The Maryann Mills Award for Excellence

We are excited to announce the return of The Maryann Mills Award for Excellence in Academics and Citizenship!

*I am unable to update the current total without starting a brand new page. Please NOTE - The funds are now at less than $2,000!

As many of you know, we lost our beloved mother almost four years ago. As a tribute to her incredible life, we have decided to reward a select group of our students at Unity Jr. High in Cicero who have shown excellence in academics or citizenship, with an award in her name. 

Our mother was a perpetual student and a strong proponent for rewarding the achievement and dedication of all students particularly those in underprivileged communities. She was a constant storyteller and lover of all things literature and writing. She wrote a column for the Chicago Tribune for several years before writing for “Special Sections” and then moving on to substitute teaching at Leyden High School. She was then named the Director of Public Relations for Leyden School District and remained in that position for over 30 years. 

She leaves behind her husband, Big Dave, of 54 years, three pretty awesome kids; Michael (Saundra), David, and Marisa, and two extraordinary granddaughters; Gia (19) and Kirianna (7). She devoted her entire life to her friends, her work, her love of learning, and most of all - her family. If you knew our mother - whether it was in passing or you spent countless hours at her dining room table, sharing laughter and most likely a meal - she loved you. Her life, as well as her passing, have had a profound impact on everyone who knew her. The lives she touched are infinite and forever changed. It is only fitting that we continue to share her legacy with the amazing children at Unity Jr. High. 

My brother and I are both educators at Unity. Choosing our students to receive this award allows us to connect with the recipients on a personal level and reward them for their hard work and commitment to their education. 

The awards will be presented to students with high achievement of excellence in academics or character in our school. Recipients will be nominated by the educators at Unity and will be chosen by the Award Committee. The award winners will receive an educational tool (IPAD) at the end of the school year in honor of our mother. Your donations will purchase the educational tools to be given to our students. Our hope is that this will become an annual award that we can continue to give to our students for years to come. Last year, we were able to award 12 Unity students each with a brand new IPAD, a gift card, a journal, and a bag full of other goodies for them to enjoy. 

We thank you for your contributions and for all your support both in our grief and in our commitment to excellence in education and character.

Sincerely, 

Marisa Mills, the award committee, and the entire Mills family