Please join us on Thursday, April 23, 6:30 PM at the Highland Park High School for the annual Highland Park Awards Ceremony! Celebrate the outstanding winners of the Arts, Environmental, Humanitarian, and Character Counts awards, the winners of the photography contest, and Highland Park businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries of 50 and 75 years of service.  Arts Award Recipient: Secret World Books Secret World Books (owned by Highland Park residents Gayle and Michael Brandeis) is recognized for its catalytic community engagement and dedication to supporting and fostering the arts in Highland Park. Since the business’s opening in 2023, Secret World Books has hosted numerous events, partnered with other local businesses and organizations, welcomed high-profile visiting writers, and nurtured Highland Park’s literary arts community. Environmental Award Recipient: Heather & Colin Cosgrove Heather & Colin Cosgrove are honored for their dedicated volunteer stewardship of the Red Oak Elementary School vegetable garden. Their sustained commitment and leadership of this educational and community-focused program resulted in more than 100 lbs of fresh produce that supported neighbors in need through the Moraine Township Food Pantry. Humanitarian Award Recipient: Louis Greenwald Louis Greenwald is honored for a lifetime of philanthropic work in support of education in Highland Park. As a founding member of the District 112 Education Foundation, Greenwald served in leadership capacities and led numerous campaigns to enhance educational opportunities within District 112 and support teacher grants. Additionally, Greenwald has been a dedicated volunteer working to implement programs to support student growth, safety, and opportunity, and extend students’ learning beyond the classroom. Character Counts Pillar Award Recipients The Character Counts Pillar Awards recognize community members who exemplify the six pillars of character in their daily lives: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. 2026 Character Counts honorees are: Brianna Aragon, Trustworthiness Alice Banerji, Respect Eleanor Berman, Caring Meher Chodha, Responsibility Kody Cohen, Caring Marceline Edison, Responsibility Joel Espinosa, Responsibility Alexandra Fingerman, Caring Hania Fuschetto, Caring Delmy Mariela Damaso Garcia, Responsibility Jessica Gill, Responsibility Eileen Rubenstein Goldstein, Caring Tatum Good, Caring Lucas Hoobler, Citizenship Reina Kini, Citizenship Malina Krowka, Trustworthiness Annie Lerner, Responsibility Dr. Michael Lubelfeld, Citizenship Harold Lupa, Caring Evelyn Makris, CaringGeorge Mann, Citizenship Joe Peddle, Citizenship Ashley Quintana, Responsibility Dr. Cary Rositas-Sheftel, Citizenship Dylan Saffro, Responsibility Andrew Sequeira, Respect Shay Simpson, Caring Patti Solem, Caring Nathaniel Wieden, Respect   Capture the Heart of Highland Park Photography Contest Winners in the Arts & Architecture, Daily Life, and Environmental categories are chosen by the Cultural Arts Advisory Group. All entries are judged without photographer identification (titles only.)  The community at large chooses the Community Favorite. Winning photographs will be on display at the Taste of Highland Park in June, 2026, and are available on the City’s website. Arts & Architecture: “The Ultimate Cold Wave at Millard Beach,” Robert Limoges Daily Life: “Dusk-Fog,” Brad Slater Environmental: “Ice Wave at the Highland Park Boat Launch,” David Kopka Food Photography: “Sushi Sensation,” Lynn West Community Favorite: “Autumn in Fort Sheridan,” Steve Schaumberger   The Cultural Arts Advisory Group also selects honorable mentions for each category. Honorable mentions are: Arts & Architecture: “Spring at the Fort,” Mark Wagner Daily Life: “Hummingbird,” Karen Kaplan Environmental: “Fog 2,” Deborah Rubenstein Food Photography: “My Favorite Cheese Quesadilla at The Mixto Cuisine,” Jennifer Dotson   The inaugural winner of the student photography contest is: “Homecoming,” Lucas Hoobler Business RecognitionThe City will recognize the following businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2026: HP Community Early Learning Center, celebrating 75 years Pasquesi Plumbing, celebrating 50 years Pasquesi & Son, celebrating 50 years Ruben & John Auto Body Repair Inc., celebrating 50 years Dahlmann Properties Co., celebrating 50 years Questions may be directed to the City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000.