Dist. 46 offers scholarships to first-generation college students

Elgin Area School District U-46 is offering its third annual Superintendent Scholarship program, which was established in 2012 to support students who are the first in their immediate family to attend college. Over the past two years, more than 50 $1,000 scholarships have been awarded to graduating U-46 seniors.

"We designed this program to help inspire students who may not have ever dreamed that college could be a reality for them," said Superintendent José M. Torres. "Many of our past scholarship recipients weren't at the top of their class academically, but they demonstrated perseverance and a commitment to their education. Being part of the first generation in your family to attend college is a huge accomplishment that deserves recognition."

Torres continued his financial support of the scholarship fund by promising to match donations up to a total of $10,000. The scholarship fund is also sponsored by generous donations from area community and business partners.

"The scholarship helped me a great deal," said South Elgin graduate and scholarship recipient Jakelin Herrera who is currently attending Elgin Community College. "It helped me gain confidence in myself. I now strive for a better future. I never really had much recognition in the past, nor did I ever imagine myself receiving a scholarship."

"I thank those who helped me receive the scholarship for making me realize it's never too late to make changes and take education seriously," said Herrera who plans to apply for the massage therapy program in the fall and hopes to own her own spa business in the future.

High school seniors can visit www.u-46.org to find applications for the Superintendent Scholarship program. Applications must be submitted to high school guidance offices by Friday, March 14. Scholarship recipients will be notified in April and required to attend an award ceremony scheduled for April 30.

"I encourage our U-46 community to invest in this important scholarship program because every donation makes a difference in our students' lives," Torres said. "Many of the past recipients have shared with me that these scholarships made a tremendous difference and gave them hope for success after U-46."

U-46 is currently accepting donations to the scholarship fund. To make a donation by phone, contact Rachel Traficanti at (847) 888-5000, ext. 6028. Donations can also be made online through the U-46 webpage, www.u-46.org/foundation/.

"When I found out I was very excited, that money is a great help toward my education. It shows that everything I worked hard for in high school paid off," said Arlette Ramos," a Bartlett High School graduate and scholarship recipient who is studying nursing at Aurora University.

"When my youngest brother was born, he spent a month in the hospital and I interacted with nurses and saw firsthand how they worked and that's why I wanted to become a nurse," Ramos said.