ECC student lives on through scholarship

For Chuck Bain, this graduation season is bittersweet.

In September 2006, Bain's 20-year old son, Corey, a talented welding student at Elgin Community College, died in a two-car crash at Carls Road and Route 23 near Marengo.

In his memory, the Bain family established the Corey Bain Memorial Scholarship Fund, intended to help needy high school graduates attending welding classes at ECC.

The award covers each recipient's tuition and supplies.

Last week, the first scholarship recipient, Tom Kolanko, completed the college's welding program.

Kolanko, of Carpentersville, was selected for the scholarship for a number of reasons, said program coordinator Dave Reich.

Kolanko's near-perfect attendance record, his hard-working attitude and financial need all factored into selection.

This summer, Kolanko will join the U.S. Army's specialist program to be trained as an Army master welder. He is scheduled to leave for Army training in mid-June.

"The scholarship has provided a path for a young man raised in a troubled home to learn valuable skills that will take him virtually around the world," Reich said.

For a grieving father, the scholarship also has proven cathartic.

"After Corey's death, we found out how much he helped others at ECC … now that the scholarship has been established in his name, the life of what he was doing has a life of its own," Bain said.

The privately funded scholarship is constantly seeking corporate donations, Bain said.

Tax-deductible donations may be made to the Corey Bain Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o First American Bank, 218 W. Main St., West Dundee, IL, 60118.

For information about eligibility or to obtain an application, call ECC's welding program coordinator Dave Reich at (847) 214-7235.

Central commencement: Burlington Central High School's May 30 graduation will be at Elgin Community College in the Spartan Events Center, 1700 Spartan Drive. The change of venue was made by the class of 2008 to allow as many family members and friends as possible to attend the event. Ceremony starts at 7 p.m.

Showing some medal: Students from three Elgin Area School District U-46 high schools -- Elgin, Larkin and Streamwood -- took part in a competition held last week by the Illinois chapter of the Health Occupations Students of America. A total of 113 of those students ended up in the top 10 in different competition areas.

U-46 students brought home 29 first place, 31 second place and 24 third place awards.

A total of 578 students from around Illinois participated in the event held in Decatur, Ill. Competitions were held in the areas of health sciences, health professions, emergency preparedness, leadership, teamwork and recognition.