Heights Community Congress celebrated 37 years of work in fair housing, social justice and community building in November and presented its HCC Community Awards to Les Jones and the Cleveland Heights High School Performing Arts Team.

Jones, a resident and community activist in Cleveland Heights for more than 30 years, received the Bernice & Lacy Lott Award for Outstanding Citizen. Jones served as president of the Reaching Heights board of trustees and designed graphics for HCC’s annual Heights Heritage Home & Garden Tour for more than two decades.

The Cleveland Heights High School Performing Arts Team, led by Kari Queen Sharpe, Craig McGaughey (director if the high school’s vocal music department) and Mary Spearman received the HCC Community Vision Award. The three have engaged elementary, middle and high school students in musical productions, including “West Side Story,” and “The King & I,” which have captured the spirit of the entire community.

Kasey Greer is executive director of Heights Community Congress.