2021 Hall of Fame Inductees

• Community Service: Cynthia Worsley, 78, of Sandwich, IL

• Education: Jerry Stefl, 73, of LaGrange, IL
  

• Labor Force: Harriet Hawkins, 73, of Oak Park, IL

• Performance/Graphic Arts: The late Richard Hopper, Riverton, IL 
  

Community Service Category - Cynthia Worsley

A proponent of the aging population for nearly 40 years, Cynthia is the outgoing executive director of Fox Valley Community Services, a nonprofit organization serving older adults in DeKalb, Kane, Kendall and LaSalle counties. When COVID shut down their in-person programming last spring, Cynthia and her staff worked tirelessly and creatively to keep older adults engaged and combat social isolation. She, along with her staff, made hundreds of wellness calls, delivered baskets of cheer, implemented a new series of parking lot activities, and distributed over 1,500 units of PPE to older adults and community members. Cynthia was also a driving force behind the opening of a new adult day service center in DeKalb to help older adults in the area continue living vibrant, independent lives and avoid early nursing home placement. 

Education Category - Jerry Stefl

An art and design educator at both the K-12 and higher education levels, Jerry has dedicated his career to cultivating high quality educators and programs for students and teachers. For 33 years, he divided his teaching time between Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park and the School of the Art Institute Chicago, where he led future educators in fieldwork experiences, as well as taught Continuing Studies courses for students from age 8-80. Working with the Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, Jerry helped infuse arts learning with the STEM curriculum, a project in which he is still engaged. Jerry also serves in many volunteer roles, including as an advisor to the College Board's AP program, and he was an early member and leader of the Illinois Art Education Association, which has served tens of thousands of teachers and millions of students.  

Labor Force Category - Harriet Hawkins

With a nursing career spanning 50 years, Harriet is recognized as an expert in the field of pediatric nursing and a compassionate advocate for the smallest patients. Since 1982, she has worked at Lurie Children's Hospital, where she has held various roles, including Resuscitation Coordinator, member of the Neonatal/Pediatric Transport Team and Clinical Educator. Aside from her professional activities, Harriet donates her time to provide medical care to individuals experiencing homelessness at the Housing Forward Medical Clinic, and she has volunteered in more than a dozen countries. Harriet has dedicated her life to serving and healing others, at home as well as abroad, and has touched countless lives throughout her career.

Performance and/or Graphic Arts Category - Richard Hopper

Richard started his career as a public servant at the age of 29, eventually becoming Chief of Police for the Village of Riverton. He took great pride in serving his community, responding to calls during the day and at night would answer any emergency calls on the "red phone" at his residence and respond alongside his deputies. In 1978, Richard transferred to the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office, where he swore to serve and protect for the next 23 years. Richard was a man with strong ethics, a deep respect for and knowledge of the law, and a love of music. He played in many bands from age 14 to 72, and started a band called Jonnie and the Cyclones, which produced a record.