BBB Educational Foundation awards scholarships

Saint Viator High School senior Tyler Harris of Palatine is a recipient of one of four $2,500 one-year college scholarships from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Educational Foundation at the annual Torch Awards Luncheon on Nov. 21.

The scholarships are awarded based on demonstration of leadership skills, community service, academic achievement and a written or video essay on what ethics and integrity mean to the candidate.

“The Educational Foundation received many scholarship applications this year. Each of the four winners had a clear understanding of why ethics and integrity are important in both business and in the community,” says Kimberly Svoboda, Better Business Bureau Educational Foundation chairman. “Our winners surpassed my expectations.”

Tyler is a senior at Saint Viator High School. He is an active Eagle Scout member, being an Executive Board Member of Northwest Suburban Council, Boy Scouts of America and the Lodge Chief for Lakota Lodge, which is the Boy Scouts’ national honor society. He is also the founding member of the Children of Abraham Coalition, an organization striving to spread the common message about peace among Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In the year of 2012-2013, Tyler completed over 420 community service hours with JOURNEY PADS Shelter in Palatine, Little City Foundation, Eagle Scouts and Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace.

The three other scholarship recipients are Brittany Ells of Warren Township High School, Joseph Horwitz of Glenbrook South High School and Jake Siebert of Buffalo Grove High School.

The mission of the Educational Foundation is to provide information and develop resources that promote and build awareness of ethical business practices and marketplace trust to consumers and businesses.

As a private, nonprofit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reviews on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.