he Bartlett CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition introduced the People of the Pillars Award in 2002.
The award is given to those Bartlett citizens who exemplify one or more of the Six Pillars of Character.
2002
Caring Mike Kelly
Citizenship Shirly Evans
Respect Thomas Neal
Fairness Katie DeSimon
Responsibility Emily Hayes
Trustworthiness Amanda Burke
2003
Caring Rocco Colella, for helping a sick child in need.
Citizenship Valerie Salmons, for all her work as Village Administrator
Respect Park District Board, for implementing Codes of Conduct
Fairness Craig Ochoa, for his work as a football referee
Responsibility James Dexter, for his military service
Trustworthiness Kyle Rohleder, for putting together a CC! Fun Fair
2004
Caring Jean Bargeher
Citizenship Pam Rohleder, for her service on the Bartlett Historical Society
Respect Earl Beckner
Fairness Dr. Michael Camerer
Responsibility Rev. Jerry Gleason, for his service in Iraq as a military chaplain
Trustworthiness James Dexter, for his military service
Community Group The Girls from the Great American Bake Sale
2005
January Rudy Hafner, for good Citizenship in his role as Village Health Inspector
February Officer Tammy Schulz, for her voluntarism and work with the children of Bartlett
March Denise Sarna for promoting sportsmanship as the coach of the Bartlett High School Girls' Basketball team
April Sharon and Joe Falco for their support of numerous community organizations
and their establishing of the "Neighborhood Spirit Hall of Fame."
May Joe Vorreyer for his service to the community as a Scoutmaster and Lions Club Member.
He has also chaired and participated in the Relay for Life Breast Cancer fundraiser.
June Alexa Jayes for being a teen of excellent character. She is a coordinator for P.A.D.S., a volunteer health care worker, National Honor Society member, a member of her school's Principal's Advisory Board,
and a member of her church's Board of Stewardship.
July Bob and Terry Gorski for promoting citizenship and sportsmanship by serving as acoach and scout leader for the children of Bartlett, and for showing caring by helping the underprivileged through their Warm Wishes program
August Kevin Mendez for taking great responsibility in extiguishing a fire in his neighbor's back yard
September Anna Makris for teaching the Six Pillars of Character in her sixth grade classroom at Bartlett Elementary
October Donna Hinrichs for her caring efforts in recruiting volunteer Santas
to answer letters and deliver presents to needy children.
November: Roy Engstrom for displaying citizenship in his involvement with the Bartlett Indian Guides
and the Bartlett Lions Club and in his efforts to distribute flags to school children.
In addition, he displayed sportsmanship as a coach of youth baseball and ladies' softball.
December: Jan Hanson and Jessica Hinkle for the responsibility and fairness they demonstrate as
Bartlett Raiders cheerleading coaches. They also encourage sportsmanship in the cheerleaders.
2006
January: Ted Preuss was selected for his service to the community as a United Church of Christ
minister for 25 years and a long-time member of the Bartlett Lions Club
September: Bartlett Fire Protection District Firefighters Lt. Mike Clarke, Dave Zamistil, Dave Bosse, and
Eugene Villanueva. They were selected for their caring service to the citizens of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
November: Shirley Shrade. For displaying good citizenship in her volunteer work with the village, including the Park District, Police Department, and Fire Protection District. She also displays caring by baking and cooking for local groups and helping homebound neighbors.
2007
April: Thomas J. Perkins, who is a retired social studies teacher and current volunteer at the Cantigny Big Red One Museum. Thomas demonstrates citizenship by serving as a trustee of the Bartlett Public Library District and a volunteer with the Bartlett Historical Society and by performing military reenactments.
June: William L. for showing responsibility in cleaning up the Bartlett Bike Path every week
and demonstrating caring by volunteering at an area hospital
August: Carolyn Szarmach, a member of the Friends of the Bartlett Library. Carolyn volunteers at the Library many hours each week by being responsible for the Friends' Used Book Sale.
2008
March: Ed Lacey, Jr., who is the embodiment of the Bartlett Veterans. Ed is the Commander of the VFW Post 11018, a member of the American Legion of Bartlett, a member of the Bartlett Veterans Memorial Committee, and a recent inductee into the Hanover Township Veterans Roll of Honor.
