The 2010 Shining Star Award winners were honored at Mount Prospect’s grandest event of the year, the 17th Annual Celestial Celebration on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Bristol Court Banquets, 828 E. Rand Road in Mount Prospect. A “Shining Star” is a person or organization who routinely steps outside of their own obligations to family, job, or community.

The 2010 Shining Stars are as follows:
 

	Best Business Partner Award – Tom Nelson & Roberta Hamann, Byte Me Computers More than just a community-minded Mount Prospect business, Tom Nelson & Roberta Hamann are a great example of a proactive business. Byte Me Computers has graciously hosted and maintained the website for the Northwest Suburban Council of Boy Scouts for many years. Involved with the Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association since its inception in 2005, and beginning his third year as its President, Tom Nelson has worked tirelessly to organize the downtown businesses into a cohesive group. Today, the association hosts numerous successful events including the New Years Eve Party for Kids, the Halloween Fall Festival, and Oktoberfest. They also provide and maintain the downtown merchant’s website.
	Champion for Youth Award – Jim Miller, Mount Prospect Fire Department Fire and Life Safety Educator / Investigator Jim Miller has been serving the youth of Mount Prospect for over 15 years. He is well known throughout Mount Prospect schools for his unique ability to connect with young children and convey the importance of Fire Safety in their lives. His tireless enthusiasm for his mission raises him head and shoulders above the call of duty. Employing many innovative and exciting demonstrations of his own design, he captures the attention of his young audiences and imprints life-saving knowledge to their impressionable minds. If there is one face in Mount Prospect recognized by more children, it belongs to Jim Miller.
	Youth Service Award – Brian Krause, Youth Coach Brian Krause shares his love of sports with countless Mount Prospect children. Brian has coached or coaches kid’s baseball, football and basketball. Along with his passion for sports, Brian imparts a deep sense of fair play, sportsmanship, and team spirit to all who are fortunate enough to be on one of his teams. The best part of Brian’s teams is how well they work together and treat each other. The kids, no matter what the difference in skill level, are always cheering and supporting each other. The parents of his players are grateful for the life lessons he teaches their children and know they will last long into adulthood. There are many dedicated men and women who give their time and talents to young athletes, but Brian’s commitment to his task is palpable at their games and a major part of who he is. His parents and players love him and Mount Prospect loves him too.
	Good, Better, Best Neighbor Award – Brian Kiel, Neighbor Extraordinaire Although Brian Kiel may claim he is the one with great neighbors, Brian is singled-out buy a small army of his appreciative neighbors. Up and down the 2000 block of West Haven Street, neighbors recount Brian’s selfless acts of good, old-fashioned acts of kindness. Among the many examples given, the August storm of 2007 left many Mount Prospect residents without power for an extended period of time. Although Brian’s own home was prepared for just such a disaster, Brian traveled to his father’s home to secure a generator for his neighbors. Staying up with them into the early morning hours to periodically switch power among numerous neighbors, they fought off the danger of flooding with his relentless loyalty to his neighbors in his small corner of the world.
	Home Town Award – Laura Haas – Halo Hair & Nail Studio Laura Haas is one of those people who uses the resources available to her to impact the lives of families and children in her community. In many cases, she identifies those whose urgent medical situations need a helping hand. Using her business, Laura's well publicized events draw large crowds that come to support her and her efforts, a true example of home town spirit. A busy day for Laura and all of her stylists result in sizable amounts which are turned over in their entirety to the day’s recipient. Her creative and generous approach to community involvement is all about the cause, not the business. Mount Prospect is truly fortunate to have people like Laura Haas in our lives.
	Rising Star Award – Martin Diaz, Hersey High School Senior Martin Diaz is well-known around Hersey high school. His school spirit is enormous and he takes every opportunity to rally his school to the same level. Counselors and students alike say “He is a large part of Hersey’s school spirit at games and pep rallies.” Not only is Martin a diehard Hersey fan, he excels in his academics as well. Occasionally we see students whose approach to life belies their young age and stands as a preview of a life filled with opportunity and the orchestrated preparations to meet those opportunities. Martin Diaz is one of those students.
	There Ought to be More People Like This Award – William & Dolores Shillington, Givers all the way Bill & Dee Shillington have always put the needs of others ahead of their own. Longtime volunteers for the Salvation Army, Dee & Bill have made countless trips for disaster relief in Illinois and beyond including numerous trips to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. At home, there are endless examples of their caring nature as well. During a weekend trip to their summer home, Bill left early to visit the nearby home of a Mount Prospect resident’s mother for some much needed repairs. Dee is a volunteer “shopper” for disabled senior citizens in Wheeling Township and led Girl Scout Troop 370 for 10 years. Dee is also a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Funeral Luncheon Volunteer Group which provides funeral luncheons in the Saint Raymond Community Room at minimal cost to parishioners.
	The World is a Better Place Award – Parenti & Raffaelli, Ltd., Architectural Woodwork & Custom Cabinetry Although Parenti & Raffaelli have occupied their location for over 20 years, you may not know who they are. Specialists in the art of fine woodwork, they have outfitted many a corporate office and boardroom with exquisite craftsmanship. Today, their reputation in the industry precedes them. Successful in their own right, it is their extra-curricular activities which have earned them this year’s “The World is a Better Place Award.” They have created memorable gifts for visiting dignitaries through the Sister Cities Commission and the Community Band exchange programs. They also reproduced the façade of the old General Store, now Capannari Ice Cream with historic accuracy. Not only did they accept these challenges, they enthusiastically provided them at no cost.