Teen Camp Staff Award Winners

Each year, JCC Chicago awards outstanding teen leaders who worked over the summer at Apachi Day Camp, Sunrise Day Camp-Chicago and Camp Chi overnight camp. These leaders are among 1,300 teens employed over the summer and develop critical leadership, problem solving and life skills that enable them to be successful in their personal and professional pursuits long after summer ends.

Meet the Winners:

Camp Chi Atkins Ultimate Staff Star Award Winners

Every year Camp Chi presents this award to one staff member who creates innovative camp programming, represents our camp values of Chesed (Kindness), Kavod (Respect) and Kehilla (Community), and who goes above and beyond their responsibilities while demonstrating commitment to leadership.

Emily Muray and Denver Thompson

Denver and Emily were both returning Waterfront Directors this summer. As leaders of this team, they not only maintained a high level of safety and efficiency at our lake and pools, but also redefined programmatic experiences. They brought back Jr. lifeguard programs to teach kids safe water techniques, brought kids through the ravine, and taught kids to fish. However, the greatest accomplishment was starting the cove island specialty. This activity combined aquatics and outdoor adventure and created our most popular activity this summer.

Michael Reese Health Trust Scholarship Award

This award is granted to Sunrise Day Camp-Chicago staff who are seeking a degree or certification in a health-related field, such as nursing, child life, social work and physical therapy.

Emma Zislis

“Sunrise Day Camp Chicago has taught me the power of play, friendships, and community over the past two summers. I have always been extremely devoted to helping others and working with young children. There is an indescribable feeling that I get when the kids walk off the bus. They immediately run to play tag with their friends, sit with each other participate in various activities, and just chat. Watching the connections between the campers flourish throughout the summer is something I never thought would impact me the way it has. Knowing that the children and their siblings whose lives were put on hold because of cancer makes these friendships even more unique and special.”

Kyndall Robinson

“My passion for working with children, particularly those with special needs, has always been deeply rooted in my personal experience of growing up with a twin sister who has cerebral palsy. This passion has driven my commitment to becoming an occupational therapist. The hands-on experience I gained at Sunrise has been invaluable, providing me with practical skills and insights that I would not have acquired in a classroom setting. The strength and resilience of the campers, particularly those who have siblings with cancer, inspired me and deepened my commitment to helping children overcome their challenges.”

Sylvia Plucinski

“The little moments are what fill life with happiness. Being a counselor at Sunrise Day Camp helped me value this motto. Each day was about the small things such as a camper telling me their favorite joke, reaching the top of the climbing wall, or even showing me their Lego bakery they made. These moments made campers feel empowered and joyful. Realizing how resilient and courageous these kids were even when they’re dealing with so many outside factors is something I strive to embody. Being somebody that they could look up to was a heartwarming feeling but in many ways they were also role models to me.”

Zach Marcheschi

“Working at Sunrise Day Camp-Chicago has allowed me to experience working with children of different ages who are all battling different issues. As a psychology major, I knew I wanted to be a therapist, but I did not know what demographic I wanted to work with. After my summer at Sunrise, I have decided that I would like to be a therapist for adolescents and help them through the “awkward phase” of their lives or help them if they have behavioral issues, traumas, or just need someone to talk to. Sunrise Day Camp Chicago has also surrounded me with a community of people I know will support me; a second family in a sense.”

Apachi RUACH Award

This award recognizes an outstanding individual from each camp who exemplifies the core values of the Apachi Day Camp program: Community, Kindness, Courage, Care for the World, Respect, and Spirit.

Ally Fein

Apachi Village Northbrook
Ally Fein has worked at Apachi Village Northbrook for six summers progressing from her roles of counselor to CIT head counselor, and this year she was back again as our enthusiastic, dependable and friendly Unit Head! She is a natural team leader, beloved by the campers, staff and families. She proactively jumps in wherever she is needed at camp and can be found happily organizing and participating in every specialty. She exemplifies the fun spirit of camp and is an invaluable member of our camp team.

Chavie (Jennifer) Zeller

Apachi Village Rogers Park
Chavie Zeller was a huge asset to our camping team this summer. Her positive attitude and kind and gentle manner are just some of the reasons that her campers and parents loved her! Her campers were always engaged in fun activities, and she easily pivoted when changes needed to be made to the schedule. Chavie shows a genuine enjoyment of working with children and was always engaged with them throughout the day. We were so grateful to have her on our team this summer!

CJ Fortier

Apachi Irving Park
CJ Fortier was an integral part of our staff from day one. He jumped right in with all the staff training even being front row when learning a new Israeli dance. When the campers arrived, he gave them his undivided attention getting them excited even when they were unsure of different activities. CJ never let anything get to him this summer. He ended the summer as a co-captain for Maccabiah where he was the hype man for his team.

Elliott Topp

Apachi Old Town
Elliott Topp exemplified the Apachi values daily. He was a role model to not only his campers, but the entire Old Town community. Elliott showed up every day and gave 110% to his campers, even with a torn ACL all summer long! Kudos to Elliott, Apachi is so thankful to have you a part of the Old Town family!

Emily Freedman

Elaine Frank Apachi
Emily Freedman has been a valued member of the Elaine Frank Apachi team since the summer of 2021. Over her time at camp, she’s excelled in multiple roles, both as a specialist in our outdoor adventure area and as a counselor. This summer, Emily became our ultimate camp staff floater, seamlessly stepping in wherever she was needed, across all areas and age groups. Emily embodies the spirit of flexibility and enthusiasm. She’s a team player who’s always ready to make things happen. No matter the challenge, she arrives at camp motivated, focused, and with a smile on her face, never allowing anything to get in the way of her mission.

Emily Hollman

Apachi Northside
Emily Hollman is a bright light at Apachi Northside. She just completed her fifth summer at camp and her first year as an assistant unit head. Emily takes the time to engage with campers from the opening car line to the end of day departure. Always greeting campers, staff, parents with positive energy and kindness, we are lucky to have her as part of the Apachi community. She represents all the values of camp and spreads RUACH wherever she is at camp.

Fumnanya Nwabudike

Apachi Evanston
Fumnanya Nwabudike truly embodies Apachi in everything she does, despite this only being her first year with us as a staff member. She demonstrates an empathetic understanding of her camper’s needs and interests, and she is quick to step into additional roles to take on more responsibility. She is personable, warm, encouraging, and does all that she can to participate and support the camp community. We have never witnessed Fumnanya in any mood other than happy, energetic, and spirited at Apachi.

Lainey Cohen

‘Z’ Frank Apachi
Lainey Cohen is one of our most spirited counselors at ‘Z’ Frank Apachi! Her infectious smile and contagious energy inspire her campers to be their best every day. She is kind and thoughtful with everyone she meets, which is why her kids always look forward to their time with her. Campers adore Lainey, whose laughter and positivity create an environment where joy and friendships thrive.

Nasiah Lee

Apachi Hyde Park
Nasiah Lee is RUACH personified. In her three summers at Apachi Hyde Park, two as a counselor and one as Sports Specialist, she energetically embodied camp spirit by throwing her whole self into everything she did, and bringing other staff and campers with her. She demonstrated her love of celebrating Shabbat by loudly singing Shabbat songs any day of the week. She dressed head-to-toe in red to lead her Maccabi team with enthusiasm and sportsmanship.