Past Recipients
Take a look back at some of the remarkable people who have earned the Hometown Hero Award over the years.
2017
Cheyenne Moore
Cheyenne is the first recipient of the Hometown Hero Award. After leaving Bremen, she attended Indiana University and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Cheyenne earned a Master’s Degree at the University of Maryland in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics. She now works for Eurofins Environmental Testing and lives in Highland, Indiana.​
2018
Elijah Trella
Elijah attended Northwestern University after graduating from Bremen. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Psychology. He married Deysi, his high school sweetheart. Deysi also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and is currently working as a Registered Nurse. They live in Morris, Illinois where they are awaiting the birth of their baby boy, Matteo, in late July. Elijah works for Veeva Systems, Inc., a leader in cloud-based software for the life sciences industry.
2019
Zoё Gurick
ZoÑ‘ attended Northern Illinois University after graduation from Bremen. Taking an accelerated program, she was able to earn two Bachelor’s Degrees and a Master’s Degree in only four years. Her first Bachelor’s
Degree is in Child Development. The second is in Psychology. Her Master’s Degree is in Applied Human Development and Family Science. She is currently working as a pre-K teacher (3 year olds) at the Gardener
School in Oakbrook. Zoё is excited about starting a new job working for DCFS in a reunification program for parents whose children had been in foster homes. Zoё lives in Elmhurst.
2020
Shaylynn Krause
Shaylynn went to Governor’s State University after her graduation from Bremen. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences / Community Health. She is now working on her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, also at Governor’s State. While working on her degree, Shaylyn works part-time at the Children’s Farm in Palos Park, and as a substitute teacher in Joliet. She lives in Midlothian.
2020
Ben Avila
After graduating from Bremen, Ben attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Actuarial
Sciences and Statistics. He is currently working for State Farm Insurance and lives in Bloomington, Illinois.
2021
Zachary Casper
Zach is a 2021 graduate of Bremen High School. Now, four years later, he is a graduate of Lawrence University in Wisconsin as well. His Bachelor’s Degree is in Business and Entrepreneurship. He’s considering pursuing a Master’s Degree next. Zach is currently working at Modern Woodman Financial Group, a fraternal financial services organization. Zach lives in Markham.
2021
Dylan Gluszek
Upon graduating from Bremen in 2021, Dylan studied Ocean Engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology. After a year in Florida, Dylan felt his heart being tugged back toward Midlothian. Dylan has always been involved In substantial community service projects. His one-man food drives have earned him the respect of his family, friends and community. His project was televised on all of the Chicago news channels. He continues to serve the needy by enhancing his collections and by assisting with the Bremen High School Food Drive. His real love, though, is with the Rising Star Martial Arts program where he serves as a Master Instructor. Along with his instructor, he helps to run a Tae Kwon Do program at the Midlothian Park District. He is looking forward to opening a school of his own. Dylan is working as a Teacher’s Aide at
Step-by-Step Day Care, a Security Supervisor at Credit Union 1 Amphitheater, and as a Master Instructor at Rising Star. His latest pursuit is Project Firebuddies, a nation-wide program created by firefighters that brings hope and joy to critically ill children and their families.
2022
Mike Castaneda
After graduating from Bremen in 2022, Mike attended South Suburban College where he earned an Associates Degree. He now attends the Illinois Institute of Technology, focusing on Mechanical Engineering. He recently finished his Junior year. Mike still lives in Midlothian. He works at the Michael’s Distribution Center in New Lenox.
2023
Katie Dolbeer
After her graduation in 2023, Katie Dolbeer, enlisted in the United States Army. She is doing well in the military, having earned top honors in her Advanced Individual Training. She is stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia and
Is working as an 88H Cargo Specialist. That’s military speak meaning she drives huge trucks around. Katie plans to get married and start a family after her military service.
2024
R.J. Avila
R.J. Avila is a 2024 graduate of Bremen. He is currently attending the University of Kansas. He enjoys the sports programs there while he works on his Bachelor’s Degree. R.J.’s major is Computer Science. He will graduate in 2028.
2024
R.J. Castaneda
R.J. Castaneda enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after his graduation from Bremen in 2024. His current rank is Lance Corporal. R.J. is currently stationed in California, where he is finishing advanced training in his field of Communications.
2025
Jordy Martinez
Jordy is the most recent recipient of the Hometown Heroes Award. He just graduated from Bremen in 2025 and will be starting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the fall. Jordy intends to major in Business. His experiences at Bremen will serve him well. He was a strong DECA student and performed well in state competition. Jordy is also considering extending his life of service to others by joining the Luminaria Committee of St. Augustine/St. Stephen’s churches.
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