Romeoville Students Win 'Character Counts' Awards

Three Valley View School District 365U students from Romeoville received 2013 Character Counts Awards at the Romeoville Village Board meeting Wednesday night.

Honored were Hermansen Elementary School 5th grader Samantha Garcia, Martinez Middle School 8th grader Brittany Osborne and Romeoville High School senior Emma Stark.

“These youngsters are making a difference in people’s lives,” said Ron Oestreich of the Bolingbrook/Romeoville Character Counts Coalition who presented the awards along with Kristine Wahlgren.

Garcia, who will donate her hair to Locks of Love this weekend for the second time in her life, is a “wonderful student” who always has a smile and “is compassionate when others are hurting,” according to Hermansen’s Jane Sutkowski who nominated her.

“She is a good role model for the students,” Sutkowski said. “She tries hard to do what’s right.”

Osborne, who is involved in many activities both at Martinez and in the community, is an A/B student who serves as an AVM Ambassadors because of “her leadership skills, positive attitude and willingness to help others,” according to Martinez’ Mimi Taylor, who nominated her.

“This year she asked to serve as a mentor for any student who may be struggling at school,” Taylor said. “She is the only student who approached me with this request.”

Stark, who works as an aide in the RHS Dean’s office and is a Spanish tutor in the World Languages Department, participates in numerous school events and activities including Best Buddies where she serves as President.

“Emma is special because she has, and continues to, overcome many personal obstacles but always manages to be positive and help others,” said RHS Assistant Principal Yolanda Jordan, who nominated her.