Elgin Police Explorer awarded $2,000 public safety scholarship
Larkin High School graduate Yeraldi Morales and has been awarded a $2,000 Law Enforcement Education Program Dream Scholarship, which is double the amount awarded to recipients last year. She is among 27 top students who will receive the award to encourage their pursuit of law enforcement/public safety careers by the professional public safety officers of LEEP.
Morales will use her LEEP Award to pursue a bachelor's degree in forensic psychology with a minor in criminal justice at Harper College.
"(The LEEP Dream Scholarship) will give me the opportunity to expand my career in criminal justice and achieve my goal of becoming a police officer," she wrote in her scholarship application.
She is Elgin Police Explorer Secretary, serving with the Explorers through 800-plus hours of community service.
"Yeraldi is an enthusiastic outspoken representative of our post," wrote Sgt. K. Senne, lead advisor of Elgin Police Department Law Enforcement Explorer Post 1445. "She takes it upon herself to make new members feel welcome. She has been part of our award winning competitive teams and has attended and competed at the Illinois State Law Enforcement Explorer Conference and also attended and competed at the National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference."
She was on the JV soccer team, was in Yearbook Club and editor-in-chief for the yearbook. She assisted other students through Royal Ambassadors, helping with freshmen orientation, and Student Page, distributing school paperwork.
"As editor-in-chief, I promote/sell the book, make sure there are no errors and make sure the staff keeps up with their work," Morales wrote.
Other scholarship winners include: Graciela Popoca of Illinois; Caitlin Cardenas of Arizona; Nautika Harris of Arkansas; Jennifer Hong and Jose Ruiz of California; Tyler Madden of Kentucky; Brennan Blackstone of Maine; Christian Campbell, Mason Deible, Bradley Duck Jr., Caleb Fort, Meleigha Herington, Austin Lynema, Erik Rittenger and Marybeth Gormley of Michigan; Laura Rognerud of Montana; Michaela Lawrence of Nebraska; Joseph Hill of Nevada; Kyle McCarthy, Cali Martinez and Brook Pi of New York; Jazmin Tucker of Ohio; Evan Guin of Tennessee; Amanda Condon of Texas; Alexander Braatz of Washington; and Michaela McDonald of Wisconsin.
In its 13th year, LEEP has awarded some $216,000 in Dream scholarships to students showing a demonstrated interest in public service/law enforcement careers. The non-profit public safety group's scholarship program is made possible by a growing list of national supporters.
Visit www.leepusa.com for more information about LEEP programs.