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Light Rain Shebitz essay contest winners recognized
District 24 honored some of its best writers and recognized a man remembered fondly by so many at the April 20 Board of Education meeting.
George Shebitz, the district’s longtime attorney, died in February 2006. He was known as a champion for the civil rights of students as well as a scholar on Thomas Jefferson. Since his death, District 24 has held an annual essay contest in which students are asked to write essays on Jefferson.
The George Shebitz Essay Contest is open to fifth-graders, who study American history that year. One winner is chosen from each school. This year’s top writers were Jane Khan from the Brooklyn Avenue School, Nelson Bricker from the William L. Buck School and Nathaly Viteri from the Robert W. Carbonaro School.
Each student received a $100 savings bond, donated by the Shebitz family. On hand for the presentation were Shebitz’s wife, Randi, son Adam, and daughter-in-law Sandra.
Board of Education trustee Tony Iadevaio said every year for the essay contest presentation, he wears a tie that was given to him by Shebitz. “George was a person who was a giver,” Iadevaio said. “I respected him so much and it was a tragedy when he left us.”
