First scholarships awarded in 'Lexi's' honor

Alexa Rae Bertram graduated from Glenbard North with a plan she never had the chance to see through.

But now two fellow North graduates will have a little help following their own plans thanks to a scholarship in her name.

Sara Sebastian and Amanda Sarlitto are the first two recipients of the Alexa Rae Bertram Scholarship, awarded through the Northern Illinois University Foundation. Each will receive their honor tonight at Glenbard North's Scholarship and Awards Night.

Bertram's family launched the scholarship fund following her unexpected death just two weeks after high school graduation in June 2008. "Lexi" had a detailed plan for her future that included attending NIU, majoring in psychology with a minor in creative writing, and going on to earn her master's degree on her way to a career in clinical psychology.

The Bertram Scholarship is awarded to a Glenbard North graduate enrolling at NIU. A panel from the DeKalb school selects the recipients, who must be enrolling as full-time students.

Applicants must submit an essay or poem of up to 500 words expressing their desire and determination to earn a degree from NIU, said Micki Niebuhr, Bertram's mother.

"Alexa was proud of being a student at Glenbard North and since eighth grade she was sure she wanted to attend NIU. It was the only college she applied to," Niebuhr said. "Her passion about both schools made it easy for me to decide to honor her memory by helping a student who shared her dream of attending NIU. I am striving for an endowment so that her legacy will be bound forever to these two special schools.

Sebastian, from Carol Stream, is a 2009 North graduate now finishing up her freshman year at NIU. She is majoring in pre-medicine.

Sarlitto, also from Carol Stream, will graduate from North with the Class of 2010. When she heads to NIU in the fall, she plans to direct her studies toward a nursing career.

Each student will receive a $1,000 grant, and Bertram's family hopes to continue awarding a scholarship annually for as long as possible, Niebuhr said. Through fundraisers and donations, the family has raised about $17,000 for the scholarship fund. The goal is to raise $25,000, enough for the grant to become an endowed scholarship.

To donate to the Alexa Rae Bertram Scholarship Fund, visit memorialwebsites.legacy.com/AlexaRaeBertram or send checks payable to "NIU Foundation" with "Alexa Bertram" in the memo line to NIU Foundation, Attn: Teri Gensler, Altgeld Hall 132, DeKalb, IL 60115. Donations are tax deductible.