When Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated and riots broke out in Chicago, Valencia Breckenridge went to the aid of her school’s sole white teacher.  Because his car had broken down at their inner city school, she invited him to her family’s home.  “Every experience in life has a purpose,” she believes.  Realizing her teacher took a risk daily to work in her neighborhood opened Breckenridge’s eyes.  “My teachers told me I need not be a product of my environment,” she explains.  Always a good student with a love for learning, Breckenridge, who grew up in the projects, holds degrees from both the University of Chicago and Northwestern University.  She is director of development for Pioneer Clubs, which fits her philosophy of being kind to strangers, for one never knows when God is entertained, unaware.  Married to a childhood friend, she has two sons, John and Connor Douglas.  It was the positive experience and the excellent education her sons received at Glen Crest Middle School that moved Breckenridge to “give back” to the community.  For two years, she has volunteered on Tuesdays mornings at the school, holding a breakfast discussion group.  With a trend of Chicago families moving to the suburbs, Breckenridge knows well the adjustments and challenges these transfer students face.  Discussing mostly conflict resolution, Breckenridge has earned the students’ respect; and, was nominated by Kenise Lawrence as a “Person of Character,” in part because she showed the “real her.”  Valencia Breckenridge simply calls herself a “seed planter.”

“Glen Ellyn is a volunteer community,” says Mary Loch.  When she and her husband moved here to raise three children, Loch quickly realized that what made Glen Ellyn what it is was the number of citizens who work as volunteers within the village.  She first became aware of this strength behind the scenes as a mother of school children.  Perhaps her favorite volunteer effort was the Great Books program, an optional reading group she led for students at Ben Franklin and Hadley schools.  Those stories, of particular interest to adolescents and providing a moral, still get Loch excited, just remembering their context.  She moved on to service on Glen Ellyn’s Plan Commission and was on the village’s board from 2001 to 2005.  Currently, Loch is fulfilling an interest by serving on the Glen Ellyn Economic Development Commission.  Her love of music keeps her active at St. Petronille Church, where she is a cantor.  But Mary Loch has been nominated by Bob Wahlgren as a Person of Character no so much for these volunteer efforts as for her deep commitment to CHAD, the Community Housing Association of DuPage.  With a background in marketing and degrees in both business and engineering, Loch began working as  a controller for CHAD in November of 2007.  With 350 rental units located in various areas of the county, CHAD is providing “work force housing” to the citizens of DuPage who could otherwise not afford to live where they work.  Loch speaks of her CHAD experience, as well as mission trips she’s taken, leading her to realize “what’s important in life.”  Mary Loch mentions her father who, while an executive at the University of Chicago, had admiration for a grade school janitor, because he was simply content with his life – and happy.

 “It touches them in a different way,” says Amy Hohulin, who has co-chaired the art appreciation program at Abraham Lincoln School for the past five years. Speaking of the children who, from grades K-5 enjoy six art presentations per school year, Hohulin notes that the older children especially gain appreciation when they travel to Chicago’s Art Institute and view actual paintings. Her volunteer work also includes being vice president of the board of directors for Anima (formerly known as the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus.) Both of her daughters sing for the chorus, even bringing along donated items for a school with whom the group of children sang. The new name, Anima, means breath, life, soul and spirit, as translated from Latin. Because the chorus, which originated in 1964, includes youth from kindergarten through seniors in high school, and because the group draws from a large suburban area, Anima more appropriately describes the choral members. Hohulin cooks for the PADS program as well and she works out of her home in the field of communication. A native of Quincy, Hohulin credits her parents, described as “do-ers,” with her commitment to the arts and to volunteer service. Dick Winans nominated Amy Hohulin as a Person of Character for all of the above reasons.

Dick Winans is a reader. Averaging a book a week, he makes regular visits to Glen Ellyn Public Library. Before he retired, his career in sales called for frequent travel; and, with a library book in hand, waiting in airports was easier for Winans. A father to four and grandfather to six, he is fortunate to have his family all living nearby. When Winan’s daughter-in-law became involved in the Friends of the Library, she recruited Dick. At first he stuffed envelopes for the library until his volunteer duties evolved into much more. He has helped with the construction of the library’s parade float and he delivers books to homebound library patrons. Every January Winans concentrates his efforts on sorting books, to begin preparations for the library’s annual fundraiser, the used book sale. Kathy Doyle, and the Glen Ellyn Friends of the Library, nominated Dick Winans as a Person of Character because (he is) “a model of why Glen Ellyn is such a close-knit community.” Explaining that he sometimes comes in to help with library work “unexpectedly,” Doyle describes him as “cheerful” and unassuming. Dick Winans credits his mother, who did a “tremendous amount” of volunteer work for his school, as he was growing up, in Joliet. It’s likely character can be inherited, as well as taught.

“My parents were very community-minded,” says Anne Bouchard, who was nominated as a Person of Character by Gilda Ross. She grew up in Wayne but graduated from Swarthmore College, in Pennsylvania, after which Bouchard practiced then retired from law to raise her children. Her volunteer work began in district #89, when her son and then daughter attended Westfield School; and, continues today in district #87, where her children attend Glenbard South High School. Bouchard is on the committee for ACTS (Advocating Character Through Service) where she helped supervise over 350 students at South to make “valentines for vets.” Teaming up with an existing endeavor through the village of Glendale Heights, all four Glenbard high schools participated in making hand-crafted valentines, as well as every student at Glencrest Middle School. Distribution of the valentines was divided between active military personnel overseas and veterans in VA hospitals. ACTS is being introduced within the district, is open to all students, and has as its intention to identify and then act upon a need in the community. Recognizing that the Quaker influence “molded” her at Swarthmore, a school her parents also attended, Anne Bouchard, like the Quakers, desires to “make the world a better place.”

Kathy Schmidt was a five year old girl growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia when she lost her mother. Because her brother was much older, he and his wife began caring for Kathy, all the while encouraging her to seek a profession and to become a secure and satisfied adult. The lesson in life worked. Kathy went to Pennsylvania State where she met her husband, who also became a lawyer. She taught law at Loyola but she sought and obtained an education degree, as well. When a move to Glen Ellyn to raise children led her to meet neighbor (the late) Carolyn Strayer, Kathy’s future began to unfold. Strayer was serving on the school board and Kathy was inspired to follow in her footsteps. Four times she has been elected to a Glen Ellyn school board. For ten years, she was board president of school district 41 and she is currently on the board of high school district 87. Volunteer outreach also includes her efforts at Glenbard East High School, where Kathy helped administer EKG tests to athletes in a program called “Young Hearts for Life.” A program through Midwest Heart Foundation and led by Dr. Joseph Marek, the purpose was to detect any student at risk for sudden cardiac death. Professionally, Kathy is a full time special education teacher at Glen Crest Middle School where she enjoys teaching her students algebra, best of all. Law training prepared her for teaching with its emphasis on skills such as organizing thoughts and solving problems. Teaching, however, has “nicer hours” and more of an upbeat atmosphere, she admits. Pam Zimmermann nominated Kathy Schmidt as a Person of Character for reasons which include her “passion for the education of young people.” Says Kathy about teaching, “I enjoy all the kids and I am never, ever bored.”

Becky Beilfuss considers herself “divinely guided” to be doing something she so loves. As executive director of Teen Parent Connection, she leads an organization which helps 400 families a year to avoid the six cycles of failure; violence, abuse, neglect, poverty, ignorance and dependency. In DuPage County, 4% of births are to women under the age of 20. Since 1985, this non-profit agency has been working with young parents and their children, from prenatal to age five. A mother at sixteen, Beilfuss understands firsthand the challenges of teen parenthood. She began as a volunteer with Teen Parent Connection 18 years ago when she was a mother to three, and credits her predecessor, Janet Bornancin, for helping her to realize that things Beilfuss may have doubted were, indeed, “possible.” Young volunteers who return to the agency to “give back” sometimes become employees, such as Courtney Simek, who came to Teen Parent Connection for support and information before the birth of her son, four years ago, and now is a public speaker at the county’s high schools. Explaining the realities of teenage parenthood to students, Simek also assists with support groups for new parents and is completing a college degree. Lora Vitek, a colleague and friend to Beilfuss, recommended her as a Person of Character. Citing several reasons, Vitek remarked that Beilfuss “carries tremendous respect for everyone she touches.” Each person walking through the doorway, usually referred by the DuPage County Health Department, is assisted to the best of the agency’s ability. Being a teenaged parent is not easy, admits Becky Beilfuss, but she and her staff at the Teen Parent Connection proudly believe that they “grow hope.”

Coming from a long line of resolute women, Leland Livingston continues the pattern. Her great grandmother was college educated, a woman Leland remembers for her strong faith. Her grandmother was an elementary school principal, in the South, for a 32-year career. Leland and her husband Andy have raised two daughters, nearly to adulthood. Raised as an “Army brat,” she believes that the military environment led her to an easier acceptance of all kinds of people. And so, when Character Counts was introduced at Glenbard East High School, where Leland teaches junior history classes, she felt the program allowed everyone “to speak the same language.” She even knows the Character Counts dance – just ask her. Cleo Burtis nominated Leland Livingston as a Person of Character, in part, because of her involvement in the “God is Still Speaking” campaign, a Congregational Church theme explaining, says Livingston, that “religion is no longer dead.” (Coincidentally, their pastor is a female.) Believing strongly in the separation of church and state, Livingston cites Thomas Jefferson as a hero. And, perhaps as a life motto, Leland Livingston treats everyone with respect because it is how she feels she will gain respect from others.

“They will succeed in math if they work with me,” believes Susan Stewart, long-time teacher and “orange team” leader for 6^th graders at Glen Crest Middle School. Using riddles and jokes and ensuring students that her classroom door is, indeed, a “revolving” one, Mrs. Stewart recognizes the acceleration of mathematics in education and seeks to make the curriculum relevant. Former student Zoe Zapel nominated Stewart as a Person of Character because “she is an awesome teacher who respects every student by listening to their ideas and treating them like adults.” Stewart admits that she thanks her students for asking questions and believes the only foolish question is the one that goes unasked. The character education at Glen Crest, an ongoing program integrated into each subject taught, is something Stewart thinks will continue over a lifetime for the students involved. Susan Stewart credits her strong family connections and her debt to future generations for her personal character and resolve. “It’s the kind of world I want my grandchildren to grow up in,” she explains of her commitment to character education. “A world,” she continues, “where human beings treat each other with respect.”

“It needs more awareness,” says Randy Parker of the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus. His daughter Jessica sang with the chorus for 10 years, including on tours to Brazil and Newfoundland. Parker’s mother was a music teacher, his wife Sharon enjoys singing; and, within the Parker house, all types of music are played and appreciated. Having been board president for three years and as chairman of the Encore Society, which seeks donations, Randy Parker is a strong supporter of the local chorus. He emphasizes that the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus has been in existence for 41 years and children from 50 different communities (kindergarten – college) participate in this chorus, one of the nation’s top five. His daughter plays basketball now and his sons Greg and Jeff play soccer, hockey, and lacrosse, so Parker realizes the recognition that sports receive. It is because of his involvement in the community that Parker was anonymously nominated as a Person of Character. While working toward village or school issues, with the chorus, or with his children’s athletic activities, he is described as “giving more than he receives.” Randy Parker, a partner of Glen Ellyn Homes, credits his parents for his positive outlook on life. “They were opinionated, well-educated, diverse, and open-minded. They taught me to get involved,” says Parker.

Once tragedy has touched you, on a personal level, you are never the same,” believes Debbie Rearick, whose home town of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi faced the eye of hurricane Katrina. The 25-foot storm surge, which permanently shifted the landscape, damaged the home her mother had luckily evacuated a day earlier and ended forever the carefree waterfront vacations her family had enjoyed on the Mississippi coast. The Rearick’s three children were directly affected: Claire, the youngest, was so moved she suggested, months after the August storm, bringing Christmas to Katrina’s youngest victims. Debbie began emailing friends, energy and ideas grew, the Rearick living room filled with donations; and, alone, she made the 980 mile trip in a 15 -foot truck “filled to the brim.” At an elementary school in Hancock County, the magic of Christmas volunteers became the 2006 holiday miracle. Giant stockings were distributed to 400 grateful parents, who chose, Santa-like, from an assortment of donated toys, personalizing for their children gifts truly from the heart. Jeanna Essick nominated Debbie Rearick as a Person of Character because she is “organized, consistent and persistent, always coming through.” Debbie and her family have continued to assist the Bay St. Louis/Waveland area with the cooperation of the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn. “We all need to help each other all of the time,” she says. For further information, see the GECC web site: ww.glenellyncharacter.org.

“For 20 years, Karen Click taught high school students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders. She has a sibling with learning disabilities. Even so, when Click visits patients with her Sheltie therapy dogs, Jasper and Tofino, she is surprised. “You run into people genuinely happy in situations most would find very challenging,” says Click. Recalling pediatric burn victims or quadriplegic veterans in permanent care, she explains how her 11 year old littermates “motivate, like magic” and can “read” non-verbal communication. Sometimes Jasper and Tofino visit to provide comfort: at other times, the dogs attend school and become the focus for an elementary child, to improve reading skills. They have also eased patients struggling with physical therapy sessions, by distracting with their particular canine charm. Donning a therapy vest signals the Shelties that work is in order. Click distributes their “calling cards,” complete with photos and vital statistics, while the highly-trained dogs approach the patients. A pet therapy volunteer since 2001, she feels her service “puts (her) life in a different perspective.” Nancy Egerton, who was a childhood classmate of Click’s, in south Glen Ellyn, nominated her friend for having a respectful approach to both her professional and her volunteer work. For information about the Glen Ellyn Character Coalition, contact their web site @ www.glenellyncharacter.org.

Cleo Burtis grew up in Glen Ellyn and attended Forest Glen, Glen Ellyn Junior High, and Glenbard West. From early on, she felt as if she both “wanted and needed to treat people with respect.” Because she sought out situations where she could be with and help others, Burtis is a long-time volunteer for several groups. One endeavor is the Glen Ellyn League of Women Voters. There, she helps to encourage, educate, and involve citizens in local government. Burtis stresses that her work is non-partisan and explains that the league sponsors activities such as candidate forums, recently for Tammy Duckworth and Peter Roskam. To “shine a light” on the political process is how she thinks the league informs. Jenny Fischer, who nominated Cleo Burtis as a Person of Character, feels that Burtis is “dedicated and kindhearted - never seeking the limelight.” For further information, see: www.glenellyncharacter.org.