For more than 50 years, educators have taught generations of Yorkville middle school students to put their best foot forward in the annual Square Dance Jubilee.

She leads her business with compassion, always putting her employees first and creating a supportive environment.

She leads with compassion, gives back quietly, and puts her people first. Meet Dr. Ashley Dickerson — a Kendall County 2026 Everyday Hero, as nominated by the employee who sees her in action every day.

The lifelong Yorkville resident, who did pole vault in high school and later at North Central College and teaches at Oswego East, now is a volunteer track and field assistant at Yorkville High School.

Roger Matile has been the volunteer director of the Little White School Museum in Oswego since 1994. Last year, he was named an Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year by the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

Marine veteran Tom Bulin, of Oswego, said what most people forget about the Vietnam War is that most of the fighters on both sides were very young.

Twenty-one years after retiring from the Navy Nurse Corps, Priscilia Laubscher, of Oswego, continues touting the teamwork and communication skills necessary to thrive under challenging situations.

Check out our photos from our Thank You Veterans special section in Kendall County for 2025.

Ken Ridgeway has a creed that he’s remained faithful to no matter his calling: give 110% in everything you do. He's lived that commitment as Plano High School groundskeeper, and carried that dedication overseas as a steam plant operator aboard ships in the U.S. Navy.