Illinois Jaycees Receives National Awards at JCI USA Year-End Celebration
March 20, 2023-The Illinois Jaycees are proud to announce several national awards given out by JCI USA at the 2022 Year-End Celebration recognizing several of our chapters, members, and the state organization. The award ceremony was held at the JCI USA 2022 Year End Celebration in Nashville, TN on March 18.
Over 30 awards and recognitions were given out honoring a variety of members, chapters, and projects during 2022.
The Illinois Jaycees was recognized as one the top 3 state organizations in 2022 and received the George O. Wilson Memorial Award. The award is judged based on measuring the state’s planning, implementation, and impact of programming.
2022 State President Eric Hiatt was recognized as one of the Outstanding State President receiving the Allen Whitfield Memorial Award.
The Illinois Jaycees also was presented with the Dennis Hamilton Memorial Award for Best State Flagship Program for two projects conducted in 2022. The award recognizes up to 3 flagship programs conducted by state organizations that contribute to the JCI USA mission and vision. Halloween Happenings-Jaycee Kids Camp and Leadership Summit Virtual Watch Party with United to Beat Malaria received these awards.
The Palatine Jaycees was recognized as one the top 3 local organizations in the country with the Clarence H. Howard Memorial Award. The award is based on the chapter’s plan of action and programming.
Full Award List:
State:
Best State Organization-George O. Wilson Memorial Award: Illinois
Most Outstanding State Presidents-Allen Whitfield Memorial Award: Eric Hiatt
Best State Flagship Program-Dennis Hamilton Memorial Award presented to Halloween Happenings-Jaycee Kids Camp
Best State Flagship Program-Dennis Hamilton Memorial Award presented to Leadership Summit Virtual Watch Party with United to Beat Malaria
Outstanding State Membership Director (Region Director): Lanna Bartko
Special Partner-Rob Ray Memorial Award presented to: Andrew Medlin, Special Partner to Lanna Bartko
Chapter:
Most Outstanding Local Organizations-Clarence H. Howard Memorial Award: Palatine Jaycees
Visionary Chapter Award: Springfield Jaycees
Member:
Most Outstanding Local Presidents-Charles Kulp, Jr. Memorial Award: Lindsay Schubel, Palatine Jaycees
Most Outstanding Local Member-John. H. Armbruster Memorial Award: Rick Tracy, Palatine Jaycees
Most Outstanding New Member-C. William Brownfield Memorial Award: Amanda Carlstrom, Palatine Jaycees
Most Outstanding Local Chapter Officer-Heidi Juttner Memorial Award: Jesica Dick, Menard County Jaycees
Most Outstanding Local Chapter Officer-Heidi Juttner Memorial Award: Patrick Meyer, Springfield Jaycees
Empowerment Award: Emily Reyes, Palatine Jaycees
Empowerment Award: Emily Watts, Chatham Jaycees
Local Project:
The Outstanding Local Skill Development Program: Super Couponing by the Palatine Jaycees
An Outstanding Local Growth & Development Program: Jaycees on Tap Social by the Champaign Urbana Jaycees
An Outstanding Local Personal Skills Development Program: Emergency Response by the Palatine Jaycees
An Outstanding Inter-Organization Collaboration Project: Learning Community Needs by the Springfield Jaycees
An Outstanding Local UN SDG Program: STEAM Fair by the Palatine Jaycees
An Outstanding Local Community Development Program (Dr. Jerry Bruce Memorial Award): Bruegala 2022 by the Bloomington Normal Jaycees
An Outstanding Local Community Development Program (Dr. Jerry Bruce Memorial Award): Hometown Fest by the Palatine Jaycees
A Best Local Peace Project: Levitt AMP Grant Awards by the Springfield Jaycees
RISE UP Presidential Medallions
· Vanessa Birchler
· Jenna Broom
· Anthony Colleti
· Megan O’Brien
· Dawn Stangle
· Ellyn Thorson
10th Degree Certificate of Achievement:
· Casey Bridges, JCI Collinsville
· Sarah McKillop, Palatine Jaycees
· Megan O'Brien, Palatine Jaycees
​
​
Civic Leadership Certification (CLC):
· Illinois Jaycees
· Bloomington Normal Jaycees
· Champaign Urbana Jaycees
· Palatine Jaycees
“I am so proud of our members and chapters to be recognized for all the impact that was made during 2022 throughout the state. The Illinois Jaycees being presented the George O. Wilson Memorial Award as a top state organization is all because of the hard work of our members across the state. I would like to congratulate all the members and chapters recognized and thank the entire Illinois membership for “Igniting Your Passion” during the past year. It has been an honor leading the Illinois Jaycees during 2022,” said Eric Hiatt, 91st State President of the Illinois Jaycees.
​
Awards can be viewed here. Photos taken accepting the award will be uploaded to the online photo album when available.
Leadership development through community involvement has been the basis of the Jaycees since its inception in 1920. The goal of the not-for-profit organization is to provide members a means to reach their full potential through networking and personal growth opportunities. The Jaycees is ideal for proactive young people, ages 18 to 40 to enhance a variety of skills as they work together to implement civic and individual development activities in their local communities and chapters. Illinois has one of the largest Jaycee member populations in the United States. Please visit www.illinoisjaycees.com for more information on the Illinois Jaycees or to be connected to a local chapter.
###