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U-46 names 25 Superintendent's Scholarship winners

Elgin Area School District U-46 Chief Executive Officer Tony Sanders will host the fifth annual Superintendent's Scholarship reception and awards ceremony Wednesday for the winners, their families and scholarship donors. Eligible students submitted applications for the program which supports students who are the first in their families to attend college or a postsecondary institution.

"These outstanding students have already overcome many obstacles and achieved so much and we are proud to recognize them and their families through this program," said CEO Sanders. "We're again so grateful for the tremendous generosity of the U-46 community who are allowing us to lessen the financial burden of college tuition for these 25 students. I cannot wait to hear what they accomplish during college."

In 2012, José Torres established the Superintendent's Scholarship fund through the U-46 Educational Foundation. Since then, 65 graduates have each received the $1,000 scholarship.

Nearly 50 students applied last month for the scholarships, passing on their own essays as well as reference letters. A review team, made up of U-46 administrators, including high school principals, evaluated and ranked their applications to select the top 25 applicants. They are bound for postsecondary institutions such as Bradley University, Elgin Community College, Illinois State University, Loyola University and Northern Illinois University. Others plan to attend Georgia Institute of Technology, Iowa State University and Michigan State University.

During the scholarship program reception Wednesday evening at Kenyon Woods Middle School in South Elgin, the students will network with guests. Prior to the program, recipients attended a networking workshop by U-46 board member Traci O'Neal Ellis to help prepare them with tips and techniques. O'Neal Ellis stressed the skills needed to make a good first impression and demonstrate self-confidence.

The 25 Class of 2016 Superintendent's Scholarship recipients are as follows:

• Bartlett High School: Jeremy Arzuaga, Lindsey Petritis, and Kayla Tran

• Elgin High School: Iveth Prado, Isaac Rivera, and Anthony Ruiz

• Gifford Street High School: Ariadna Hernandez and Eric Juarez

• Larkin High School: Mayra Arce, Omar Flores, Cindy Hernandez, Helen Kheyo, Keyvon Kyles, D'montrelle Mardis, Laura Ocampo, Gysselle Ortiz, Maria Ramirez, Ariana Real, Abel Saenz, Branstarr Sihanath, Natalie Somphonhphakdy, Lynn Vega, and Madeline Vilchiz

• South Elgin High School: Trenton Williams

• Streamwood High School: Chance McCray

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