U-46 awards $30,000 in scholarships
Elgin Area School District U-46 officials awarded $30,000 in student scholarships Wednesday during the seventh annual Superintendent's Scholarship reception at Elgin High School.
Scholarships were granted to 30 class of 2018 seniors from all five district high schools and students enrolled in the DREAM Academy alternative educational program. Recipients are the first in their families to attend college.
"All 30 students believe in the American dream," U-46 CEO Tony Sanders said. "All of these students, and their families, are striving for a better life, a life promised through higher education. We are so proud of these outstanding students and excited for their futures. We are also very appreciative of the generous members of the U-46 community who have donated toward this scholarship fund."
Former U-46 superintendent José Torres established the scholarship fund in 2012 through the U-46 Educational Foundation. Since then, more than 180 graduates, including this year's recipients, have received a $1,000 scholarship.
More than 80 eligible seniors submitted applications, including their high school transcript, a copy of their federal student aid application, a letter of recommendation from an adult and a personal essay.
A panel of judges selected recipients from a variety of backgrounds, including several immigrants or children of immigrants. They will be pursuing degree programs at various institutions, including Princeton University in New Jersey, Augustana College in Rock Island, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Southern Illinois University and Syracuse University in New York.
On Wednesday, the students participated in a networking workshop led by former school board member Traci O'Neal Ellis who offered tips and techniques for success in college. Each student received a customized box of business cards. Scholarship recipients are:
• Bartlett High School - Cindy Alba, Emilia Sordyl, Steven Phan, Ummie Ansari and Alden Williams.
• Elgin High School - Devin Wisniewski, Nereida Rosas, Katherine Irelan, Leslie Duran and Emmanuel Ntim.
• Larkin High School - Justin Kelsey, Rebeca Solis, Sheila Vasquez, Emily Renteria, Ezzry Leon, Jessie VanDyke and Monserrat Rivera.
• South Elgin High School - Sergio Perez, Jasmine Vergara, Alex Hernandez, Miguel Valencia and Colette Jones.
• Streamwood High School - Brianna Roldan, Monica Kulasik, Adriana D'Souza, Vanessa Garcia and Bryan Lopez.
• DREAM Academy - Rodrigo Arroyo, Montserrat Perez and Andres Bedolla.