Applications are now being accepted for the Elgin Image Commission's annual Recognition Awards.
“There are eight different categories in which someone can be nominated,” said Sue Moylan, chairman of the Image Commission. “If an individual fits the criteria, they can certainly be considered.”
Individuals must be deceased for at least 10 years and have made a significant contribution in architecture, communications, medicine, education, the arts, military, government or public service, volunteerism or business.
“There are many, many individuals who have had a tremendous impact in Elgin or in the world in these categories and we believe they should be recognized,” said Moylan. “We will recognize them for now on a special website page that will be created, but eventually we would like to recognize them on a larger scale.”
Individuals must have a tie to Elgin; born and raised in Elgin and made a significant local contribution; born and raised in Elgin and made a significant contribution elsewhere; or born and raised outside of Elgin but made a significant local contribution.
Last year Elgin founder James T. Gifford was selected along with Trygvie Rovelstad and Carl Parlasca. Parlasca is credited for his work in youth leadership and was best known for creating the Song of Hiawatha pageant. Rovelstad is known for having created the U.S. War Department’s Combat Infantryman Badge among others. Gifford died in 1850. Parlasca died in 1979 and Rovelstad died in 1990.
Categories for individual consideration are:
Professional Architecture: This category will honor an architect who has created an exceptional building or public space.
Communications: The category will recognize any person who has made an impact within the communications field – authors, broadcast journalists, filmmakers, printer journalists or the like.
Education: This category will honor an individuals who have made a significant impact as a teacher, principal or administrator or has succeeded in providing greater access to education for all.
The Arts: This category will recognize an individual who has made a significant impact in the performing or visual arts.
Military/Government/ Public Service: This category will honor an individual who has made a significant impact within the military or as a Council or staff person within the City of Elgin government or as a representative or senator in state or federal government.
Science/Medicine - This category will recognize an individual who has had a significant impact within the field of science or medicine.
Volunteerism: This category will recognize an individual who has donated an extraordinary amount of time and effort to help promote a worthy cause inside or outside of Elgin.
Business: This category will honor an individual who has established a positive commercial or industrial entity inside or outside of Elgin.
The application link is below. Applications will be accepted through August 15, 2009.
Please print and fill out the application and send to the City of Elgin, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120, attention Sue Olafson or fax to 847-931-5610.