The Community Caring Conference hosted its annual Community Hero Awards Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 4.

 

The awards are broken down into several categories - Youth, Education, Organizations, Business, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, Individuals, and Health Care Workers. 

 

Denkmann Elementary was chosen for the Education category for its school-wide fundraiser it held this past September for a 6th-grade student Jose Lopez. Jose is currently battling cancer and the school was able to raise more than $11,000 to help Jose's family cover medical and transportation costs.

 

Jose and his family along with the three staff members who shaved their heads for the fundraiser joined Principal Versluis at the awards banquet. 

 

For the category of Youth, Rock Island High School student Riley Jones won for her "Black Pride" artwork. Riley submitted her artwork "Black Pride" into the 2021 Congressional Art Competition in Illinois’ 17^th Congressional District and won! Her artwork will hang in the U.S Capitol for a year. That same piece was also turned into a mural and painted in downtown Rock Island. 

 

Superintendent Dr. Lawrence presenting the award.

 

Principal Versluis accepting the award. 

 

From left to right: Ms. Jackson, Ms. Kerr, Mrs. Zimanek, Jose Lopez, Principal Versluis, and Superintendent Dr. Lawrence