We’re thrilled to celebrate the four middle school students who have been honored with the prestigious 2025 Judith L. Snow Ethical Leadership Award. This year’s recipients are Owen Hanba and Lucy Harris from Lincoln Middle School, and Giuliana Madura and Hafsa Hakeem from Emerson Middle School.
The award recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding ethical leadership through their actions, values, and commitment to making a positive impact in their schools and communities. Here are just snippets of what makes these students such great leaders!
Owen created a seed library for the Park Ridge Public Library as part of his Eagle Scout project. The project not only showcased his leadership skills but also his dedication to bringing people together and encouraging sustainability.
“To me, ethical leadership means doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest choice, and thinking about how your actions can help others,” said Owen. “I try to live that way every day by being honest, respectful, and helpful in everything I do.”
Lucy embodies ethical leadership through her everyday actions and unwavering commitment to her core values. Lucy emphasizes the importance of “seeing the big picture” and acting with kindness. Her leadership in group settings involves taking initiative, dividing tasks, and ensuring projects are completed efficiently.
“An ethical leader doesn’t do things because it ‘makes them nice’, an ethical leader pushes themselves to implement their core values in their everyday lives,” said Lucy. “No ethical leader is perfect, but they strive to be better.”
Over at Emerson, Giuliana has consistently demonstrated ethical leadership through her strong morals and dedication to serving others. Giuliana's commitment to her academics and various leadership roles is evident, as recognized by her parents, teachers, and mentors. As a Soaring Eagle, Giuliana mentors younger students, helping them transition to middle school and serving as a positive role model.
“I will continue to take the initiative to lead, and no matter whether it’s a small or large act, I know that it will still make a big positive impact on the whole,” said Giuliana. “Supporting ethical leadership in everything that I do is something that I am very passionate about, and I know that this passion will only continue to grow as I grow as well.”
Hafsa showcases integrity, kindness, fairness, selflessness, and dependability in her daily life. As Vice President of Emerson's Best Buddies club and President of Student Government, Hafsa prioritizes making everyone feel valued and ensuring all voices are heard.
“Whether I'm playing a leadership role inside or outside of school, or just helping someone in need, I am committed to making a positive impact in my community,” said Hafsa. “These values not only define who I am but also shape how I lead, serve, and inspire those around me.”
The Judith L. Snow Ethical Leadership Award sets a high standard for stewardship. All D64 8th-grade students are eligible for this prestigious award. Their applications must include a compelling essay and strong recommendations from both a teacher and a community member.
