2019 Fallen Soldier Memorial Scholarships Awarded

The Fallen Soldier Memorial Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Community Character Coalition of Elk Grove and supported by the Elk Grove Friends of the Library and the Shinnyo-en Foundation. These scholarships are based upon the pillar of Citizenship. They honor four young citizens of Elk Grove Village who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation: James S. Cronin, Philip E. Frank, John T. Olsen and Adriana N. Salem.

Scholarship applicants must be Elk Grove Village residents and graduating seniors. The scholarships are not based on financial need and there are no restrictions regarding race, religion, national origin, gender or physical disability. The applicants are judged on their community/school service and their essay on Citizenship

Four $1,000 scholarships were awarded on May l4, 2019 during the Elk Grove Village Board meeting. The winners were:

Holly Olson: Elk Grove High School

Holly participated in Student Council all four years as historian, and junior and senior years as president. She participated in Class Board all four years. Holly is a National Merit Scholar. Holly created and is leading a student athlete leadership group at Elk Grove High School called ASPIRE. Holly has participated in the Sunrise Senior Living LTS Project as the group leader. In addition, she has worked at Feed My Starving Children, Packages for Patriots, raking leaves for the elderly, a food drive collection, Meals on Wheels, visiting Alexian Village and the Shinnyo-en Temple's service event.

College Choice: Bradley University, Peoria, IL. Stated Major: Mechanical Engineering.

Nicole Brashears: Conant High School

Nicole was on the "A" Honor Roll all four years. She was on the Speech Team and was team captain in her senior year. She was on the Lacrosse team freshman through junior years and the team captain in her junior year. Nicole was a member of the National Honor Society her junior and senior years. She participated in Operation Snowball her junior and senior years. Nicole was on the President's Advisory Board. Nicole took the Certified Nurse's Assistant class in her senior year. She was also on the school newspaper her sophomore and junior years.

College Choice: Loyola University, Chicago, IL. Stated Major: Nursing.

Kelly Guagenti: Conant High School

Kelly has been on the "A" honor Roll all four years. She was on the Class Council and the Principal's Advisory Board all four years. She was on the Principal's Forum during her freshman and sophomore years. Kelly was a member of Peer Mediation sophomore through senior years. She was a member of the Gymnastics Team all four years and was the team captain her junior and senior years. Kelly received the IHSA Academic Award, and the MSL All-American Senior Athlete ward. Kelly received the Conant Gymnastics Most Valuable Athlete Award her senior year. She was an Illinois State Scholar and a staff member of Operation snowball her junior and senior years. She was also a staff member of the school yearbook sophomore through senior years and was a member of the National Honor Society.

College Choice: North Central College, Naperville, IL. Stated Major: Elementary Education.

Tristan Fissette: Conant High School

Tristan was a member of the National Honor Society his junior and senior years. He played on the soccer and Lacrosse teams freshman through junior years. Tristan auditioned for the winter/spring play for theater and won a part in the play. He helped to fully develop the E-sports team and led the team to victory in a variety of competitions. Tristan was a member of the Elk Grove Leo Club and served as secretary and vice president during his freshman through junior years. He served as a leader during karate summer camp. Tristan was a member of Improv. He was also very busy volunteering in our community by participating in a pet food drive, Holiday Help, Relay for Life, Feed My Starving Children, working at the WINGS Logistic Center, and working at the community 5K run. Tristan worked as a ride attendant and a character at Pirate's Cove.

College Choice: Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL. Stated Major: Computer Science.