December 13, 2024 1:45pm CT
ETHS 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients: Alvin Keith ('69), Steve Newman ('86), Schenita Stewart ('92), Anthony "Tony" Mason ('84), and Scott Byron ('71).
Five alumni of Evanston Township High School (ETHS) received the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award at an induction ceremony on December 9. The ETHS District 202 Board of Education and the ETHS Alumni Association sponsored a recognition ceremony where the following recipients were honored: Scott Byron (Class of 1971), Alvin Keith (Class of 1969), Anthony "Tony" Mason (Class of 1984), Steve Newman (Class of 1986), and Schenita Stewart (Class of 1992).
The Distinguished Alumni Award Selection Committee evaluates the nominations each year and selects the recipients. The committee is made up of students, current and former ETHS faculty and staff members, community members and alumni. The ETHS Distinguished Alumni Award program was established to recognize and honor the outstanding accomplishments of ETHS graduates and, by celebrating these role models, to inspire today’s students to follow their own pursuit of excellence.
About the 2024 Recipients:
Scott Byron (Class of 1971) is a landscape company owner who has designed iconic public spaces, including the plaza and outdoor history trail at the Chicago History Museum and the English Walled Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. He helped establish the Education Fund for the National Association of Landscape Professionals and co-founded the Education Fund for Visiting Practitioners at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Alvin Keith (Class of 1969) is a retired professional who worked more than 30 years for Amoco Oil Corporation/BP. During that time, he rose through the ranks, eventually being named the president of Amoco Pipeline Company and in charge of worldwide refinery coordination. Prior to his retirement, Keith was BP’s highest-ranking Black executive. At ETHS, Keith was an all-state football player and captain of the 1968 iconic state champions, a member of the 1968 state champion basketball team, and a member of the 1967 state runner-up track squad.
Anthony "Tony" Mason (Class of 1984) is president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Urban League, which provides meals to more than 300,000 people and rental assistance to more than 50,000 people each year. Mason's dedication to the Indianapolis families was recognized in 2023 when he received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the highest honor bestowed by the governor of Indiana. At ETHS, Mason was co-captain of the 1984 boys’ basketball team that was the runner up in the Illinois state championship.
Steve Newman (Class of 1986) is the executive director of the Evanston Scholars program, which he founded in 2011. The program mentors students (primarily those of color and low-income and/or first-generation students) in the college process from pre-admission to graduation. IN his years as an English teacher at ETHS, Newman was involved in co-creating and teaching the Senior Studies Program. He received the prestigious Golden Apple Award in 2004.
Schenita Stewart (Class of 1992) is the first female Chief of Police for the Evanston Police Department, appointed in 2022. Stewart has more than 23 years in law enforcement and public service, including time with the Department of Children and Family Services, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Lincolnwood Police Department. She is an active leader in The Charmm’d Foundation and other organizations that support both children and the community.
