Justin Wynn Fund honors Chute principal at Red Tie Soirée

The Evanston Art Center at 1717 Central St. was packed with participants for the annual Red Tie Soirée held earlier this month on Feb. 8. More than 180 people attended the Justin Wynn Fund’s (JWF) signature fundraising gala, showing their support by wearing a pop of red.

The event generated nearly $40,000 to benefit the Justin Wynn Leadership Academy (JWLA), a collaborative youth leadership and community improvement program that partners with nonprofit organizations in and around Evanston.

It was an evening filled with special highlights and touching moments.

Emcee Claudia Steinke, a 2011 Justin Wynn Award recipient, welcomed current and alumni “Wynners” (students in the leadership academy), community partners and supporters to the annual fundraiser. Laura Wynn-King was joined by her sisters, Kelli Wynn and Riian Wynn, in thanking the Red Tie planning committee, a host of event sponsors and donors, and more than a dozen high school Wynner volunteers.

Jim McHolland receives Buddy Portugal Award

Each year at the Red Tie Soirée, the Buddy Portugal Award is presented to an adult in the community who has made an outstanding contribution to Evanston’s youth. This year’s honoree is Evanston native and Chute Middle School Principal Jim McHolland. As principal, McHolland has focused on sustaining the “Chute Family” feeling with an unwavering commitment to growth and inclusion for all students.

Affectionately known as Mr. Mac to generations of learners, McHolland is retiring at the conclusion of the current school year after more than three decades of service in District 65. The Buddy Portugal Award was presented to McHolland by JWF board member and former Willard Elementary School Assistant Principal Jerry Succes. The two men have been friends and colleagues throughout their long careers in education.

The Wynn family ‘helped shape who I became‘

In his acceptance speech, McHolland got emotional while sharing memories of Justin Wynn and the Wynn family. He recalled an occasion during his youth when Justin’s dad, Mike Wynn, insisted that he stay for dinner.

“It’s experiences like this growing up that helped shape who I became working for the last 33 years in the Evanston schools,” said McHolland.

He reflected on the impact of the Justin Wynn Fund and the JWLA, consisting of fifth-grade to 12th-grade Justin Wynn Award recipients who attend monthly meetings, plan community service opportunities, and engage in leadership training and team-building exercises.

“This program that honors Justin and his memory is legendary and wide reaching in this community and has created that sense of Wynners as part of a lifelong family. It is with both pride and humility that I thank them for this honor tonight, as I … yet again … get to feel invited to dinner with the Wynn family,” McHolland said in closing.

Many of McHolland’s family members, friends and Chute Middle School colleagues celebrated with him at the Red Tie Soirée.

JWF celebrates community partners

The theme of this year’s Red Tie Soirée was, “Celebrating Youth Leadership and Community Partnerships.” Community engagement has been central to the success of the JWLA, according to the nonprofit’s executive director, Carrie Ost.

“We celebrated our partnerships with local nonprofits that provide community service opportunities for the students in the Justin Wynn Leadership Academy,” said Ost.

JWF Board President Ravi Randhava gave special thanks to representatives from 11 JWF community partners in attendance: A Just Harvest, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Bundled Blessings, Connections for the Homeless, Edible Evanston, Evanston Public Library, Evanston School Children’s Clothing Association (ESCCA), Interfaith Action Evanston, Park School, Vineyard Food Pantry and Women for Evanston Youth.

Randhava is a 1996 Justin Wynn Award recipient, and former student of McHolland. In his remarks, Randhava remembered “Mr. Mac,” his seventh-grade science teacher at Haven, as “someone who was committed to making sure every student felt welcomed, valued and engaged.”

Wynners demonstrate volunteer spirit

High school Wynner volunteers who currently attend Evanston Township High School, helped make the fundraiser a success. Thirteen members of the JWLA volunteered for the evening: Naomi Alemayehu, Atzi Brissette, Kayjah Etyem, Lily Fouts, Maya Jaffe, Sophie Levy, Alba Vickers-Machado, Hannah Matthews, Lynh Nassour, Seun Odufuwa, Abigail Silencieux, Josephine Teoudoussia and Natalie Weinert, all pictured in the photo above.

JWF honors life and legacy of Justin Wynn

The Justin Wynn Fund was founded in 1987 by Michael and Marcia Wynn, along with other community leaders, to memorialize their son, Justin Wynn, who died in a swimming accident when he was nine years old.

The Justin Wynn Award is presented annually to fourth-grade students from each of District 65’s schools. Recipients are selected by their teachers and school staff for exhibiting strong leadership, citizenship and sportsmanship — characteristics that were central to Justin Wynn during his life.

Award recipients, or “Wynners,” are invited to participate in the Justin Wynn Leadership Academy (JWLA) until their graduation from high school. Since 1988, almost 700 students have received the Justin Wynn Award.

Disclosure: JWF Board President Ravi Randhava is the author’s son.

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