Seigle Foundation surprises U-46 Superintendent’s Scholar

Elgin High School graduate Gael Flores was one of 30 recipients this past April, of the School District U-46 Superintendent’s Scholarship award for first-generation college-bound students.

Gael is using his $2,000 scholarship, awarded via the U-46 Educational Foundation, to help cover tuition costs at Aurora University, where he is studying nursing while working part time.

The largest donor to the Superintendent’s Scholarship fund is the Seigle Foundation, which has awarded a grant for this program for the past three years.

Recently, Gael reached out to thank Mark and Robin Seigle for their part in funding his scholarship.

In addition to being very moved by his words, the Seigles found it even more remarkable that Gael chose the lost art of a written thank-you note to express his gratitude.

They invited him to meet for coffee, and once the time and place was set, Mark Seigle added another surprise — he invited District U-46 Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Johnson to join them as well.

The group met, drank coffee, shared stories of their backgrounds, and Gael received a few small gifts.

Mark Seigle, in describing how he has come to head up a foundation that gives money away, mentioned that he too is a first-generation college graduate in his family.

Mark told Gael that he feels like the scholarship students he helps are like family to him, so that makes Gael family. Gael was very gracious, and when asked if there was anything else they could help him with, his answer was, “No, I don’t think there’s anything else I need. I just look forward to being able to give back some day.”

Kudos to U-46 Foundation for their selection process and to Dr. Johnson for her selfless act of kindness.