Educators, scholarship winners, families and friends gathered alongside McKinley Park Civic Association members and officers to celebrate top teachers and leaders at the organization’s annual banquet and awards ceremony on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Association President Chris Bania noted the 53 consecutive years the group has hosted the banquet, congratulated top educators and the community service award winner, and introduced new student scholarships the association is providing to college-bound high school students.
Outstanding Educators for 2026 are Rosa Alvarez of Nathanael Greene Elementary School, Efrain Gonzalez of Thomas Kelly College Prep High School, Heidie Hernande of Blessed Sacrament Parish’s catechism program, Mark Jackowiak of the De La Salle Institute, Yesenia Juarez of Namaste Charter School, Debra L. Polak of Evergreen Academy Middle School and Gail Shoenbeck of St. Andrew Lutheran Church’s Sunday School program
Evergreen Academy Middle School Principal Marian Strok, standing, joins Illinois 1st District State Representative Aarón Ortiz and Illinois 24th District State Representative Theresa Mah at the association banquet.Jim Krok accepted his William H.G. Toms Community Service Award at the banquet, which took place in the hall of Blessed Sacrament Parish Church at 3745 S. Paluina St., Chicago.
Food Pantry
“I’m grateful to be part of a community that has commitment and kindness,” said Krok, who helms the twice-monthly David Brady Memorial Food Pantry.
Krok said he's "honored to be this year's recipient."
Rooted To Community
Top educators also expressed their gratitude for being recognized for their service.
"I feel very rooted to this community and am proud to be here," Shoenbeck said.
Collective Effort
Polak, who has occupied many different roles since she started working at Evergreen Academy Middle School in 1990, said the award was "a powerful reminder of why I'm doing this" and "a reflection of collective effort" at the school.
Bania and fellow association officers presented $500 academic scholarship checks to Anapaula Cerna Rivera, a student at the De La Salle Institute, and to Natalia Heredia, Sofia Salas and Dja Saens, all attending Horizon Science Academy - McKinley Park High.
Tough Climate
Scholarship winners were judged based on community engagement, volunteering and an essay answering: "What does civic responsibility mean to you?"
Alvarez said her Outstanding Educator Award was "not just for me, but for all teachers who help kids in McKinley Park."
"The climate in education is tough right now," Juarez said. "It's truly beautiful to receive some recognition."
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