Vehicle stickers in Summit look a little different this year — as they feature the work of a local student.
In honor of the Argo Summit Lions Club’s 100th anniversary, Summit officials partnered with the club and School District 104 for a student art contest to design the 2025-26 village vehicle sticker. The winning design came from Francisco Nevarez, a sixth grader at Heritage Middle School.
Summit Mayor Sergio Rodriguez, village officials, Lions Club President Tula Beene, and club Vice President Brian Ponczek selected the winner from more than 100 student entries.
Second place went to M. De La Torre of Graves School, and third place to E. Ramirez of Wharton School.
“The club approached the mayor and village board over the winter months with the idea, and they all liked the idea of getting local students involved,” Ponczek said.
The contest was open to fifth and sixth grade students. Winners were honored at the District 104 board meeting on April 8, where they received certificates for creativity and service to the community. The Lions Club also awarded gift certificates to the top three.
Nevarez, who couldn’t attend the school event, was recognized again during the June 16 Summit Village Board meeting. Officials presented him with a plaque and a sticker featuring his winning design.
The sticker will also be displayed at the Argo Summit Lions Club’s Corned Beef and Cabbage fundraiser dinner on Oct. 19 at Valladolid Banquet Hall. The dinner runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include live entertainment by Charles and Company. For tickets, call Ponczek at 708-837-8706 or contact any club member.
Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization. The Argo Summit chapter nearly disbanded in 2023 due to low membership, but Beene and others helped recruit 27 new active members.
“Our goal as a club is to give back to the Argo Summit community,” Beene said. “We focus on serving those around us and work hard to do it. We’re growing stronger by the day and look forward to bringing back the fundraiser we were known for — and more exciting things to be part of in our community.”