Grace Maletich Named Youth Citizen of the Year

Grace Maletich is Woodridge's 2011 Youth Citizen of the Year. 

She's an eighth-grader at gifted in both academics and athletics. 

nominated Grace for the award. In his nomination, Schmidt wrote the following about her:

"Ms. Maletich is the Secretary of Student Council, runs for her school’s cross country team and is a member of the Downers Grove Road Runners Soccer Team. She has attended Woodridge Schools, starting with as a kindergartner and now attends Jefferson Junior High. 

She has volunteered with Feed My Starving Children and competes in . Grace was on the high honor roll last year and also won the Jen Meents award for student–athlete accomplishments. Last year she competed at the state level for cross country and came in 18th place." 

Some accomplishments the recommendation missed: Grace is also a member of the Woodridge Sea Lions Swim Team and annually participates in the Downers Grove Bonfield 5K Race on Thanksgiving Day.

The village asks for nominations for Citizen of the Year, Junior Citizen of the Year and other awards each year.

The objective of the community recognition awards is to recognize individuals or groups of individuals for outstanding community service that contributed to the improved well-being of the people of Woodridge, according to the.

"I didn't even know that I was nominated, so I was very surprised when I got the call saying that I won," Grace said. "I was really excited when I won but a little nervous at the banquet when I accepted my award."

Lisa Maletich, Grace's mother, said she was extremely proud of her daughter.

"Grace is a great daughter and we are very proud of all her accomplishments," Lisa Maletich said. "She is very determined to succeed both in academics and sports."

Lisa Maletich also credited Grace's teachers and coaches with her success.

"Her accomplishments would not have been possible without the support provided by the teachers and faculty at both Willow Creek School and Jefferson Jr. High," she said.