* * Distinguished Alum 2022 * *
Lori Andre, Niles North Class of 1976
Lori lives in Chicago and married her high school sweetheart. She has three boys and grandchildren. She runs a successful shoe business, Lori’s Shoes, in Northfield and is the co-chair of community outreach for I AM ALS.
Lori has worked tirelessly towards efforts to combat ALS, while running her successful shoe business. All of this work is done with humility, fierce dedication and extraordinary grace. Lori’s husband Brian (both class of 1976) was diagnosed with ALS approximately 5 years ago. Once they got over the initial shock of this devastating diagnosis, they got to work! They, along with others including Chicago resident, Brian Wallach, launched the organization I Am ALS, and have made more strides getting US government funding for ALS research than ever before. I Am ALS has made other notable strides in patient advocacy, ALS research, and is revolutionizing how to cure this disease. A simple google (see links below) of Lori and Brian Andre’s names will surface reporting on much of their efforts. Below are links to supportive facts indicating how revolutionary their work has been in the Chicagoland area, for the entire ALS community and beyond, in addition to running a successful family owned business for decades.
https://iamals.org/stories/lori-andre/
Niles North Distinguished Alumnus Award 2022-23 Nomination
Niles North High School is seeking nominations for the Distinguished Alumnus award. Nominations shall include supporting documentation about the nominee such as achievements in their field, significant contributions to their community, and their association with Niles North.
The award recipient will be requested to attend our annual Awards of Distinction program to accept their award and give a brief speech about their experiences in high school and post high school. The 56th Awards of Distinction will take place in May, 2022 (Exact Date, In-person or Virtual, TBD). At this ceremony, current students are also recognized for their accomplishments in areas of athletics, scholarship, and community engagement.
Previous nominations are taken into consideration each year. Nominations are accepted until February 28, 2023. Questions about this award, the nomination process, or selection process can be sent to NNHSDistinguishedAlumnus@gmail.com.
Selection is made based on the following criteria:
- Graduated from Niles North.
- Attended at least three years of high school at a District 219 high school (this can also include Niles East).
- Has made a significant contribution to his or her field and/or in the community, and
- Had a meaningful experience as a student at Niles North High School.
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
(1989 to Present)
2022 - Lori Andre, '76
2021 - Jayesh Rathod, '93
2020 - Dr. Roxanne Henkin, '69
2019 - Jose Moreno, '02
2018 - Gregg Fleisher, '79
2017 - Dr. Mark Rasenick, '67
2016 – Marina Pazin, ‘00
2015 - Maxine Winer, '79
2014 - Julie Smolyansky, '93
2013 - David Ko, '97
2012 - Dr. Michael Ruchim, '72
2011 - Michael Kim, '74
2010 - Dean Klassman, '74
2009 - Pankaj Sharma, '98
2008 - David Walton, '94
2007 - Marc Silverman, '89
2006 - Ross Deutsch, '79
2005 - Carrie Hightman, '75
2004 - Paul Toback, '81
2003 - David Rosengard, '70
2002 - Michael Jay Margules, '78
2001 - Lynn Schreiber Price , '73
- "I was honored as a Distinguished alum several years back. Very touching. Most wonderful moment was I didn’t realize it was being televised on the local TV station. In my acceptance speech, I talked about three NN teachers who made a difference in my life. Turns out one of their friends was watching the show, called her, and subsequently I received a letter from her.
Wonderful to be able to say thank you so many years later. " - Lynn (Schreiber) Price, -73
2000 - Marc Schulman, '72
1999 - Howard Friend, '69
1998 - The Hon. Louis Lang, '67
1997 - Edie Turovitz Kasten, '75
1996 - Michael Krasny, '71
1995 - Jay Footlik, '83
1994 - Allen Sutker & Mark Polinsky, '79
1993 - Neal Sabin, '74
1992 - Irene Suzukida, '70
1991 - Capt. Daniel L. Ley, '77
1990 - Paul Lisnek, '76
1989 - Dr. Steven Gitelis, '69