CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Local journalists, fans and family packed the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown to celebrate veteran anchor Cheryl Burton's new title as Lifetime Achievement Award winner by the Chicago Journalists Association.
The veteran journalism organization honored Burton at its 80th award dinner Nov. 15, which brought a diverse crowd of professional journalists from notable media all under one roof.
Executive editor of Crain's Chicago Business Jim Kirk, Co-founder of Ebertfest Chaz Ebert and WGN anchor Lourdes Duarte were also part of the celebration dinner, which also honored other award finalists.
"Be relentless because everything has an answer," Burton told the crowd, which included journalism students from Medill, Columbia and North Central College. "Let your social media footprint be great because it lives on forever."
Burton also took the opportunity to announce the $10,000 Cheryl Burton Scholarship for aspiring journalism students at Lindblom Math & Science Academy, her alma mater. The scholarship will be awarded to one boy and girl student each year, and she will visit the school each year to personally deliver the award.
She said she feels lucky to be able to give back to her community and be a role model for the next generation. She wants to encourage people to always speak up and tell the truth, even if it goes against the grain as she has done.