Gala 2026 is SOLD OUT!
You can still support our cause. Make a tax deductible donation and join our silent auction.
You're invited to join us for the 68th Annual Chessmen Club Community Service Gala at the Holiday Inn Chicago North Shore. This prestigious event supports the Chessmen Club of the North Shore, Inc., an organization dedicated to providing scholarships for local youth and addressing food insecurities for families in need. The Chessmen Club members will be honoring Evanston's Chief of Police Schenita Stewart and Beloit, Wisconsin Chief of Police Schonella Stewart as well as lifetime educator, Ms. Wanda J. Reed.
At 6:00 PM, the evening will begin with a lively silent auction and an open bar, sponsored by Firehouse Grill - Candelite Chicago - Bluestone, followed by a seated dinner with wine. After dinner and the awards presentation, the excitement continues with a live auction and paddle raise, giving guests the chance to contribute to this impactful cause. The night will conclude with dancing and photo opportunities-thus making for a most memorable and impactful celebration.
We encourage black-tie or formal attire to match the elegance of this special occasion. We look forward to celebrating together and supporting the Chessmen Club's important work in our community!
Community Service Honorees
Schenita Stewart
Schenita Stewart began her law enforcement career in 1998 as a probation officer with the Cook County Adult Probation Department. A lifelong Evanstonian and proud graduate of Evanston Township High School, she joined the Lincolnwood Police Department in 1999, where she advanced through the ranks and was appointed deputy chief in 2018. In January 2021, Stewart became deputy chief of police for the Village of East Dundee, and in 2022 she was named Chief of Police for the Evanston Police Department.
From 2008 to 2018, Stewart served with the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force (NORTAF), including four years as a team leader. She currently serves as Vice President of NORTAF and is a board member of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS). She is also an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, where she serves on the Rethinking Responses to Common Calls for Service Committee.
Deeply committed to her community, Stewart supports Shorefront Legacy and honors the multigenerational legacy of service her family has contributed to Evanston. She holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University, and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and Executive Management Program.
Schonella Stewart
Schonella Stewart began her law enforcement career in 2006 with the Oak Park Police Department after working in social work. A native of Evanston and graduate of Evanston Township High School, she has served in a wide range of roles including patrol officer, detective, juvenile investigator, tactical officer, patrol and detective sergeant, patrol commander, community policing commander, and investigations commander.
Throughout her career, Schonella has contributed to several specialized task forces, including homicide, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), FBI hijacking, and human trafficking task forces. She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives.
In December 2023, Schonella graduated from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, where she received the prestigious Franklin M. Kreml Leadership Award. On December 1, 2025, she made history as the first Chief of Police for the Beloit Police Department in Wisconsin.
Despite her national leadership role, Schonella remains closely connected to Evanston and actively supports Shorefront Legacy, honoring her family’s deep roots of service in the community. She holds a Master of Social Work from Chicago State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Barber-Scotia College, graduating Cum Laude.
Wanda J. Reed
Wanda J. Reed is a lifelong advocate for children, families, and educational equity whose work has shaped the Evanston community for more than four decades. Raised in Oklahoma by a single parent as one of seven children, Wanda’s early life was marked by hardship. At age 23, she moved to Evanston determined to create better opportunities for her family, eventually raising four children with her husband, Joe Reed.
Wanda’s professional path led her from domestic work to positions at Encyclopedia Britannica and State National Bank of Evanston before she discovered her calling in education. In 1970, through the Emergency School Act, she began working directly with students in Evanston schools, supporting youth facing academic, behavioral, and family challenges.
She dedicated more than 20 years to Evanston Township High School, where she served as Supervisor of the Alternative Learning Center. Known for her “tough love” and deep compassion, Wanda built trust with students in crisis and worked closely with families, educators, and administrators to improve outcomes. Many former students credit her with changing the course of their lives.
Beyond the classroom, Wanda founded and led community organizations including Save Our Children, Sophisticated Ladies, and Helping Hands. Her advocacy earned her the Illinois State Board of Education “Those Who Excel” Award of Merit, reflecting a legacy rooted in care, accountability, and community-driven change.
Student Honoree:
Tinsae Geyer
My name is Tinsae Geyer, and I’ll be graduating from Evanston Township High School this coming May. I plan to major in either Neuroscience or Biology, with a minor in African American Studies. Outside of school, I’m active in theater productions and extracurricular choral groups. I also enjoy doing community service, whether that’s by overseeing a thrift shop that provides inexpensive clothing to students at my school or teaching elementary-age children about many different types of music.
Thank you to everyone who supported Gala 2025!
