Highland Park Awards
Highland Park High School | 433 Vine Ave.
The City of Highland Park is pleased to announce the 2025 Highland Park Awards recipients. Presented annually, the awards recognize those who have made positive, sustained, and impactful contributions to the community in their respective category. The Arts Award, Environmental Award, Humanitarian Award, Character Counts Pillar Awards, photography contest awards and Highland Park business anniversary recognition will be presented by the City of Highland Park, the Park District of Highland Park, North Shore School District 112, and Highland Park High School at a ceremony on April 9 at 6:30 PM at Highland Park High School.
Arts Award
This award recognizes outstanding achievements in, or contributions to, the arts in Highland Park. For the award, arts can include visual arts, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, or sculpture; performance, such as dance, theater, or music; architecture; literature, including poetry, fiction or script writing; and web production and graphic design.
Environmental Award
This award recognizes individuals and businesses who have made substantial contributions to improve the environment.
Humanitarian Award
The Highland Park Humanitarian Award is presented to an outstanding Highland Park individual who has rendered significant personal service to the Highland Park community. Selection is based on personal and community service.
Character Counts! Pillar Awards
These awards are designed to recognize community members who have demonstrated the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. The Character Counts Steering Committee is made up of representatives from the City of Highland Park, the Park District of Highland Park, North Shore School District 112, and Highland Park High School.
Business Recognition
The City will recognize the following businesses celebrating their 50th anniversary:
Ablaze Group
Music Gallery
Go Promotions
Keyth Security
Photography Contest
The City’s annual photography contest attracted over 140 photographs submitted by nearly 40 photographers! Winners in the Arts & Architecture, Daily Life, and Environmental categories are chosen by the Cultural Arts Advisory Group. All entries are judged without photographer identification (titles only). The community at large chooses the Community Favorite. Winning photographs will be on display at the awards ceremony.