JIM PETERIK IS HONORED BY MORTON ALUMNI
                                       SPEECH GIVEN BY JEAN MIKOTA

On May 15, 2004 Morton High School District 201 held their first distinguished alumni award diner as part of its centennial celebration.  Out of thirty-five nominees, five were selected to receive a signed lithograph picture of Morton by artist Tom Lynch.  The nominees were selected for their outstanding record of service, leadership and accomplishments in their career, occupation or avocation.    One of the five nominees to receive their award that night along with actor Joe Mantena was our own Jim Peterik.  Jim a 68' grad was nominated and introduced by fellow alumni Jean Mikota for his contributions to the music world and being a pillar in his community.

   Jim told the audience about being a student at Morton and said, "his four years at West were the four greatest years of my life and four longest years of my life.  He also went on to say his success can be attributed to the teachers and education he received at Morton West.  "I had great teachers mentor me that maybe saw something in me that I didn't see in myself.  I am very fortunate to have success in what I love - music."
   Also on hand to help celebrate with Jim were fellow grads and Ides brothers, Larry, Scott, John, Bob and Chuck.  To top off the evening the Ides performed a few numbers to the delight of the crowd.
   Jean did an awesome job representing the fan base and wrote a wonderful speech describing who Jim is and why he should be nominated.
                                                                      

Hello, My name is Jean Mikota, graduate of Morton East 1975.  I have admired Jim Peterik for many years.  It is only in the last ten years that I have been privileged enough to really get to know him.    The things that I value most about Jim are that not only is he a great force in the world of music, he has never forgotten where he came from and his values have remained steadfast even with the demands that fame and fortune have put upon him.    He has been a mentor for many musicians, sharing his knowledge with others, and is always giving back to the community.

   Over many years, I can recall countless instances when he has donated his time for fundraising events, given instruments for charity auctions, even being inspired by the events of 9-11 to write new songs and then produced a fundraising CD for the victims families.  If there is trouble in the world, Jim can be counted on to make a difference.
   He has never been one to miss a performance and disappoint his fans.  Songwriting inspiration seems to hit him in the most unlikely places.  A story that comes to mind is that even though he had food poisoning and looked really ill, he came out to see his fans at an event last year and wrote a song 'on the spot' about it.  The song was called "Bad Chorizo."
   That song was only one of hundreds that Jim has written.  Not all his songs have hit the music charts, but he is still writing and delighting his fans with new material every year.
   In 2002, he published his first book, "Songwriting For Dummies", which serves as a handbook to everyone that has ever heard a song in their head, or had written a poem that could be set to music.
    We celebrate his many talents and I had nominated Jim for the Distinguished Alumni Award on behalf of the fans that have stood by him for many years.  Ht's great to see a nice Berwyn boy do good!!!
    He has been married to his wonderful wife, Karen, for over 30 years.  He is a loving father to his son Colin, dedicated to his family, his community and a devoted friend to many musicians, especially those who he calls his "brother" - the members of the Ides of March.  All, except for one, are Morton High School graduates and are with us here tonight...and the band has celebrated their fortieth anniversary this spring.
   We salute Jim Peterik, Oscar nominee and winner of the coveted Grammy and People's Choice Awards.  He has been honored countless times with gold and platinum records for his outstanding contributions to the music industry.  He is a gentleman and also a gentle man.  We call him our neighbor and most of all, our friend.  Truly, he has demonstrated the Morton Motto, "What I Will I Can."
   I personally want to thank you for all the pleasure that your music has brought to the world.  You have touched many people.