Local organizations in DuPage and Fox Valley offering scholarship support to students
Local organizations serving the DuPage and Kane County areas offer scholarship support for students. To submit a free listing, email dupageneighbor@dailyherald.com, foxvalley@dailyherald.com or tricity@dailyherald.com.
Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce Foundation:
The Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce Foundation has opened its application portal for scholarships at www.carolstreamchamber.com/scholarship/.
In addition, Prince Industries is offering a scholarship to a student planning to study manufacturing or engineering.
Applicants must be a Carol Stream resident, and plan to attend an institution of higher learning: a 4-year college or university, a 2-year community college, or a professional trade school.
Interviews with prospective candidates will take place on Zoom between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, for foundation scholarship candidates; and on Wednesday March 16, for the Prince Industries scholarship. Plan about 5-10 minutes for your interview.
Deadline to submit applications is Monday, Feb. 28.
Applicants may not be a child of a member of the Chamber Foundation's board of directors.
For questions, contact (630) 665-3325 or info@carolstreamchamber.com.
Elburn Scholarship Fund:
The Elburn Scholarship Fund will be awarding grants for studies at the college level. All applications must be received no later than March 1. Eligibility is limited to Kaneland High School alumni and members of Kaneland's current senior class who will attend a local community college or one of the state universities in Illinois.
High school seniors may obtain application forms that can be executed online by writing to esfapp@gmail.com.
Former recipients should also write to esfapp@gmail.com for instructions on reapplication. Awards may also be available for Kaneland High School alumni whose pursuit of a degree was interrupted or who would like to pursue a new career. Such applicants should write esfapp@gmail.com for instructions.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, extracurricular activities, citizenship, community and school service and commitment to higher education as a means of enhancing potential for contributing to society. Applications and supporting documents should be returned to the Elburn Scholarship Committee, esfapp@gmail.com.
Norwegian National League:
The Norwegian National League of Chicago is offering scholarships and cash prizes to deserving students who are of Norwegian heritage residing in the counties of Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, McHenry and Will.
The first scholarship for $1,000 will be awarded to a high school senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA and who has been accepted by a college or university. Also, a $100 cash prize will be awarded to a high school student in ninth to 11th grade, and a $50 cash prize will be awarded to a student in fifth through eighth grades.
Finally, a $25 cash prize will be awarded to a student in first through fourth grade.
To qualify, older students must submit an original essay on the topic "Your Family's Norwegian Heritage" and the students in grade first through fourth must submit an original drawing depicting a Norwegian topic.
Entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2022.
The Norwegian National League is an umbrella organization for all Norwegian cultural, athletic and fraternal organizations in the Chicago area and sponsors a Norwegian Constitution Day Parade in Park Ridge, a Leif Erikson Celebration, and "Christmas Around the World" at the Museum of Science & Industry.
For scholarship information and applications, visit the Norwegian National League website at www.nnleague.org or contact Tom Maxson at (847) 297-1656 or email tjmax@wowway.com.
Bettye Wehrli Memorial Scholarship:
The Fort Payne Chapter, National Society Daughters of American Revolution recently announced the creation of the Bettye Wehrli Memorial Scholarship.
Wehrli was a longtime community volunteer and active Fort Payne DAR member, who passed away in June 2021 after a short illness.
Wehrli was passionate about the U.S. Constitution and endowed a one-time $2,000 scholarship for local area high school seniors.
The Bettye Wehrli Scholarship is open to any high school senior from Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204 and Benet Academy who will be matriculating to a college or university in the fall of 2022.
Applicants are asked to prepare a 1,000-words essay on the importance of the U.S. Constitution and submit it along with other needed documents to nsdarfortpayne@gmail.com no later than March 1.
The application may be found at www.facebook.com/NapervilleDAR or tinyurl.com/3bcva5wh. For details, contact Willard Helander at willardhelander@gmail.com.
Illinois Sheriffs' Association:
The Illinois Sheriffs' Association will be awarding over $58,000 in college scholarships throughout the state to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2022-23 academic year.
The scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books and fees only. The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the state, full-time online learning is acceptable.
DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick will be awarding three scholarships, and Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain will be offering two scholarships, each in the amount of $500.
There will be no restriction on any applicant by reason of race, age, creed, color, sex or national origin. The only limitations are as follows:
• Applicants must be permanent Illinois residents
• Scholarships must be utilized at institutions of higher learning within the state of Illinois
• Students must be enrolled as a full-time student during the 2022-2023 school year (excluding summer session).
Applications are now available on the Illinois Sheriffs' Association website at www.ilsheriff.org/youth2/.
Students must complete the application, answer the essay question, and return all documentation by March 15 to the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, 501 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187, or Kane County Sheriff's Office, Attn: Christie Duffy, 37W755 Route 38, St. Charles, IL 60175.
Random Acts Matter:
Random Acts Matter is providing two scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year. This award recognizes one exceptional graduating senior from each of the St. Charles high schools (St. Charles North and St. Charles East) who are committed to making their community a better and kinder place to live.
Random Acts Matter is a local organization with a mission to instigate and mobilize the community to provide care and compassion through random acts of kindness and support. The award winner will be chosen by the RAM board and recognized at the Senior Awards ceremonies.
High school seniors in good standing who understand the value of education and embrace learning opportunities inside and outside of school are eligible to apply. This $1,000 award is intended to further the recipient's education. Applicants must have a demonstrated commitment to community service.
Application materials include: a completed application; two letters of recommendation that address specific acts of kindness/community service from two adults, one from within the high school and one from a community member; and a 500-word essay that demonstrates the applicant's commitment to providing acts of care, compassion and kindness.
Applications can be accessed at www.randomactsmatter.com/ram-high-school-scholarship and are due completed by Sunday, March 20, by 11:59 p.m.
Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce:
The Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce offers multiple scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500, available to students graduating high school or currently enrolled in post-secondary school who are planning to continue their education.
Applicants must be either a member (or child of a member) of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce or a current resident of Bloomingdale.
New this year, money is being set aside for a Trade School Scholarship for students enrolling in a trade school or certification program such as cosmetology, car mechanics, HVAC, etc.
"We have always welcomed students going into the trades to apply for a scholarship, as any secondary education qualifies, but we were not receiving any applications from these students," said Cindy Allston, president/CEO of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce. "By setting funds aside and renaming the scholarship, we hope to attract students who are not heading to a 4-year college but looking for help to support their education in one of the many trades."
Last year, the chamber awarded 12 students $1,000 scholarships. There were 49 applicants in 2021. With the support of the community more students could be awarded a scholarship to help fund their education and career.
The Bloomingdale Area Women in Business also has a scholarship which is awarded to an adult female who is returning to the workforce and/or advancing her career through additional training and education. The award can be applied toward additional training, CEUs, or an advanced degree. This scholarship is funded by Neil Moscicki, CFP of Wintrust Wealth Management and Embolden Wealth Management.
New this year, a second scholarship is being funded by Cornerstone Faith Community Church. It is for an adult female who needs the support to help her employment options. This scholarship is perfect for someone in need who wants to improve their circumstances and better themselves. The scholarship can be used to go back school to learn a trade or earn a certificate. If you know of anyone in the area who would benefit from these scholarships, please forward them the information.
The BAWIB Scholarships are open to an adult female (20 years or older) associated with the Bloomingdale area by either working or living in Bloomingdale or surrounding communities.
For applications for these scholarship opportunities, visit www.BloomingdaleChamber.com.
Applications for both scholarships must be submitted and received by March 25.
Downers Grove Rotary:
The Rotary Club of Downers Grove is now accepting applications for their annual Charles Dickerman Music Scholarships.
Each year since 2009, the Rotary Club has presented scholarship checks to deserving high school seniors who reside in Downers Grove or the District 99 attendance area. This year both the number and value of the awards has been increased. Up to four scholarships will be awarded, including a Grand Award of $4,000.
Charles Dickerman was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Downers Grove. He was a nuclear physicist at Argonne National Laboratory who had undergraduate degrees in both physics and music. Charles stayed involved in music throughout his life and was an avid bagpiper.
An application can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/DGRotaryDickermanScholarship22. The application can also be requested by emailing musicscholarship@rotarygrovefest.com or by calling Dave Humphreys at (630) 968-5526.
These Charles Dickerman Music Scholarships are funded by proceeds from the annual Downers Grove Rotary GroveFest held each June in downtown Downers Grove, and the annual Thanksgiving Day Grove Express 5K.
The qualifications to apply for this scholarship are:
• Be a graduating senior attending a public, private, parochial, or home school, and reside in Downers Grove or the High School District 99 attendance area.
• Plan to pursue a post-secondary education program.
• Have participated in high school curricular music activities and/or extracurricular music activities.
• Composers and/or arrangers qualify for this scholarship.
• Pursuit of an undergraduate music major or minor is not required.
• Financial need is not a criterion for selection.
Applicants must have their forms submitted via email by Monday, March 28, 2022.
If selected as a finalist, candidates will then submit a video audition by Tuesday, April 19, 2022, and must be available for a virtual interview on the evening of Sunday, April 24, 2022. The scholarship winners will be announced in May.
Lake in the Hills Rotary:
The Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills is offering six scholarships for students to help prepare them for the future and fuel their passion toward a specific career.
Candidates must demonstrate their passion for involvement through community activities, employment and/or school activities.
• The Tom Stock Memorial Scholarship ($3,000) will be awarded to one high school senior who is a member in good standing with the Rotary InterAct and demonstrates academic excellence as well as a commitment to community service.
• Service Above Self Scholarship ($2,000) will be awarded to one high school senior who successfully demonstrates academic excellence as well as a commitment to community service.
• Making a Difference Community/Vocational Scholarship ($500) will be awarded to three high school seniors who, through their community involvement in work or school, have made a difference in the community.
Completed applications are due to the Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills in hard copy or by email no later than March 30. Postmark dates will be accepted.
Applications should be sent to: Lake in the Hills Rotary Club, P.O. Box 7386, Algonquin, IL 60102 or gappaj@live.com.
Also, the club is seeking proposals for projects and programs that help improve the quality of life for Lake in the Hills and McHenry County residents most in need.
Applications are available at www.lithrotary.org.
Inspire Scholarships:
The 2022 Inspire Scholarships are now open for applications. The scholarship program, sponsored by the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, will be given to Batavia Unit District 101 high school seniors, with up to four awards given.
The four scholarships, worth $750 each, are motivated by the makeup of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce membership.
Because the chamber's signature awards event is called "Inspire: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us!," the name for each of the categories invokes this sentiment.
The scholarships are: Inspiring Entrepreneurship; Inspiring Women in Business; Inspiring Career & Technical Achievers; and Inspiring Contributors to a Batavia Chamber Business.
Each scholarship has a topic-specific application. For example, the Inspiring Entrepreneurship scholarship is to reward a student who has interest in starting a business to encourage consideration to locate in Batavia. One of the questions for this award is to "Cite one successful entrepreneur that you are aware of in Batavia and what you can learn from them."
Applications for any of these scholarships are currently being accepted through Thursday, March 31.
The financial award shall be paid directly to the institute the recipient will be attending.
The application must be fully completed and submitted to the Batavia Chamber by 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31. Visit www.bataviachamber.org.
Each scholarship recipient will be notified by email no later than Friday, April 15.
For more information about the scholarships, call Margaret Perreault, president and CEO, at (630) 879-7134 or email info@bataviachamber.org.
Visit bataviachamber.org.
Naperville AAUW:
Due to the generosity of an AAUW Naperville Area member, this year AAUW Naperville Area will offer a $5,000 scholarship for a 2021-2022 female graduate of either Naperville Unit District 203 or Indian Prairie Unit District 204 with a 3.0 or higher grade-point average who plans to enter the medical field.
The Cariya Reed Legacy scholarship honors Cariya Reed, a 7-year-old girl whose life ended tragically due to domestic violence before her dreams could be fulfilled. The heroic efforts of the medical personnel involved prompted the designation of this scholarship to be awarded to a young woman whose future includes becoming a medical professional, especially one dedicated to emergency medicine. Additional information and an application can be found on the AAUW Naperville Area branch website, naperville-il.aauw.net. Applications are due April 1.
In addition, the branch offers two $5,000 scholarships to women working toward earning their undergraduate degrees.
Since 1971, AAUW Naperville has offered the Angeline Gale Scholarship, with the intent to encourage women to engage in scholarly pursuits, even when their education may have been interrupted for various reasons.
This year, due to the kindness of a generous donor, the AAUW Naperville is also offering the L & S Inspirational Leadership Scholarship, the focus of which is to recognize women who have assumed leadership positions within their school and community and have the desire to make meaningful contributions to society, both now and in the future.
Joan Schaeffer, scholarship chair, notes, "Across the globe, women face many challenges. Empowering women is one of the greatest ways to meet these challenges, and education is one of the greatest ways to both empower women and enable them to develop the leadership qualities needed to make meaningful contributions within their careers and the community at large. We hope that these scholarships will assist women in accelerating the completion of their educational journeys, allowing them to move on to successful careers, where they will be appreciated, respected, and valued."
Applicants must reside or attend school in DuPage, Will, Kendall, or Kane counties in Illinois.
The scholarships can be awarded to part-time as well as full-time students who are in traditional or accelerated programs. The candidates may already be receiving financial aid.
In addition, for the Angeline Gale Scholarship, applicants must: be a woman at least 26 years of age; be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited institution; and have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0. Applicants also must either be on track to graduate by December 2022, if enrolled in an associate degree program, or achieve junior status by the application deadline of March 31, 2022, if enrolled in a bachelor's degree program.
Qualifying applicants for the L & S Inspirational Leadership Scholarship are women of any age, who must: be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at an accredited institution; demonstrate leadership qualities and currently hold or have recently held leadership positions in school or within the community; demonstrate a desire to make a meaningful contribution to society, both now and in the future; achieve junior status by the application deadline of March 31, 2022; and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Application materials are available on the AAUW Naperville Area website at napervilleil.aauw.net/scholarships/.
Questions can be directed to aauwnapervillescholarship@gmail.com.
The mission of AAUW Naperville Area branch is to advance gender equity for all women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. Follow www.facebook.com/AAUW.Naperville.Area.
Kane County 4-H Club:
The Kane County Fair board of directors in St. Charles is offering three scholarships worth $3,000 each to current 4-H Club members who are high school seniors and planning on attending college.
"We are pleased to continue the tradition of awarding scholarships to worthy young students in our 4-H community," said Larry Breon, chairman of the Kane County Fair board of directors. "It's an honor for us to help three outstanding students who give back to their communities and have set high goals for their future success."
Since the launching of its Kane County Fair 4-H scholarship program over 10 years ago, many Kane County area 4-H students have been awarded financial assistance to further their education.
An application form for the 2022 Kane County Fair 4-H Scholarship is available for download at www.kanecountyfair.com/4H-Information.
You must also be a current member of 4-H and have exhibited at the Kane County Fair in at least one of the last two years.
For further information, contact the University of Illinois extension office in St. Charles at (630) 584-6166 or the fair office at (630) 584-6926.
Deadline for applications is Friday, April 1, 2022.
Bloomingdale Arts Association:
The Bloomingdale Artists Association is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a qualified applicant pursuing a visual fine arts degree. The scholarship is co-founded by the arts association and Masterpiece Framing of Bloomingdale. Residents of DuPage County and the surrounding area are encouraged to apply.
The applicant must be a senior in high school or 18 years or older. The scholarship award will be applied to 2022 college/art school tuition. The award recipient must participate in the 2022 BAA Member Exhibit.
The applicant must provide: name, address, phone number, email address and birth date; letter of reference from art teacher; and recent school transcript. It also must include a one-page essay addressing the topic "What inspires you to create art?"
Also include up to three images of the applicant's work. Images shall be printed on or attached to an 8.5-by-11-inch sheet. Include the title and the medium of each art work.
The application packet should be mailed or delivered to: Bloomingdale Artists Association Scholarship Committee, c/o Masterpiece Framing, 109 S. Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108.
Applications received after the deadline date of April 1 will not be considered.
For questions, contact Roberta Cencig at (847) 848-3482 or robertacencig@yahoo.com, or Joanne Barsanti at (630) 217-4909 or jobarsanti@gmail.com.
The $1,000 scholarship is a one-time award. Funds will be mailed directly to the school. The award recipient will provide the school name and mailing address.
The Bloomingdale Artists Association exhibit will be held April 9 through May 7 at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum, 108 S. Bloomingdale Road. Selected works of the award recipient will be included in the exhibit. The winner is encouraged to attend the artists reception.
Lombard Garden Club:
The Lombard Garden Club offers at least one $1,000 college scholarship to a Lombard high school senior, home-schooled student or student current enrolled in a college program. Eligible fields of study are environmental science, ecology, landscape design, horticulture, botany or biology.
The requirements for applying to receive this scholarship are: applicant must be a Lombard resident, be involved in extracurricular activities, provide information about grades, provide two recommendation letters and include a statement of career goals.
The deadline is April 1. For details, visit lombardgardenclub.org/scholarship.html.
Dennis Taylor Scholarship:
The Dennis Taylor Scholarship Foundation for the Performing Arts will be awarding college scholarships for the 2022-23 school year.
The deadline for submitting application materials is April 1, 2022.
Interviews will be conducted by invitation and appointment only on April 9, 2022 via Zoom. Please be sure to save this date.
Awards are available to students of voice, instrument, theater and dance residing in Chicago's western suburbs.
Applicants may be post-secondary, undergraduate or graduate students who are majoring in the performing arts and who demonstrate a passion for performance.
Twenty-nine scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 have been awarded in the past four years.
Candidates can complete a scholarship application at dennistaylorsf.org. Or request an application form from dennistaylorsf@gmail.com or by calling (847) 697-4005.
Applicants must prepare a video audition which can be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo with the link emailed to the same email address.
Dennis Taylor served as a dancer, choreographer, costumer, makeup artist, set dresser and wig designer at dozens of suburban theaters and schools for more than five decades.
Follow www.facebook.com/dennistaylorscholarship/.
Elgin AAUW:
The Elgin Area Branch of American Association of University Women is offering two $1,000 scholarships to be used to meet undergraduate college expenses for the 2022-23 academic year - the Betty Medearis Memorial Scholarship and the Elgin Legacy Scholarship. At least one of these scholarships shall be given to a woman of color.
These $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to a young woman 19 or older who has completed 12 credit hours or more at an accredited college or university, with a minimum of a cumulative 2.5 GPA. The recipient of the scholarship must attend a college or university within a 50-mile radius of Elgin; preference will be given to Elgin-area applicants.
The recipients will be granted a student-affiliate membership and invited to attend branch meetings and activities. The recipient will encouraged to attend AAUW's May dinner meeting, at which time the scholarships will be awarded. The actual scholarship money will be mailed to the recipient's college choice and deposited into her tuition account.
Scholarship applications can be obtained through elginarea-il.aauw.net.
Applications also can be obtained at the counseling department of ECC, Harper College, Judson University, Gail Borden Public Library, Centro de Informacion, or Cappex. All applications must be postmarked by April 1 or emailed to the scholarship committee no later than April 4. Written recommendations are welcome.
Lisle Lions:
The Lisle Lions Club is committed to serving and meeting the needs of the Lisle community as well as working on worldwide causes serving the visually-impaired. They also are dedicated to youth programs and the scholarships awarded are one way to assist young people. The motto of the international Lions organization is simply, "We serve."
One $500 scholarship will be awarded.
This award can be renewed annually up to three times for a total of $2,000 per recipient. Each subsequent installment requires a brief renewal application. Awards are paid directly to the recipient, in care of the college of choice.
All high school seniors who live in Lisle's 60532 ZIP code are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Scholarship applications are evaluated by a committee of the Lisle Lions Club Educational Foundation.
The club, which is committed to the ideals of community service, work ethic and personal growth, seeks to encourage these qualities in young adults. The club emphasizes the following factors in evaluating applications: leadership, academic potential, community participation, career aspirations, and financial need.
Applications are available at e-clubhouse.org/sites/lisleil/.
Applications are due by Friday, April 8, 2022.
If school is in session on that date, Lisle High School and Benet Academy students should return completed applications to the school guidance office. For all other students, return applications to Lisle Lions Club, P.O. Box 481, Lisle, IL 60532.
If school happens to not be in session on that date, students should send their applications to Lisle Lions Club, P.O. Box 481, Lisle, IL 60532 to arrive by April 8, 2022, or email to lislelions1949@aol.com.
AAUW Elmhurst Area:
The AAUW Elmhurst Area Branch is offering three scholarships of $3,000 each to women from the communities of Elmhurst, Addison, Bensenville, Berkeley, Northlake, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, or Villa Park who need financial assistance to continue education at the undergraduate or graduate level.
An applicant may be studying full or part time. Besides being from one of the above communities, the applicant must be continuing her education after completing at least 12 credit hours at an accredited college or university and be age 25 or older.
The AAUW mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research at both the national and local levels.
Funds for these scholarships come from the Used Book Sale that AAUW hosts each summer.
The 2021 Used Book Sale was so successful that the organization is pleased to be able to offer three scholarships this year.
Scholarship requirements as well as the application form for the scholarship can be found on the AAUW website: www.aauwelmhurst.org.
The application deadline is April 15, 2022.
A Salute to Our Heroes Foundation:
A Salute to Our Heroes Inc. Foundation seeks applicants for its Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship for veterans and/or individuals who have an immediate family member (mother, father, grandparent, or sibling) who is a veteran, or on active military duty, in any of the five military branches of the United States.
Applicants must reside in Kane County and be a high school senior, college student or adult entering studies for a degree or trade. Scholarships awarded will be granted directly to the named accredited college/university or trade school.
The Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship is named in honor of U.S. Army Spc. Ethan J. Martin, 22 of Lewiston, Idaho, who died Aug. 7, 2012 in Koragay, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered enemy small-arms fire by ambush. Martin was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Calvary. Inspired by his desire to attend nursing school after he got out of the military, the Spc. Ethan J. Martin Scholarship Fund has been established to help others with similar aspirations.
"This scholarship and our foundation is very personal and meaningful," said Dona Stretch, founder and chair of A Salute to our Heroes Foundation. "My son, Sgt. Sean Stretch, a graduate of Burlington Central High School, served in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan with Ethan. We wanted to do something special to honor his friend and battle buddy. We are in touch with Ethan's family on a regular basis and have formed a beautiful relationship with them as we all heal from the tragedies of war and service."
The application submission deadline is April 15, 2022, and scholarships will be awarded on May 1, 2022.
To request an application, email asalutetoourheroes@gmail.com.
A Salute to our Heroes Foundation, based in Elgin and founded in 2018, is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to assist the needs of veterans and their families. Fundraising aids and supports its mission to help those who have given great sacrifice of not only themselves, but of their families as well. Its third annual golf outing is planned for Friday, June 10, 2022 at Bowes Creek Country Club in Elgin.
For further information about A Salute to our Heroes Foundation, scholarship for veterans, and the annual golf outing, visit www.asalutetoourheroes.com or call (224) 600-3318.
Nancy Fike Scholarship:
The 2022 Nancy Fike Scholarship marks a seminal moment in history that occurred during the close of 2021: The 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Named in honor of the society's former administrator, the McHenry County Historical Society & Museum in Union awards a $1,000 scholarship annually to a graduating senior from a McHenry County high school who plans to study education, history, or the social sciences.
This merit-based scholarship will be given in the winning student's name to his or her college /university.
Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, provide two letters of recommendation (one from a faculty member and one from another representative of the community), show proof of community service, and write a minimum 500-word essay relevant to McHenry County. Essay topics will be announced each year by the historical society.
Applications, available online at GotHistory.org, must be submitted by April 15, 2022.
This year's topic is: "December 7, 2021, marked the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II for the United States. What was McHenry County's contribution to the war effort? What was life like here, on the "home front?" How did the war change our county? What we want you to consider is how our county fit into the larger picture of the war."
There are many people still alive who remember World War II. You might try to interview someone. Also, use Newspapers.com to find out how the war was reported in our local press.
Essays will be judged on content, grammar, historical accuracy, originality, and their bibliography (students are expected to cite their sources). In some cases, interviewing a person(s) about the topic is advised. Smartphones are no substitute for smart people.
For additional information about the Nancy Fike Scholarship, call the historical society at (815) 923-2267, email info@mchenrycountyhistory.org or visit www.gothistory.org.
Cary-Grove Masonic Lodge:
The Cary-Grove Masonic Lodge No. 1157 seeks applicants for the Andrew E. Dianis Memorial Fund scholarship. The scholarship is open to residents of Cary and Fox River Grove who wish to continue their education to obtain a degree in the state of Illinois as an attorney or a counselor-at-law.
For more information on the application requirements, contact Anthony Colletti at (847) 287-4657.
Dianis was an attorney and counselor-at-law who had great compassion and concern for the people around him, as shown by his longtime membership in the Cary-Grove Masons.
Respecting that God blessed him in so many ways professionally, physically and spiritually, his family wanted to honor him in setting up this memorial fund to assist the next generation of law students.
Cary-Grove Lodge No. 1157 is committed to the mission of Freemasonry and has a 93-year legacy of serving the Cary-Grove community. The club hosts blood drives, donation drives for the Cary-Grove Food Pantry, and Illinois Child Identification workshops. They recently hosted the annual car show at Spring Hill Mall.