Joliet Township High School Students and Teacher Receive Honors and Recognition at NHBW Gold Star Awards Gala

Joliet Central High School Vocal Music Instructor David L. Jones and Joliet West High School student Adam Crump II were honored at the National Hook-Up of Black Women Gold Star Awards Gala on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Jones received the 2013 Gold Star Award for the Arts.  He is the Vocal Music Director and African American Planning Committee Chairman at Joliet Central High School. He also maintains the position of Pastoral Musician at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Joliet.

Along with being the recipient of the 2010 National Association for The Advancement of Colored People Educator of the Year Award, Mr. Jones maintains memberships in the National Choral Association, Illinois Musician Education Association, National Association of Negro Musicians, National Pastoral Music Association, Center For Black Music Research Columbia College and American Choral Director Association.

Also at the event, Joliet West High School student Adam Crump II and his group of friends, the “Ninjas,” received the 2013 Gold Star Award in the Youth Community Service Category.  The “Ninjas” are friends from diverse backgrounds that can be counted on to donated countless hours of manpower to charitable interests around the Joliet area. Not only are they on hand to help NHBW, Joliet Chapter, they also volunteer their time and abilities to Joliet Fun Fest, Feed My Starving Children and to seniors and other members of the community in need of help performing manual labor tasks around their homes.  Adam Crump II attends Joliet West High School where he is a member of the Football team and the oldest of 7.

In addition to Jones’ and Crump’s recognition, four students from Joliet Township High School had the honor of being State Representative Larry Walsh Jr.’s personal guests at the Gold Star Gala.  Walsh Jr. invited student participants from the Infant Childcare Program to attend the black tie event.

“This was a great honor for my students to be invited,” said JTHS Infant Childcare Director Debrah Clark. “His wish is for these students to be able to network with community leaders and find out about scholarship opportunities through the organization.”

The NHBW Gold Star Gala hosted over 350 members and supporters of the community. The National Hook-Up of Black Women helps spread their mission through various outreach programs like scholarships, parenting seminars, literacy programs, wellness forums, and domestic violence awareness workshops. The Joliet chapter of the NHBW was founded in 1991 and carries out the national goals locally by creating an atmosphere which enables women to make meaningful changes.