McHenry County College names Education to Empowerment scholarship recipients
Five McHenry County College female students were named recipients of the prestigious Education to Empowerment award, a scholarship and mentoring opportunity for women, offered by the Friends of MCC Foundation. The scholarship's mission is to empower women to reach their fullest potential and achieve economic independence through education mentoring and financial support.
The 2016 recipients are: Sarah Klos and Natalia Kupiec, both of Crystal Lake; Trace Chase of Johnsburg; Emma Kane of Algonquin; and Brianne Sullivan of Lake in the Hills. Each student will receive up to $4,000 as needed for academic expenses during her sophomore year at MCC and up to $4,000 as needed for academic expenses in the student's junior year at a four-year accredited college or university.
The recipients and their career plans are: Chase is pursuing her associate degree at MCC and plans to transfer to a four-year college to study early childhood education. She has volunteered as a Big Sister for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County. She also is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society at MCC. Kane is completing requirements toward an associate degree and then she plans to transfer to a four-year university to study psychology. With her interest in horsemanship and psychology, she hopes to become an Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association mental health professional specializing in military services. Klos is an avid photographer and has an interest in graphic design. She plans to earn her associate's in art degree and pursue her passion of educating others about the environment and climate change. Kupiec is the vice president of Phi Theta Kappa honor society at MCC. She is completing requirements for an associate degree and plans to attend medical school and specialize in women's health. Sullivan is an acting aquatics supervisor and swim lesson instructor at Lifetime Fitness and is vice president of the Psy Beta Honor Society in Psychology at MCC. She plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor's degree and continue on to earn a doctorate with an emphasis in clinical military psychology.
The Education to Empowerment scholarship began in 2013 and brings together 100 influential McHenry County women to provide scholarships and mentoring opportunities for MCC female students. To qualify for the award, all four applicants are full-time students who have achieved sophomore status and have earned a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25 and complete a 300-word essay outlining their personal goals. They also have demonstrated financial need.
The Education to Empowerment Committee hosts up to four events per year that are sponsored by local businesses. For more information about Education to Empowerment or other scholarships, contact the Friends of MCC Foundation Office at (815) 455-8721.