and the winners are

NEWS LOCAL DEFENDER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC PROMPTED LOCAL BUSINESSMAN MICHAEL ECKERT TO TRANSITION HIS IN-STORE MARKETING AND ADVERTISING BUSINESS TO CREATE CUSTOM FACE SHIELDS.

BY KEMMIE RYAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

A few months ago, you may have never used the words “personal protective equipment” or PPE.

But in the wake of a global pandemic and related local mandates for PPE to be worn in public places, it’s become an essential item for many. So essential, in fact, that the U.S. is facing a shortage of supplies.

In April, Michael Eckert—owner of Waukegan-based Design Phase Inc.— saw the nation’s need for PPE and decided to act.

Eckert’s business creates custom point of purchase displays and branding programs to help retail clients. With many retail businesses temporarily closed due to the shelter-in-place order in Illinois, Eckert decided to pivot his current business. He converted his skilled workforce of designers and innovators and started a new division called DP medproducts.

DP medproducts makes custom face shields using lightweight recyclable materials. The shields are designed for complete protection against spray, splatter, droplets, dust, oil, and smoke. All shields are designed with a sustainEDITED BY KEMMIE RYAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

For 39 years, the Rotary Club of Wilmette has honored local students with academic scholarships. Nominations and selections come from college counselors who praise the chosen students for leadership, responsibility, work ethic, creativity, and making the world a better place. This year, the Club awarded $15,000 to six students from New Trier High School, Loyola Academy, and Regina Dominican High School. Let us introduce you to the winners:

CHARLOTTE ANN LEE FONDREN is a New Trier High School student who has a deep passion for STEM AP classes in chemistry and physics and will study

Dr. Sonia Ismail wears the DP Defender while performing a first teeth cleaning.

able approach in mind and are reusable. While protection is superior, DP medproducts face shield, DP Defender, was also created with comfort in mind.

Highland Park-based dentist Dr. Thomas Fiocchi tested the product and engineering at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. She has been a competitive swimmer for more than ten years and has won two triathlons.

AMAYAH ROWZEE is a New Trier High School student who remarkably balanced academics with a part-time job to help with family expenses. Her artistic ability is reflected in AP Art classes. As one of a few African American students in her school, she sought leadership roles that help others understand her experience. She will attend the University of Arizona.

MONICA YOO is a New Trier High School student who has a passion for languages and cultures of the world. As a Korean American, she speaks Korean at home, has long studied Chinese, and is shares, “As a dentist, I need to be able to wear a face shield and use my loupes with a light attachment at the same time when working on my patients. No other shield that I know of allows me to do that except the DP Defender.” now studying Japanese. Her advisor has praised her great sense of responsibility and family business work. Yoo also earned the Youth Who Excel award from the Korean American community and is planning to attend the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

KANASSANAN (NEIL) THAMMAVIJITDEJ is a New Trier High School student who moved from Thailand with his mother and two siblings in 2016. He has overcome the enormous academic challenges of a new school and new culture. Thammavijitdej is on the cross-country and track teams, a member of the Asian American Club and Global Voices Club, and attends Hope Chicago Church. The University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana is Thammavijitdej’s destination.

DP medproducts face shields are now available to anyone in the market, but upon completion of the first prototype, Eckert immediately donated his product to workers on the frontlines— dentists, doctors, hair salons, and local store owners.

Emergency medicine physician Dr. Bob Vottero also approves of the new face shield, mentioning, “The face shield has been wonderful! It's sturdy, easy to clean, and protective. I call it the ‘Cadillac’ of face shields.”

So, what makes DP medproducts different?

Perhaps Eckert says it best: “What sets us apart from other companies is the importance of family, passion, and the ability to think outside the box. We’ve built DP medproducts from the ground up—all because of the hard work of my family members and fellow employees based on the North Shore.”

Although we may not be sure when PPE will no longer be needed, local companies like DP medproducts will continue to create innovative products to keep people safe.

The DP Defender can be ordered directly through DP medproducts. For more information on DP medproducts inc and

AND THE WINNERS ARE… THE ROTARY CLUB OF WILMETTE AWARDS $15,000 IN ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

to order, visit dp-medproducts.com.

DREW DI PAOLO is a student from Loyola Academy who loves history and English. He has demonstrated strong leadership skills and cares for others through the Arrupe Service program, volunteering with senior citizens at a local nursing home and other sites. Di Paolo received the Lacrosse Coaches Award for leadership and plans to attend Marquette University’s College of Business Administration, majoring in finance and business economics.

KATHLEEN RABBITT is a Regina Dominican High School who will attend Saint Louis University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT). Rabbitt was selected by Regina Dominican High School on the basis of her GPA and community service.