Montini Catholic senior earns Northern Illinois University's prestigious Presidential Scholarship

Montini Catholic senior Juviny Noriega (of Melrose Park) was recently chosen to receive Northern Illinois University's most prestigious scholarship, their NIU Presidential Scholarship, for the 2021-22 academic year.

"The Presidential Scholarship is granted to just a few elite students based upon outstanding academic achievements, extra- and co-curricular involvement and leadership, and potential for contributing to NIU," said Anne E. Hardy, Director of Scholarships at the university in DeKalb.

The scholarship provides full tuition each fall and spring semester as well as on-campus housing and a meal plan.

"Only 10 students out of the entire incoming freshmen class receive this award each year," added Montini Catholic counselor Patrick Donlan. "We are so proud of Juviny."

"The news completely took me by surprise," said Juviny who will be going into the School of Nursing program at NIU. "I was scheduled for a second interview and had prepared intensively for it, but little did I know that I had already obtained the scholarship. I was overjoyed and felt instant relief. As I screamed throughout my house about the great news, I realized my hard work had paid off. I thanked God for this huge opportunity and was overcome with happiness. I immediately told everyone who had helped me throughout this process and thanked them tremendously!"

Juviny will also participate in the University Honors Program which includes the benefit of specialized advising, alumni connections, student leadership opportunities, honors-only research opportunities and guaranteed admission into select graduate programs at NIU.

"I would tell all younger students to never underestimate themselves," said Juviny when asked about the advice he would give younger students preparing for the college scholarship seeking process.

"I would have never thought that I would receive an award like this. Apply to where you want and engage yourself in several scholarship opportunities. The more you do so the higher the chance you have at obtaining more. The most important thing that I have learned throughout the years is to always strive to do more than what you think you can do."

Visit www.montini.org or www.facebook.com/montinicatholic.

Montini Catholic High School in Lombard is a family-centered, co-educational, college preparatory high school, rooted in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ as emulated by St. John Baptist DeLaSalle and committed to the education of the whole person. The LaSallian tradition recognizes the sacredness of all persons and educates students of diverse abilities, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Each student is expected to participate in an educational setting that will emphasize the message of Christ, service, and responsibility to Church, family and community.