Des Plaines Community Foundation awards scholarships

The Des Plaines Community Foundation recently presented four $1,500 scholarships to local area college students.

"We believe that helping our young adults obtain a college education is an investment, not only in the future of our youth, but also in the future of Des Plaines," said Rosemary Argus, executive director of the foundation.

"The scholarships will help bring a college degree within reach for students who want it most."

The scholarship luncheon was held at Alliant Credit Union, 11545 W. Touhy Ave. Lunch was served and the recipients got a chance to meet the DPCF board of trustees and the scholarship committee.

Argus told luncheon attendees the DPCF was very excited about awarding these scholarships and certificates of achievement. This was the second year the foundation presented the scholarship awards all on its own. Last year the foundation granted four $1,500 scholarships.

The scholarship committee trustees Rich Holke, Kimberly Ball, Rick Bulthuis, Dick Sayad, Sandra Hansen and Margaret Polovchak judged the applications based on strict guidelines and required paperwork.

Students were required to be Des Plaines residents and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. To be eligible, high school seniors must be in the process of applying to or enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program at a college, university, or vocational/technical institution during the fall semester of 2014.

The students were also required to provide a 100-word statement of their personal goals and a 500-word essay about how they have participated in community service or worked to support themselves or their family.

A copy of high school transcripts that include a cumulative GPA was also required. The annual scholarships are available for both two-year and four-year college students.

"The students' essays were just outstanding," said Argus. "We have such amazing, talented and driven students here in Des Plaines."

The four 2014 winners of the scholarships are all previous Maine West High School students. The winners are Georgina Genovese, Natalie Kozenczak, Megan Emily Sanks and Joseph Marella.

"I am honored to be chosen by the committee for this generous scholarship," said Georgina Genovese, an 18-year-old graduate of Maine West High School.

Genovese will be attending Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She is studying physical therapy and exercise science and plans to have her doctorate in six years. During high school, she also did community service through the National Honor Society, Key Club and Warrior Pride.

"I also have a passion to study abroad and travel around the world because different cultures really fascinate me," said Genovese.

She has been dancing since she was 5 years old and helping the community for the last seven years. Genovese had the opportunity to be a teacher's assistant for the past four years at her dance studio through a program called Helping Hands.

She taught dance classes, demonstrated and helped correct the students' dance techniques. The dance studio is called Artistry in Motion and they perform at local nursing homes and community festivals.

Other service-oriented activities Genovese was involved in included local events for Feed My Starving Children and Make A Wish Foundation, or even volunteering at local soup kitchens or making get well cards for children in the hospital.

Natalie Kozenczak, also a former Maine West graduate, was also elated with receiving the scholarship award from the DPCF.

"Being awarded the scholarship was very helpful with my financial assistance for studying for a degree in animal science," she said. "I plan to use the scholarship to attend Colorado State University in Fort Collins and eventually acquire a degree in veterinary medicine."

Kozenczak has enjoyed volunteering in the community for some time - whether she is helping tutor fellow classmates or volunteering to be a page for the day at the Illinois House of Representatives in Springfield - she wants to make a difference.

She has a lifelong goal to be a veterinarian. In addition to attending Maine West High School, Kozenczak also went to Maine South High School especially to take Chinese during the school year. She was adopted by her parents at the age of 11 months from China.

Kozenczak also took classes in nanotechnology at Oakton Community College when she was a junior at Maine West High School.

"I am interested in applying nanotechnology to medical research as it applies to animals, particularly felines and exotic species," said Kozenczak. "I believe the application could directly impact research on animal cancers. I know the process of becoming a vet is eight years and I am dedicated and ready to commit."

Megan Emily Sanks, also 18 years old and a Maine West graduate, will be attending DePaul University in Lincoln Park to study English and international studies. She plans to use the scholarship for tuition and books.

"With English being my major, there will be a lot of books to purchase for classes," she said. "Some of my other goals for DePaul include participating in the human right activists group that is closely affiliated with Amnesty International.

"I would like to work with Amnesty through DePaul and have a positive impact on others through supporting and fighting for their rights as citizens and human beings," she said.

Sanks loved to volunteer and give back to the community in high school. For the past four years Sanks was a volunteer for the Des Plaines Public Library on the Teen Advisory Board (TAB), where she helped plan events for the kids at the library.

She also was a camp counselor for the YMCA, as well as volunteer at her Lutheran Church planning the annual Easter egg hunt for the kids.

The fourth scholarship went to Joseph Marella, an 18-year-old recent Maine West High School graduate. He will be attending Benedictine University in Lisle.

"My goal was to play college football and I decided to tirelessly apply myself on the field and in the classroom," said Marella. "I enjoy helping others and being involved in the community - it is who I am. I would find it difficult to not continue this pattern throughout my college and later life."

Marella plans to use the scholarship toward tuition and books. Through being an Eagle Scout, he gave back to the community on many levels. He has spent time with the elderly, collected food for the neighborhood food pantry, participated in flag ceremonies and much more.

The foundation raises funds to identify, link and mobilize assets to support the service programs of the Des Plaines Healthy Community Partnership Programs, whose activities improve the lives of those that live and work in Des Plaines.

Some of the programs include: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program Committee; Healthy Community/Healthy Youth Program Committee; Intergenerational Program Committee; and Seasons of Service program Committee.

The foundation has no paid employees and is 100 percent volunteer. The foundation is a 501c3 organization and funds are obtained from individuals, businesses, and corporate tax-deductible.

For information about the scholarship program, visit www.desplainescommunityfoundation.org or call Rosemary Argus at (847) 297-4932 or (847) 525-5566.

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