Agnes Ma is one of nine visual artists and five poets whose work will be on display for the “Arts in Action” exhibit at the Ellwood House Museum in DeKalb.

Lincoln Smelser is the conductor and music director of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Jordyn Jackson started volunteering in the community when he was 6 years old. Now 14, Jackson volunteers with more than 30 organizations, including Trash Squirrels and DeKalb County Community Gardens.

DeKalb resident Julie Jesmer co-founded Trash Squirrels, a local cleanup group, with her friend Laura Adkins in July 2020.

Randy Caspersen, an assistant professor of media studies at Northern Illinois University, filmed and produced the documentary “Plants, Pollinators & Prayers” about the garden at Mayfield Congregational Church in Sycamore.

Matya is the executive director of Opportunity House Inc. in Sycamore. He took over the leadership role in September 2021, succeeding Robert Shipman, who retired from the organization after 29 years.

Jessi Haish LaRue has always been interested in local history, and she has a unique tie to one of DeKalb’s three barbed wire inventors – Jacob Haish was her fourth-great-uncle.

Recent Northern Illinois University graduate JoAnn Kofoed said the biggest setbacks she’s had in life were a catalyst to help her pursue her true passion: art.

The two bagpipers are members of the DeKalb Firefighters Highland Guard, as well as the Associated Firefighters of Illinois State Honor Guard. They are also lieutenants with the DeKalb Fire Department.