September 1, 2009
School Choice Illinois announces PARENTS Empowered award winners
J.C. Huizenga to serve as keynote speaker at awards ceremony on Oct. 8

CHICAGO – Today, School Choice Illinois announced the award winners, who will be honored during an Oct. 8 reception, for its first-ever PARENTS Empowered Awards. The awards celebrate Illinois citizens who take an active role in education therefore benefitting students and their community.

Making school choice a reality takes elected officials, business and civic leaders, donors and philanthropists, corporations, and parents. Their efforts make it possible for children to have a chance at lifelong success. With nominations running from February to July, the following individuals were selected for their exemplary dedication to education.

Featured PARENT leader:

• Robert (Bob) Muzikowski, Chicago Hope Academy

Other leaders who make school choice a reality in Illinois from the following categories will be honored: legislator, foundation/philanthropist, community organizer, and civic organization:

• Steve Solomon, Exelon Corporation
• Adrienne Leonard, Parents for School Choice (Renaissance Schools Fund)
• State Rep Art Turner
• State Senator Dan Cronin
• Robert (Bob) Gilligan, Catholic Conference of Illinois

These leaders give their time and resources to volunteer, mentor, and advocate for quality educational programs each day, whether in their communities or in their child’s school with little recognition. We feel it is time they get the credit they deserve.

The Oct. 8 awards dinner will feature longtime school choice advocate J.C. Huizenga as its keynote speaker. Huizenga is the founder and chairman of one of the countr's fastest-growing education providers National Heritage Academies. NHA is an educational service provider and has grown it from one school to serving over 32,000 students in 53 schools across five states. NHA continues to partner with communities to open new schools with a vision to better educate more children. NHA was listed in Inc. magazine’s “500 Fastest Growing Private Companies” four different times.

The PARENTS Empowered Awards will become an annual event for School Choice Illinois. PARENTS, which represents Parents Advocating Rights in Education Now for The State, comprises a group of parents that are concerned and interested in expanding educational options for Illinois children to ensure each child has access to the best education possible regardless of their economical status or geographical location.

Schedule of Events:

6:00  to 6:45pm
W e will hold School Choice Coalition Summit.  This part of the event will be to network with your fellow awardees and discuss current school choice activities in the state of Illinois with them, other school/parental choice leaders, and the Board of School Choice Illinois.      ·        

7:00  8:30
We will have a reception with light hors doeuvres and drinks.  The awards ceremony (with a speech from a special quest) will commence at 7:15 and will end by 8:30.