When the mother of Unity teachers Marisa Mills and David Mills passed away in November 2020, the siblings agreed on a unique way to honor her love of education and legacy of kindness — an award of excellence honoring good student character.

Marisa Mills, a seventh-grade teacher, and David Mills, a physical education teacher, created The Maryann Mills Award for Excellence in Academics and Citizenship, a reward for a select group of Unity students who, through nominations from their teachers, are recognized for demonstrating excellence in academics and citizenship. 

The brother/sister duo decided upon the award because their mother, Maryann Mills, was an ardent supporter of education. 

“We decided here at Unity, the students deserved something cool for how awesome they are, so we decided to create an award for outstanding achievement in school and community to honor [our mom’s] passions in life,” Marisa said. 

Maryann Mills spent over 30 years as the director of public relations for Leyden High School District 212, and previously wrote a “special sections” column for the Chicago Tribune and was a substitute teacher in District 212. Maryann Mills is described by her family as a lover of all things literature and writing, and a strong proponent for rewarding the achievement and dedication of all students, particularly those in underprivileged communities. 

To establish the scholarship, the Mills family launched a GoFundMe campaign in 2021, fundraising ever since.

At this year’s late May ceremony, 12 students were selected, receiving a certificate of appreciation and a brand-new iPad. 

Congratulations to this year’s winners!