatives that are in place today. Mark Schwiebert remained a strong voice for the Rock Island Arsenal when its future was in jeopardy. The Mark Schwiebert that many might not know is a runner and cross-country skier, an artist and poet, a traveler and noted historian.
City Employee Category - Patrick Doherty
Patrick Doherty serves Rock Island as Risk Manager in the Administrative Services Department. While not necessarily visible to many who live in Rock Island, he is highly visible to those who work for the city. Perhaps as the job title implies, if something goes wrong, it is up to Patrick Doherty to fix things up. His job, however, also means looking forward trying to identify programs and ventures that benefit both the city and its employees. It is through his initiative and leadership that the position of on-site nurse was created. The impact has been tremendous. Not only do employees gain prompt access to medical needs, the city's health care plan has realized savings due to fewer calls for additional medical care. Patrick's team put together a very successful Health and Wellness fair for employees this year.
Youth Category - Chasson Randle
Chasson Randle has brought honor and distinction to himself, Rock Island, and the entire Quad Cities through his representation of the U.S.A. in international basketball competition each of the past two summers. He has received All-State recognition and established the career scoring record at Rock Island High School as a junior. Chasson knows that team success is the ultimate goal and is dedicated to making everyone around him a better player and person. On top of all of the basketball accomplishments, Chasson Randle ranks at the top of his class academically.
Youth Category - Ciara Turner
The young students and student/athletes at Rock Island High School have benefited from the high standards that Ciara Turner has left for them to achieve. If they aspire to reach levels of personal success and compassion for the community as Ciara, then our community will benefit in the greatest way. Ciara was an honors student, officer of the Lettermen's Club, member of the Environmental Action Club, a stellar athlete with 10 state medals to include a state championship, and participated in many, many other extra - curricular activities. Through her club work, she participated in many fundraising activities to benefit the less fortunate; she worked on many community cleanup efforts; and she served as a peer mentor through the Natural Helper program. Her involvement and achievements are varied and inspirational.
Honorary Category (does not live in Rock Island) - Chad Pregracke
Chad Pregracke was born and raised in East Moline. He was raised on the river. Anyone surprised? In 1998, he founded Living Lands and Waters. This non-profit environmental organization is committed to more than just cleaning up waterways. They are equally committed to education. Through Chad's efforts, thousands of volunteers have been mobilized and millions and millions of pounds of garbage and waste have been collected. Fortunately, 80% of what is collected is then recycled. X-Stream Cleanup has worked to clean Rock Island riverfronts and ravines. We hope to see more of this wonderful organization on the Discovery Channel in upcoming months.
Every year, people in the Rock Island community are nominated by their peers for what they do for the community. The City of Rock Island is pleased to announce the 2010 Citizens of the Year in eight categories. During the August 23, 2010 City Council meeting, the overall "Citizen of the Year," who will serve as Grand Marshal of the Labor Day Parade, will be announced.
Business Category - Chris Elsberg Insurance Agency, Inc.
Chris Elsberg Insurance Agency, Inc. at 3700 11th Street has been a part of Rock Island since Feb. 1988. Chris and her business are both active in many community endeavors. She has been a member of Zonta and the office is a drop off site for First Day Fund donations. She has been an active member of several PTA's and her office helps out with Christmas baskets and gifts during the holidays for those in need. Chris and her girls regularly volunteer to serve meals to the homeless at St. Joseph's. Chris wants people to have a good impression of Rock Island. She wants the young people to want to stay here because it is a good place to be. Teaching people to RESPECT Rock Island is important to her.
Professional Category - Berlinda Tyler-Jamison
Berlinda Tyler-Jamison serves as the president of Trinity Health Foundation. She is engaged in community health initiatives that focus on access to health care and the preservation of this access. She is a natural consensus builder who understands and respects the process involved with any organization. Ms. Tyler-Jamison is active and involved with many community organizations and causes. She is committed to helping Rock Island move forward and is a strong role model for all, young and old.
Education Category - Grace Diaz Shirk
Grace Diaz Shirk teaches Spanish at Rock Island High School. She teaches more than just the language. Her students grow to understand the cultures of those who speak the language, both close to home and around the globe. Her Spanish Club is among the most active at Rocky. When those who were interested in preserving Rocky's annual Student Talent Show were looking for someone who would be able to work to pull things together, they looked to race. Grace's contributions to the community go well beyond the school and classroom walls. Grace has served on the Rock Island City Council and is currently a Trustee for South Rock Island Township. And...Grace has been a long-time member of the Labor Day Parade committee.
Organization Category - Augustana College
Augustana College has called Rock Island home for 135 years of its 150 year history. At the time of the dedication of the first building on the Rock Island campus, then president, T.L. Hasselquist, said, "The constant and friendly interactions between college and community accrue to the distinct advantages of both." That was true then and remains true today. With a $75 million dollar impact on the community and a faculty and staff numbering 750, the economic benefit is easy to see. The benefits go a long way beyond the economics. There are the museums, the public radio station, the lectures and concerts open to all, the role of Augie volunteers in the community and some outstanding athletic teams. The Education Department is now partnering with Longfellow Elementary School.
Individual Category - Mark W. Schwiebert
No one individual has had his name more closely associated with Rock Island over the past three decades than Mark Schwiebert. His accomplishments as alderman and mayor are well documented. Mark became more than just the face of Rock Island, in many ways he became the face of the Quad Cities. His strong belief that fostering cooperation between communities would be for the benefit of all led to many of the organizations and initiatives that are in place today. Mark Schwiebert remained a strong voice for the Rock Island Arsenal when its future was in jeopardy. The Mark Schwiebert that many might not know is a runner and cross-country skier, an artist and poet, a traveler and noted historian.
City Employee Category - Patrick Doherty
Patrick Doherty serves Rock Island as Risk Manager in the Administrative Services Department. While not necessarily visible to many who live in Rock Island, he is highly visible to those who work for the city. Perhaps as the job title implies, if something goes wrong, it is up to Patrick Doherty to fix things up. His job, however, also means looking forward trying to identify programs and ventures that benefit both the city and its employees. It is through his initiative and leadership that the position of on-site nurse was created. The impact has been tremendous. Not only do employees gain prompt access to medical needs, the city's health care plan has realized savings due to fewer calls for additional medical care. Patrick's team put together a very successful Health and Wellness fair for employees this year.
Youth Category - Chasson Randle
Chasson Randle has brought honor and distinction to himself, Rock Island, and the entire Quad Cities through his representation of the U.S.A. in international basketball competition each of the past two summers. He has received All-State recognition and established the career scoring record at Rock Island High School as a junior. Chasson knows that team success is the ultimate goal and is dedicated to making everyone around him a better player and person. On top of all of the basketball accomplishments, Chasson Randle ranks at the top of his class academically.
Youth Category - Ciara Turner
The young students and student/athletes at Rock Island High School have benefited from the high standards that Ciara Turner has left for them to achieve. If they aspire to reach levels of personal success and compassion for the community as Ciara, then our community will benefit in the greatest way. Ciara was an honors student, officer of the Lettermen's Club, member of the Environmental Action Club, a stellar athlete with 10 state medals to include a state championship, and participated in many, many other extra - curricular activities. Through her club work, she participated in many fundraising activities to benefit the less fortunate; she worked on many community cleanup efforts; and she served as a peer mentor through the Natural Helper program. Her involvement and achievements are varied and inspirational.
Honorary Category (does not live in Rock Island) - Chad Pregracke
Chad Pregracke was born and raised in East Moline. He was raised on the river. Anyone surprised? In 1998, he founded Living Lands and Waters. This non-profit environmental organization is committed to more than just cleaning up waterways. They are equally committed to education. Through Chad's efforts, thousands of volunteers have been mobilized and millions and millions of pounds of garbage and waste have been collected. Fortunately, 80% of what is collected is then recycled. X-Stream Cleanup has worked to clean Rock Island riverfronts and ravines. We hope to see more of this wonderful organization on the Discovery Channel in upcoming months.
