2015 PERSON OF THE YEAR: MELODY SEATON

REV MELODY SEATON

SAUK VILLAGE |  Going through candidates for Person of the year 2015, one person rose head and shoulders above the rest.  When she came to the Village in 2014, she didn't just come quietly, she came with a fierce desire and a lot of spirit, some even say the Holy Spirit, to make Sauk Village just a little bit better. 

The Reverend Melody Seaton of Grace United Church of Christ not only is carrying on the 50 plus year tradition of the shuttered church, but began new traditions which the community as a whole can be proud of.  Seaton was runner up last year for Person of the Year, but this year she was a clear standout!

Seaton's outstanding contributions to Sauk Village include the Share the Warmth campaign of providing over 300 brand new coats, mittens and hats to Sauk Village school children over the last two years, Jammin for Jesus Community Fest and taking the leadership role of holding a Community Prayer Meeting right outside her Church welcoming everyone!  Additionally, she has taken her message to every corner of the Community, literally, by holding prayer on the streets of Sauk Village.

Now I'm not saying that other churches and organizations do not make great contributions, as we see

SEATON'S COMMUNIT PRAYER MEETING

Emmanuel Christian Reform church, who celebrated their 40th year in their church this year with feeding families with their ongoing food pantry.  Other churches should be glad to partner with the successes of Grace United Church of Christ and Melody Seaton!  Seaton's outreach from her church community has truly been a great thing for Sauk Village and she has been an outstanding pastor to her church and to the community.

If you've never heard Seaton sing the National Anthem, as she did for Veterans Day in 2014, you truly missed out!  I hope she plans to stay greatly involved in making Sauk Village just a bit better in 2016 and beyond.

Congratulations Reverend Melody Seaton, you are truly deserving of such an honor!

Former Honorees
SAUK VILLAGE PERSONS OF THE YEAR
2014:  Dr. Donna Leak
2013:  Derrick Burgess
2012:  Al Stoffregen
2011:  Robert Chavez

PERSON OF THE YEAR - 2014: Dr. Donna Leak

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Congratulations Dr. Donna Leak!  Leak is the Sauk Villager’s Person of the Year-2014!  Leak is Sauk Village School District 168’s first African American woman to serve as Superintendent of School.  Leak’s appointment as Superintendent was approved by a 4 to 3 vote but has quickly earned the respect of the School Board members and the community.

Leak and her staff have been reaching out to the community in some of the most successful attempts I’d ever seen!  The Back to School Bash was an absolute success!  The event didn’t cost taxpayers a penny!  Donations were solicited from Walmart, Target and Sauk Village’s own Fairway!  Leak brought together staff and school board members and had over 600 people attend, a number which far surpassed their expectation.  We look forward to a repeat success in 2015.

Leak also has put together Community Relations Advisory Councils including Parents, Teachers, Local Educators and Community members, residents and stakeholders within the District in a move to gather greater input from all segments of the community.  Leak also instituted a monthly Parents Coffee with the Superintendent.

Leak will face many challenges in the coming years by improving the School Districts abysmal standings.  “We need to improve our schools so that we can encourage young families to move to Sauk Village and become homeowners” Kelvin Jones, a candidate for Village Trustee said.  “Schools are an important part of what homebuyers look for when deciding where to move” Jones said recently.

Leak has been involved within the community attending Town Hall meetings and community events and has truly hit the ground running!  Hats off to Dr. Donna Leak, keep up the good work and we look for some exceptional improvements to District 168 and a new brand of leadership.

This was a very tough decision this year as others were considered for this distinction including Bill Hall who has worked tirelessly on putting together the Shine On Sauk Village Gospel festival for many years.  Trustee Derrick Burgess, even though he was 2013’s Person of the Year, he has continued to serve as an advocate for the Residents of Sauk Village.  Nannette Wargo for her many contributions to continue the Village’s Community Garden.  Reverend Melody Seaton of the new Grace United Church of Christ, which re-opened in Sauk Village after a brief hiatus was another candidate for this year’s honor.  Melody in her first year organized, with members of her Church, a drive to purchase new coats for needy Children in Sauk Village public schools.