Charles Gomez, of the southwest side of Chicago and a senior at John Hancock Preparatory High School, is the second place honoree in the Union League Club of Chicago’s annual state-wide Democracy in Action award competition. Gomez, 18, received the award and a $ 1,500 prize at the Club’s 127th annual George Washington Birthday Celebration, recently in the Club at 65 West Jackson Blvd. Chicago.

According to his three nominators: Karen Boran, Ed.D., Principal; Andrew Martinek, Social Science teacher; and Jeschelyn Pilar, English teacher at John Hancock College Preparatory High School on Chicago’s southwest side, Charles Gomez “ has a commitment to civics, free speech and the rule of law.” Gomez, a member of the John Hancock College Preparatory High School’s National Honor Society, has been a mentor and a leader of the school’s Student Voice Committee and has demonstrated his understanding of civic responsibility through his participation in the school’s “We the People “Constitutional Team which earned third place in a state competition.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Gomez (center) is congratulated at the Club’s annual George Washington Birthday Celebration by U.S. Air Force Lt. General (ret.) Thomas J. Keck, who was keynote speaker at the event (left) and F. Michael Covey, Union League Club President (right)