Every year, the North Star Awards recognize those working diligently, often behind-the-scenes, to make the Northside a better place to live, work and play. This year that work has been critical. As our country and our community grapple with two pandemics — one, COVID-19, sudden and recent, and the other, racism, deeply entrenched — individuals have stepped up to fill gaps in support and resources, to address inequities and to imagine new ways of being. Some of this work has been taking place for years and some of it has just begun. All of it is essential.
We hope you’ll join us Thursday, Dec. 10 at 6 pm to honor this year’s North Star Award winners. The Northside Planning Council will host the event via Facebook Live and Zoom. RSVP and learn more at Facebook.com/NorthsideMadison and northsideplanningcouncil.org.
Youth Award
Lailani Rivera
Nominated by Lauri Schwartz, Madison Starlings
Lailani Rivera, known as Lala, is a senior at East High School. Lala is an incredibly positive, unwavering force for joy, good and play. Her smile is contagious, and she lights up the room with unwavering optimism.
Since 8th grade, Lala has been a member of Madison Starlings, a youth volleyball club that competes while building community and teaching leadership skills. The Starlings have benefited from Lala’s gifts as she learned the position of setter, the “quarterback” position of the team.
As an athlete, Lala is intelligent and tenacious, fighting through pain many times to play and persevere. As a person, she is gentle, kind, understanding and helpful. With the support of an especially loving mother and family, Lala has developed the commitment to work hard in all aspects of life. Lala is a friend to all, and brings a joy that is a candle of light to so many, even in the darkest of times.
Individual Awards
DeShala Walker
Nominated by Rachel Deterding, Lake View Community Elementary School
In the words of her nominator: “When we think about Ms. DeShala Walker, Lake View Community School’s Social Worker, we can’t help but smile.”
DeShala is an excellent listener with an empathetic heart, a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh, and infinite positive energy that boosts everyone’s mood. As a Black woman, DeShala is a positive role model for all students, particularly those of similar cultural backgrounds who see themselves in her. Last school year, prior to the pandemic, DeShala planned and led a Black Girl Step Team after school club. During the pandemic and through virtual learning, DeShala has stepped up to meet the ever changing needs of students and families in collaboration with other school staff.
As the first point of contact for all Lake View families in MMSD’s Transition Education Program (TEP), DeShala works every day to improve the stressful situation these families are in. Families with a TEP designation are living in temporary and tenuous housing situations. DeShala is an expert multi-tasker and problem solver of challenging and time-sensitive issues like transportation, food, clothing and other needs that emerge when a family is homeless or about to lose their housing. DeShala’s authenticity and caring spirit enables her to quickly develop trusting relationships with families so that she can effectively support them during difficult times.
DeShala has taken on many leadership roles in MMSD and Lake View, including with MMSD’s Black Girl Magic Conference, as a member of Lake View’s student services team and staff wellness work group, as a restorative justice circle keeper at Lake View and more.
DeShala’s compassion, leadership, and unique personality and perspective, and commitment to equitable practices have been essential at Lake View, especially during the pandemic.
Sonia Spencer
Nominated by Susan Cavers and Brandon Warner
Sonia Spencer is the resource coordinator for Mendota Elementary Community School. Sonia received multiple nominations for a North Star Award for her tireless work in and out of the work week to ensure that Mendota Elementary scholars and families have the meals and resources they need to make it through the pandemic. She reaches out to families directly every day to show them care and to get to know them on a personal level. And although this work has taken on new urgency during COVID-19, Sonia has been leading it for years at Mendota, long before the pandemic began.
Sonia’s work might be most visible when she is there in person at the weekly food pick-ups for families, or running the food pantry, but it also happens behind the scenes. Sonia navigates the complex network of school staff, students, families and Northside organizations to build relationships and create an integrated community system. She uses her voice to speak her truth when concerns arise, even when it may be challenging to do so. Sonia truly believes in the power of the Northside community, and she brings that power with her wherever she goes.
Sonia, thank you for everything you do to support the Mendota community. Your impact is felt across the Northside, and I’m happy to be able to present you with this North Star Award.
Tehmina Islam
Nominated by Ed Blume, Safe Skies Clean Water Wisconsin
A caretaker and protector of water, skies, children, families, and neighborhoods, Tehmina Islam is the center of many communities, including Eken Park neighborhood. As a lead organizer of Eken Park Resistance, Tehmina is a persistent and positive force holding together the group’s resistance to F-35 fighter jets and a shining example of the very best of community building.
Tehmina has been an intelligent, outspoken and compassionate ambassador for the Northside. As an activist in Safe Skies Clean Water Wisconsin, Tehmina has spoken on WORT radio and at large events about the impact that the jets would have on her community and on the families she serves as a midwife. As a member of the Safe Skies steering committee, Tehmina contributes her insights, dedication and hard work for the people and businesses on the Northside.
Tehmina is committed to the emotional and physical well being of so many. She can often be seen delivering groceries around Eken Park. She has been a North Star of hope, direction, birthing, activism and change, shining light and direction into the path of collective liberation.
Atasha Pinnell
Nominated by Justin Markofski, Packer Community Learning Center
Atasha Pinnell has set herself apart over the past few years through her ongoing work at Packer Community Learning Center, where she has moved from part-time computer lab staff to full time assistant program coordinator. Atasha and her partner Will are raising their own three children while working to support all of the kids in the neighborhood as if they were her own.
Atasha works to build up the identity and self-esteem of young girls with her girls’ group, and makes herself available every day to help navigate issues and social dynamics that arise. Atasha’s heart for the children and her willingness to be there with them inspires those around her.
During the beginning of the COVID-19 shut down in March, Atasha worked with various partners in the community to establish an emergency food, household and essential items pantry at Packer that has been helpful to many households in the neighborhood.
Additionally, Atasha keeps searching to find meaningful ways to support parents working hard and raising kids, knowing the challenges they face as a parent herself. Despite the obstacles that Atasha has faced throughout her life, she continues to not give up or lose heart but instead to press on with belief in herself and love for her family and with the help of prayer and faith. In the words of her nominator, Atasha is down to earth and gets things done.
Cecilia Sago
Nominated by Lauri Schwartz,
Madison Starlings
Northsider Cecilia Sago joined Madison Starlings, a nonprofit youth volleyball club, as a support staff two years ago. Cecilia took on the unwanted but critical position of creating spreadsheets and managing communications for youth coaches to track and send in their time and event records for a federal grant that the Starlings received. After the grant ended, Cecilia graciously agreed to continue with the club to manage the constant deluge of communications with youth needed to make it possible for them to volunteer at volleyball events.
Cecilia stepped into a system filled with confusion, and with her balanced, steady approach to organizing, she asked questions, addressed issues and found solutions. Although her work hasn’t been in the spotlight, Cecilia created the opportunity for Madison Starlings youth to earn their memberships and complete volunteer hours at many different events and in many different ways. It can be such a challenge to organize, reorganize, communicate and create understandable systems for youth and adults in ever evolving situations. Cecilia did this with kindness and commitment while raising her young son and working full time.
Cecilia was a behind-the-scenes hero, taking on a job that no one else would, and doing it successfully to serve many youth and families, who benefited from her quiet yet skilled talent and dedication.
Beth Sluys
Nominated by Dolores Kester and Maria Powell
Beth Sluys is a passionate and tireless advocate for protecting and improving environmental and public health on the Northside. Not only does Beth participate in many public processes, but she works to engage other Northside residents and organizations in important issues affecting the Northside. She publicizes upcoming meetings and shares updates on social media and via email, has helped to organize informational events and public hearings, and has published detailed articles about these issues in the Northside News.
In her work to preserve the Hartmeyer wetland, Beth spent countless hours researching regulations and ecological issues, and reaching out to scientists and Ho-Chunk leaders to learn from them and engage them in the process. She pored through tedious and technical DNR documents to learn about toxic contamination at the former Oscar Mayer factory site, and based on this research, relentlessly posed critical questions to government agencies about how developments there might impact workers and the surrounding community, especially the most vulnerable people.
Throughout all of this, Beth has faced much adversity and many challenges, and yet she keeps going with positive spirits and hope as she strives to make the Northside a healthier and safer place for everyone.
Cecilia Sago
Nominated by Lauri Schwartz,
Madison Starlings
Northsider Cecilia Sago joined Madison Starlings, a nonprofit youth volleyball club, as a support staff two years ago. Cecilia took on the unwanted but critical position of creating spreadsheets and managing communications for youth coaches to track and send in their time and event records for a federal grant that the Starlings received. After the grant ended, Cecilia graciously agreed to continue with the club to manage the constant deluge of communications with youth needed to make it possible for them to volunteer at volleyball events.
Cecilia stepped into a system filled with confusion, and with her balanced, steady approach to organizing, she asked questions, addressed issues and found solutions. Although her work hasn’t been in the spotlight, Cecilia created the opportunity for Madison Starlings youth to earn their memberships and complete volunteer hours at many different events and in many different ways. It can be such a challenge to organize, reorganize, communicate and create understandable systems for youth and adults in ever evolving situations. Cecilia did this with kindness and commitment while raising her young son and working full time.
Cecilia was a behind-the-scenes hero, taking on a job that no one else would, and doing it successfully to serve many youth and families, who benefited from her quiet yet skilled talent and dedication.
Veronica Figueroa-Velez
Nominated by Oscar Mireles
Since moving to Madison in 1994, Northsider Veronica Figueroa-Velez has established herself as an important part of the local community.
For the past 11 years, Veronica has been the Executive Director of UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence, a nonprofit that provides advocacy and support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. UNIDOS also serves as a resource for agencies statewide to ensure that Latinx survivors of violence are able to access local services. Under Veronica’s leadership, UNIDOS launched LA RED, a 24/7 Spanish language help line that made it possible for more people to reach out to UNIDOS in moments of need.
A North Star Award is far from the first recognition that Veronica has received for her contributions to the community. In 2018, Madison365 recognized Veronica as one of Wisconsin’s 32 most powerful Latinos for her work with UNIDOS, as well as for her leadership role with the Puerto Rico Relief Fund of South-Central Wisconsin, which raised nearly $90,000 in cash and in-kind donations to aid Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria hit the island.
While Veronica’s work is far-reaching, it is also very visible right here on the Northside. As a member of Dane Arts Mural Arts, Veronica has painted murals across Madison. She has worked with schools to host art clubs to engage middle school students in creative expression, and to talk to youth about serious issues like gun violence.
Pandemic Response Awards
Chase West
Nominated by Rachel Deterding, Lake View Elementary Community School
Chase West, MSCR Cares Director, is a kind-hearted leader with an impressive work ethic at Lake View Community School. Throughout the pandemic, his contributions to the school have gone above and beyond.
Chase is one of the few Lake View staff who work in-person with children every week during the pandemic while maintaining strict health/safety protocols. He is also the only staff member who also supervises a team of staff who run the MSCR Cares child care program at the school. Lake View’s MSCR Cares program provides safe, structured child care for children and families who need it the most during virtual learning. Chase and his MSCR team have risen to the occasion while keeping everyone happy, safe, and engaged in fun activities.
This year, Chase’s diligent leadership style and focus on creating strong systems that support smooth daily operations have been especially evident. Cares staff are ‘warm demanders’ who hold scholars to high standards and show them every single day how deeply loved they are. They do this while also managing virtual learning schedules, collaborating with teachers to meet students’ unique academic needs, nurturing children’s social and emotional development, and still somehow finding the time for recess and recreational activities. This has been no simple task, but they do it with ease thanks to Chase’s thoughtful and calm guidance.
Matt Galle and Sabrina Hilton
Nominated by the Northside Farmers Market Board of Directors
Matt Galle and Sabrina Hilton were chosen to be comanagers of the Northside Farmers Market in 2017. Since that time, they have earned a special place in the hearts of Northsiders.
Their passion for the Market and serving their community is on display throughout the summer and fall as they quietly go about the business of managing the operations and cheerfully welcome farmers, shoppers and volunteers each and every week, rain or shine.
They make it look effortless, but this is a year-round responsibility with multiple constituents whom they manage with little direction. During the winter, the managers are busy planning and preparing for the coming year. Even with their summer wedding in 2018 and the addition of baby Oliver in July 2019, they haven’t
missed a beat.
The challenges presented by COVID-19 in 2020 were daunting. Matt and Sabrina redesigned the market’s layout, assisted vendors with sanitation, and changed procedures to ensure volunteer safety. In these uncertain times, the re-emergence of the Market — safe, well-planned, and just as vibrant — was a gift to the Northside.
Matt and Sabrina’s influence has generated a positive vibe in the community as inspiring role models for youth, entrepreneurship, and the spirit of giving back.
Colin Murray
Nominated by Lauri Lee
Colin Murray has been the Executive Director of Dane Buy Local since early in its development 15 years ago. On behalf of the organization, Colin has led the charge to inform government leaders and consumers that local independent businesses are essential for the financial health of communities and success of minority- and women-owned businesses.
When COVID-19 hit and pandemic closures threatened the survival of small businesses, because of established relationships with the Dane County Executive’s office, Colin connected with them to see how small businesses could be helped. The start of the $10.8 million Small Business Pandemic grant was conceived, and County Executive Joe Parisi requested that Dane Buy Local
administer it.
Dane Buy Local is located at 2801 International Lane, helped benefit the Northside, City of Madison and Dane County businesses. More than 3,000 businesses have benefited from Colin’s hard work and long hours that started in March and will continue to the end of 2020 to help as many small businesses
as possible.
Jocelyn Quintal-Lepinski
Nominator requested to remain anonymous
Jocelyn Quintal-Lepinski is a dedicated educator and universal systems coach in the Madison school district who jumps into any task given to her. When MMSD announced that in response to the pandemic, school would be held entirely online, Jocelyn had a wonderful idea. She planned to learn how to make desks for students, and once she learned, Jocelyn took on the task of building nearly 200 desks for students. She provided these desks, free of cost, to students all across Madison. Any donations that Jocelyn receives she uses to buy more supplies. Jocelyn’s warm heart and passion for people has driven the work she does today.
FEED To Go Volunteers
Nominated by the Northside Planning Council
Over 100 new volunteers signed up to help deliver meals over a 14-week period. At its peak, we had 70-140 potential shifts per week, and we always managed to get them filled. The volunteers were flexible, compassionate, creative, communicative, patient and highly motivated. It was an incredible response to a very challenging moment, and they stepped up and made a difference. Thanks to their volunteer time, we were able to maximize our efficiency, save money and produce and deliver 30,300 meals to many of the most vulnerable residents in Madison.
Business Awards
Beef Butter BBQ
Nominated by Lauri Lee and
Martee Mikalson
Patrick Riha, the owner of Northside restaurant Beef Butter BBQ, read a news article about hospital workers and other frontline professionals pulling extra shifts without even stopping to eat at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospital cafeterias and many restaurants were closed, and takeout had limited availability.
The news article struck a chord with Patrick. He had made smoked turkey meals for over 300 people at The Beacon, the homeless day shelter, each year at Thanksgiving. This time, the community’s frontline workers needed someone to feed them. The smoked, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of Texas-style smoked brisket, pulled pork, chicken and sausages is great comfort food for many during times like this. He began to provide First Responder Meals to give back to the community. Patrick has always taken good care of the needs of the Northside, so he began by donating food in his own backyard to the police and fire stations in the North District and Maple Bluff and then expanded to frontline workers at St. Mary’s Hospital and UW Hospitals and Clinics.
Patrick was selected for a North Star Business Award in honor of his work serving the community through Beef Butter BBQ.
El Wiscorican
Nominated by John Minnich
Luis Carmona of El Wiscorican food cart can often be seen at FEED Kitchens on the Northside, focused and working hard. Luis is always willing to help other FEED Kitchens members by sharing his time and expertise. Those working around Luis characterize him as selfless, true and kind.
While he has lofty goals for his food business, those goals include not just supporting his own family, but supporting and keeping his right-hand man, Omar, employed as well. Luis’s goals also include giving back to the community. Luis is willing to help anyone around him in any way that he can, even at his own expense.
This spring, Luis helped to start the FEED To Go program, which at its peak was preparing and distributing 600 meals a day in the early weeks of the pandemic. Luis helped other chefs get involved, inventoried and ordered ingredients, and cooked many great meals for the program.
Luis has also set up his own kitchen at various sites in the area and given away many meals to people in need. He did this last year at The Beacon, the homeless day shelter on East Washington Avenue. He also collaborated with the High Noon Saloon for a relief fund benefit for post-hurricane Puerto Rico
This North Star Business Award recognizes Luis’s willingness to help out fellow chefs and generosity in giving away meals to people in need through El Wiscorican.