She Spoke Up. Riverwoods Listened.
Meet the Riverwoods Teen Who Took Her Cause to Village Hall—and Won!
We're thrilled to celebrate Riverwoods resident and Deerfield High School senior Katherine Dikin, who proved that one person really can make a difference! After researching the effects of light pollution on wildlife, Katherine took the initiative to propose the first update to Riverwoods' outdoor lighting ordinance in nearly 20 years! Over eight months, she attended Village meetings, collaborated with officials, and championed her cause. Her hard work and determination paid off in August! The Village Board passed an amendment promoting safer, wildlife-friendly lighting while preserving the natural woodland character we all love.
As Trustee Michael Clayton shared, Katherine's efforts demonstrate "what it means to take action on issues that you are passionate about and how to affect change at the local level."
Katherine has also been a dedicated RRA volunteer for the past two years, making this accomplishment especially meaningful to us. We couldn't be prouder! At RRA, we believe you're never too young—or too old—to make a difference. Katherine is a shining example of what happens when residents turn their passion into action. We hope her success inspires others to volunteer, speak up, and get involved in shaping our community.
A huge congratulations to Katherine! Thank you for your dedication, perseverance, and for showing us all the power of getting involved. Riverwoods is better because of people like you!
Be inspired by Katherine and participate in the public interviews of candidates held by NomCom on Saturday Nov. 14, 2026 at Village Hall starting at 9 AM.
It takes a village to build a village....
The Happenings Around Town
This calendar lists all the events happening in the village of Riverwoods and surrounding areas that maybe of interest to our residents.
