Adam and Jessica Honiotes were awarded the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award at the Kishwaukee College Foundation Annual Gala on Saturday, Nov. 4. The award honors established alumni who have demonstrated service or outstanding contributions within the Kish community.
“It’s a big honor to be recognized with this award,” Jessica said. “We were both shocked to learn we were nominated. It’s very cool and exciting to receive this recognition from the Foundation and the Kish community.”
The Honioteses both started their college education at Kish. Jessica graduated from the Registered Nursing program in 2004, while Adam completed manufacturing, paramedic and general education courses from 2000-2005. Jessica currently works as a Registered Nurse at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva, and Adam serves as a Battalion Chief for the Sycamore Fire Department. They also own and operate Honiotes Brothers Farms, a local livestock business raising Scottish Highland cattle.
On top of their careers, the Honioteses are the concessionaires at Shabbona Lake State Park, running the park’s Pokanoka’s Dockside Café, the Outpost Camp Store, and Boondocks Bait & Supply, and boat rental since May 2021. At the time, the couple had the goal of opening a coffee shop in the Village of Shabbona, but the plans fell through. Then, another opportunity presented itself when the previous Shabbona Lake concession owners were looking to pass along the business to a local family.
“We saw such great potential and so many things we could build upon. So, we thought this was a great opportunity to grow our community,” Jessica said. “We really want to see our local area develop into a place that has something for everyone to enjoy. This was our chance to help with that.”
The facilities have seen various improvements during the Honiotes’ tenure, including complete interior remodels of the restaurant, camp store and bait shop. And while Adam and Jessica have experience as entrepreneurs, overseeing the park’s concessions is like running several businesses at once. Jessica said they have been able to depend on the park’s employees — several of whom are Kish students — to learn the different jobs.
“We’ve had to teach ourselves a lot of different skills, and we’ve had a lot of returning employees to show us how things were done and offer their ideas on where we can improve,” Jessica said.
Adam emphasized they have leaned on experiences from their time at Kishwaukee College to help improve the business and continue their vision.
“There’s a lot of skills we’ve needed to run the concessions that I didn’t think I would be using again. But they have come back into play, and it has made a big difference,” Adam said.
With improved facilities and an increased number of activities available — including live music and children’s activities — the Honioteses have watched park attendance climb each year, with a growing interest from the local community. Additionally, Jessica and Adam are members of the Building Shabbona Together nonprofit.
“Education fills various needs for our students. Adam and Jessica are great examples of how Kish’s impact can benefit throughout life and how those benefits can be passed on to new generations. Their hard work and dedication to our community make them an excellent choice for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award,” said Dr. Kayte Hamel, Executive Director of the Kishwaukee College Foundation.
To learn more about the Kishwaukee College Foundation and the Distinguished Alumni Award, including nominating an alum, visit www.kish.edu/foundation.