Ryan Baker joined CBS 2 from WMAQ-TV in Chicago where he had worked as an anchor and reporter since 2003. He served as the host of the Chicago Bears pre and post game shows and as host of the Bruce Weber Coach’s Show on the Big Ten Network. Baker’s recent career highlights include reporting from Athens during the 2004 Olympics. In 2005 he covered the University of Illinois’ race to the Final Four and the White Sox historic World Series win. In 2007 he anchored and reported live from Miami during the Bears Super Bowl run. Before working in Chicago, Baker was a sports anchor at WKMG-TV in Orlando, Fla. (1995-2003). Previously he worked at KFMB-TV in San Diego and in Champaign, Ill. at WCIA-TV and WICD-TV.Baker is active with the Chicago chapter of the American Diabetes Association and is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. He grew up in the south suburbs and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1991.

 Desmond Clark - The winner of the 7th Annual Dancing with Chicago Celebrities!     

Desmond (Dez) Clark leverages his 13-year National Football League career to give back to others. The community leader and philanthropist is the President / Executive Director & Founder of 88 Wayz - a non-profit mentoring, in school program - to show his commitment to enhancing the educational, spiritual, physical, mental, political, social, and community growth of today's youth. www.88Wayz.com assists youth in realizing their dreams and reaching their full potential by mentoring, motivating, and developing the confidence needed to achieve and become productive adults.

The veteran Tight End / Power Back, a 1999 – 6th round pick by the Denver Broncos in 1991, resigned with the Chicago Bears for the 2011-2012 season, a team he has enjoyed great success with since 2003. NFL career highlights for Desmond include being selected as an alternate for the 2005 Pro Bowl. In 2006, Desmond helped the Bears win the NFC Championship and a trip to Super Bowl XLI.  Desmond is one of only 11 active tight ends in the NFL to eclipse that 3,000-yard receiving mark plateau, and he was the first Bears TE since Mike Ditka in 1962-64 to have three consecutive 40-reception seasons. Another remarkable milestone was his 68-game starting streak. Desmond was a Wake Forest University student/athlete where he was a two-time, 2nd team All-ACC selection, and a two-time team Most Valuable Player.

In addition to being a world-class athlete and philanthropist, the native of Lakeland, Florida, is also an Entrepreneur and Elite Executive with contributions to and investments in several successful businesses. Desmond has also been a Sports Broadcaster on his show Sportsmanlike Conduct during his off-seasons when he was an active NFL Player. Now, his shoe is full fledge, slated to start March 14 on 1410 AM in Elgin, IL.  He also was an in studio Sports Analyst at ESPN Chicago 1000 am.

   Regina Fraser

   Erin McElroy 

Erin McElroy joined WGN Morning News as the Traffic reporter and Early Morning News anchor in April 2011. McElroy has been working at WGN-TV for the past two years as a per-diem general assignment reporter for WGN News. "Before reporting with WGN, she helped launch the station’s online traffic reporting show “CommunterCast" in 2007 and worked as a traffic anchor on CLTV. Prior to WGN, McElroy was a weekend news anchor and general assignment reporter at WDJT-TV in Milwaukee, WI. "She also worked as a reporter for WSBT-TV in South Bend, IN, and at WREX-TV in Rockford, IL as a reporter and morning anchor." McElroy graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a B.S. degree in Broadcast Journalism.

  Click here to view to Erin McElroy's fundraising page!

   Hannah Smith 

Hannah Smith, Miss Illinois 2011, is from Huntley, Illinois. Currently studying at Northern Illinois University, her ambition is to attain Bachelor’s Degrees in Business and Dance Performance. Having received invitations to dance with the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive and the Joffrey Ballet New York Summer Intensive, as well as a dance scholarship to Northern University, dancing has been a large part of Hannah’s life. She shares her passion for dance in her role as a dance instructor at Beth Fowler School of Dance in Genoa and St. Charles. She sees dancing as a way to practice self discipline, and teamwork. Hannah’s platform issue was distracted driving and she now serves as a spokesperson for State Farm’s “Distracted Driving” safe driving initiative.

 Click here to view Hannah Smith's fundraising page!

  Kim Vatis - winner of the MVP Award

Kim Vatis is an award winning Reporter and Weekend Anchor for NBC5 News.She joined the station in November 1997. In 2009, the Associated Press awarded Vatis "Best Reporter" for Excellence in Journalism. The following year, Vatis was awarded a Silver Dome for Best TV Reporter from the Illinois Broadcasters Association.

In the recent economic downturn she also created a weekly personal finance segment "Smart Money" which has twice been nominated for an Emmy by the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Her Special projects for the 10 P.M. news have also earned her numerous other Emmy nominations. Prior to joining NBC5, Vatis spent time reporting and anchoring in Orlando and Jacksonville, Fla.; Bangor, Me.; and Gainesville, Fla. Vatis graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in telecommunications. She is on the Board of Directors for Thodos Dance Chicago, but has never tried to hit the dance floor herself. She says her teenaged daughter is her greatest joy.  

 Click here to view Kim Vatis' Fundraising Page page!