On Thursday April 17, the Neighborhood Services Department and the Neighborhood Services Advisory Board hosted the 5th Annual STAR Expo/Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn. 37 vendors were available during the Expo to display various services and programs, such as Construction Ideas LLC, Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club, CommUnity Matters, Ameren Act on Energy, Edwards Jones Financial and others. Three workshops were held during the event; Positive Youth Engagement, Police-Led Intelligence, and Homeowner Association Basics. Each workshop had good attendance and participation. A trio from Centennial High School’s Jazz Band named “Makeshift Creativity” provided great background music for the Expo.
The Awards Ceremony recognized 27 people for their accomplishments. The honorees/winners were:
* denotes winner for that award category
The University of Illinois Rip Chords, a 15-member female acapella group, performed the National Anthem. The keynote speaker for the award ceremony was Peter L. Levin, author of the book “We Are The Ones We Have Been Waiting For: The Promise of Civic Renewal in America.”
Master of Ceremony Drew Wilder from WCIA during the STAR Awards Ceremony
Champaign Mayor Don Gerard addressing the audience
The Illinois Rip Chords performing the National Anthem
2014 STAR Expo
2014 STAR Expo
Participants in the Homeowner Board Basics Workshop
2014 STAR Expo
Neighborhood Services Advisory Board Member Charlotte Miles presenting an award