Elissa A. Lopez is currently enrolled at Northern Illinois University and is majoring in Sociology.  This is Elissa’s first year in college.  Elissa graduated from Joliet Catholic Academy with a cumulative grade point average of 4.25 on a 5.0 scale.  Elissa has volunteered to assist in Catholic Charities Youth Outreach Programs for teenage girls and has served food to the homeless at soup kitchens and homeless shelters.  Elissa has also volunteered to assist Alderman Daniel Solis and Senator Antonio Munoz with their annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless and veterans.  Elissa was actively involved in collecting food and supplies for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.  Elissa was characterized as “enthusiastic about her studies and very conscientious regarding her academic and personal goals.”  She is a compassionate person “with a desire to help those in need.”