Thirty U-46 seniors receive Superintendent Scholarships

Submitted by U-46

José M. Torres, superintendent of Elgin Area School District U-46, hosted a special award ceremony April 30 at Kenyon Woods Middle School to recognize 30 high school students who were awarded with this year’s Superintendent Scholarships.

More than 60 applications were submitted for this year’s Superintendent Scholarship Program, which Torres established last year to support students who are the first in their families to attend college.

The high school students who received a $1,000 scholarship through the 2012-2013 Superintendent Scholarship fund include:

Ÿ Bartlett High School: Franceli Aguilera, Alejandra Guzman, Manuel Hernandez, Arlette Ramos, Diana Laura Salgado, and Nicole C. Worytko.

Ÿ Elgin High School: Erika Fernandez, Michel Hernandez, Emeli Villagas.

Ÿ Larkin High School: Carla Castillo, Tadajah Coleman, Shereece Haywood, Maritza Juarez, Magali Haide Jimenez, Lisa Lieu, Jessica Ojeda, Dulce Rocha, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, and Luis Subias.

Ÿ South Elgin High School: Michael Abel Jr., Jakelin Herrera, and Francisco Ponce Jr.

Ÿ Streamwood High School: Anett Cabral, Ivan Capistran, Jessica Carreno, Lauren Edmunds, Erick O. Pacheco, Dalila Ramirez, Daniel Robles Jr. and Yagaira J. Sanchez.

Some of the schools the students plan to attend, include Aurora University, Elgin Community College, Illinois State University, Loyola University, North Central College, Robert Morris University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Chicago, and Wheaton College.

“I’m so proud of these students for the hard work and determination that has led them to this point of being the first in their families to attend college,” Torres said.

“Thanks to the generosity of the U-46 community, we were able to expand the Superintendent Scholarship Program and help lessen the financial hardship of college for 30 families. I cannot wait to hear about the great things they are accomplishing while in college.”

During the award ceremony, the superintendent had business cards made for the students and provided them an opportunity to thank and network with U-46 donors.

“Teaching these students how to network is an important piece of this program. Building relationships is key to landing a job and achieving personal and professional success,” Torres said.