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20 Most Admirable Residents of 2009
Stories by Judy Buchenot & Megan Baumgartner
Photos by Jane Donahue Unless Otherwise Submitted
 Zaidi Syed
Local Restaurant Owner Supports Local Charities
Zaidi Syed has been in the restaurant industry for over 20 years. While in college, Zaidi worked as a line cook in an upscale French restaurant and was eventually promoted to Executive Chef. After working several years in the kitchen, Zaidi began working towards a career in restaurant management. With over 10 years experience with Sullivan's Steakhouse and other popular restaurants, Zaidi decided to open his own restaurant in 2008. Zaidi's Restaurant features a menu that fuses the exotic tastes of Japanese cuisine and Asian and Latin spices. Zaidi's has also become well known for their popular Celebrity Bartender charity events which have raised money for several local charities including Little Friends Inc., NCO Youth & Family Services, Naperville Humane Society and many more.
 Naperville's "Secret Santa"
Bringing Smiles at Christmas Time
"I started the Secret Santa program with a couple of neighbors last year as a way to get our kids involved with helping the community during holidays," says Naperville's official "Secret Santa." The group shops for and provides Christmas gifts to needy families throughout Naperville and the Western suburbs. "We were shocked to hear that there were over 600 families right here in our backyard that were in need of help," says "Secret Santa". Last year, the group raised over $7,000 and helped out 200 kids. "It was an amazing experience," says "Secret Santa." This year, Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House helped the group host an adoption party on November 20th where residents could adopt a child and purchase gifts. For more information, email visit www.napervillesecretsanta.org.
 Angela Han
Bringing HighRise Academy to Chicago
In 2006, while working in Columbus, OH as part of a financial leadership program, Angela helped start a youth mentor program targeting low income, high-potential high school students called HighRise Academy. Students receive training in test taking strategies, college applications, and financial aid literacy. Now back in Naperville, Angela hopes to continue to inspire and mentor students. With plans to open a new HighRise office next year in Chicago with her boyfriend Chris Shi. www.highriseacademy.com
 Kim Wolf
Making the Community a Better Place
Naperville resident Kim Wolf, along with her husband Randy, founded the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation in 2007. With approximately 600 kids affected by autism in Naperville alone, and a 12-year-old son who takes a bus an hour away to go to school, Kim and Randy felt residents dealing with autistic children deserved a schooling and residential facility in their own community. Currently, the organization has plans to break ground in the Spring of 2010 with a tentative opening during Fall 2011. Turning Pointe will also be collaborating with WDSRA and other autism agencies in hopes to benefit and set an example for other communities. www.turningpointeautismfoundation.org
 Ronald Hume
A Passion for Helping Others
Ron Hume has been the Executive Director at NCO Youth & Family Services for almost 3 ½ years and has over 25 years experience as the executive director of nonprofit agencies. In describing his time at NCO, Ron said, "I am so proud of the accomplishments of our staff and board in preventing teen drug and alcohol use, in bringing hope to individuals and families through counseling, and in preventing homelessness. It is truly an honor and a privilege to work for such an outstanding agency in this caring community." www.ncoyouth.org.
 Dr. Michael Litow
Nationally Acclaimed Educator & Counselor
Dr. Michael Litow is the founder and Executive Director of The Education Center of Developmental Resources. When Dr. Litow founded The Education Center in 1979, his goal was to make a positive difference in the lives of at-risk children. Over the last three decades, Litow has used a non-traditional form of counseling, which he refers to as "life coaching," to help children & teens identify their strengths, gain self-confidence, take responsibility for their own actions and make good choices. www.theeducationcenter.org
 Dr. Mike Lakota, D.D.S
Accepting Candy Donations For a Cause
This Halloween, local dentist Dr. Mike Lakota of Ogden Dental in Naperville lead an anti-tooth decay movement by giving away dollars, glowing electric toothbrushes, free ice cream and a chance to win an iPod in exchange for cavity-provoking candy. Just days after Halloween, Dr.Lakota invited children to bring in their excess candy in exchange for $1 per pound. The collected candy was then sent to troops overseas through an organization called Operation Gratitude. "Kids could still have all the fun of trick-or-treating, and their piggy banks benefitted as well," said Dr.Lakota. "Plus, sending care packages to our troops, who often receive no mail, will warm their hearts." www.napervillesmiles.com
 Dr. Manal Ibrahim, D.D.S.
One Outstanding Orthodontist & Mother
Due to her unique background in aesthetics, prosthetics, implants and orthodontics, Dr. Ibrahim of Innovative Orthodontic Centers has the ability to treat patients presenting any degree of complexity. This year, Dr. Ibrahim was presented with the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Award for Best 5 under 5 and also won the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Award. In addition to owning her own practice, Dr.Ibrahim is also a wife and mother of two boys.
www.orthocenters.org
 Eileen Stephens
Mom, Wife and Community Volunteer
Eileen Stephens is a mother of four, but does so much more than caring for her own. In 2009, she served on the board of the Paige Nichol White Pediatric Cancer Center Foundation, was president of the Still Middle School PTSA and volunteered for Kidz Kabaret. She placed 30 Spanish kids in Naperville homes and led a month of activities for them in her role as Regional Coordinator for Share America. She also managed to arrange for legal guardianship with loving Naperville families for three siblings who had lost their parents. Her husband, Mcleod, nominated his wife because he says she is "loved by everyone and asks for nothing."
 Jim Brown
Sharing His Life's Work
After serving as a coach for St. Raphael Football, Jim Brown understood the impact of sports on young lives. He realized the game of football can teach values and life lessons effectively. The St. Raphael program is one of the strongest in the country and earned the "Honoring the Game" award from the Positive Coaching Alliance in 2008. Jim wanted to share the skills he had learned over the years and began to write a book 15 years ago. After many rewrites and much perseverance, More Than a Game was published this year. The book is a fictionalized story based on his real life experiences with youth.
 Patricia Merryweather
Reaching Out To the World
Patricia Merryweather is Senior Vice President of the Illinois Hospital Association, but has taken her expertise to Kenya, India, South Africa, Turkey, Dominican Republic and Panama. Many of her experiences have been Rotary Club projects including a trip to a village in Naivasha, Kenya to address extreme poverty conditions. She helped establish a clean water source and bath house in Duppada, India that brought tears of joy to the village's women during another Rotary trip. She was part of the Rotary Middle East Summit where warring countries met to discuss peace. Locally, she has collected toys for needy children and sent supplies to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 Alex Kahn
Striving Towards Leadership
Alex Kahn may only be 14-years-old, but he is on the road to being a future leader. His Gregory Middle School math teacher nominated him for acceptance into the National Congressional Youth Leadership Council based on his high academic and leadership performance. Alex was accepted into the program and joined 200 other students from grades 6 through 12 for a six-day program held in Washington, D.C. in October. Each day, the students were introduced to leadership skills followed by activities. One of the highlights was a mock trial where Alex served on the defense team and won the case. He also toured many sites in the capitol.
 Kyle Reschke
Sharing the Gift of Education Abroad
24-year-old Kyle Reschke recently traveled to American Samoa as part of World Teach, a unique program offered through Harvard University's Center for International Development. He spent a year living and teaching on the outer islands of American Samoa (Manu's islands). Reschke currently is an instructor at the Naperville Rec & Roll. He has been working with the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) since he was 15-years-old. He is a graduate of Naperville Central High School and, while not traveling, resides in Naperville with his family.
 Dr. LaVacca, D.M.D.
Local Dentist Gives Back
As the owner of his own Naperville practice, Naperville Dental Specialists, Dr. Anthony LaVacca, D.M.D., wears many hats. A certified prosthodontist, Dr. LaVacca has presented lectures both nationally and internationally on several topics. Dr. LaVacca is also one of three dentists for the Chicago Blackhawks team. 2009 was a year of giving back to the community for Dr.LaVacca as he participated in and donated cosmetic dental services to the 2009 Networking for a Cause event and the Zaidi's Celebrity Bartender Night, both benefitting the efforts of the Naperville Cultural Center. www.ndscare.com
 Major Tracey Collins
An Army Major & Excellent Mom
Illinois Army National Guard Major Tracey Collins returned recently from a twelve-month deployment in Kabul, Afghanistan. She was awarded both a Bronze Star and a Combat Action Badge for her service to her country; and big hugs from her husband and two sons for returning home safely. While in Afghanistan, Major Collins helped set up camps and housing facilities in barren areas. She was fired upon near the Pakistan border and rockets were also fired at her base. She now looks forward to serving as a full time mom to her sons, ages 2 and 7, and as a wife to her husband, Bill.
 Alexandra Ciucur
A Young Modeling Finalist
Nine-year-old Alexandra Ciucur will be heading to Orlando, FL this month to compete in the nationals for the 2009 Miss Junior Pre-Teen title. She was one of ten finalists selected from 120 competitors in a Chicago contest. To be selected, Alexandra, who is called Ally by her friends, participated in formal and casual wear events followed by an interview. Ally enjoys the spotlight and has modeled in an American Girl Fashion Show. She has a twin brother, Stefan, and attends Beebe Elementary School. She enjoys volleyball and gymnastics and is a cheerleader for the Naperville Patriots football team. Alex hopes to one day become a lawyer.
 Lane Lewis
Running For a Cause
Lane Lewis has always been a supporter of DuPage PADS through his church, Our Savior's Lutheran. He also had started running as part of a lifestyle change. When he read about a 5K Run to support PADS, he decided to make it his first race. He appealed to friends to be his sponsors for the September 12th event and earned two first places. He was the top individual fundraiser at $2,715.50 and placed first in his age group of 40 to 44-year-olds. Lane, who has two daughters, recently gained a new running partner when his family welcomed a young man as an exchange student into their home.
 Chuck Newman
Building Hope for Future Generations
He is the founder of Newman Architecture in Naperville, but has shared his skills with other countries as the co-founder of Schools for the Children of the World. He organizes and travels with groups to build and renovate schools. The group has gone to Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia to work on school projects. The organization has built six schools and renovated more than 50 schools in poor countries. Newman has personally traveled to Honduras over thirty times and has been to all of the other countries except Zambia to help with projects. The group is now looking at projects in India and Afghanistan.
 Kris Scadden
Offering Hope to a Friend
For three years, Kris Scadden has hosted a fundraising garage sale for SMA in her home. The effort began when her daughter Kyra became best friends with Angie who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disease that inhibits movement. Kyra wanted to help her friend and Kris supported her all the way. The first year's sale filled her garage. The second year spilled onto the lawn. This year's sale required pitching tents and using neighbors' yards. The sale has expanded to include a silent auction and a raffle. At press time, the total raised for SMA research at the September 19th event stood at $12,700.
 James Branch
Raising Support & Awareness for Prostate Cancer
When James Branch was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007, he went looking for information and support. He found Us Too International which provided everything he needed. Once his surgery was completed, he wanted to volunteer for this group that has been so supportive. He began to reach out to the African American community, as black males are twice as likely to get the disease. His efforts were so sincere that the group asked him to become co-chair of the annual SEA Blue Prostate Cancer Walk in Lincoln Park in Chicago. James accepted the challenge and the September 13th event raised over $100,000 for prostate cancer support, education and awareness.
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