Lisle Park District awards two scholarships
At the Lisle Park District board meeting Aug. 20, two Lisle seniors were awarded the Robert Kuzmicki Education Scholarship provided to graduating seniors who reside in Lisle and funded by the Lisle Park District and the Lisle Partners for Parks Foundation.
The scholarship was created in memory of Bob Kuzmicki, who lost his battle with a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in December 2005. The devoted father and husband was also the Lisle Park District's facility specialist and was well known by many patrons at Sea Lion Aquatic Park for his dedication to the facility.
The Lisle Park District received many qualified applications for the two $500 scholarships.
Applicants were asked to explain the importance of community involvement and how it applies to their lives, the benefits of the park district, and how their work ethic will affect their future goals.
The two students chosen by the scholarship committee have astonishing work ethics, are incredibly selfless, and truly understand the role a park district plays within the community.
The first of two scholarships was awarded to Bich-Yen Pham. Bich-Yen graduated from Lisle High School this past spring and is attending the University of Illinois this fall. LHS Mathematics Instructor Ronald Jaegle described Bich-Yen as "relentless in her work ethic and desire to succeed." Motivated and inspired by a friend's late father to pursue her interest in science, Bich-Yen will be studying chemical and biomolecular engineering and plans on a career in chemistry. In her free time, Bich-Yen likes to read novels, draw, and spend time with friends. Bich-Yen is an excellent representation of Lisle, with a great rapport among teachers, staff, and students at Lisle High School. Her dedication and hard work will help her be just as successful at U of I as she was at Lisle High School.
April Clancy received the second scholarship, and also graduated from Lisle High School in the spring. April will be attending Lewis University this fall. Her softball coach of 8 years, Craig Martin, noted her leadership and commitment; "April consistently encouraged her teammates to move past (errors) and refocus ... her maturity and leadership helped the team move past it and stay in the game." Despite losing her father to cholangiocarcinoma during her junior year of high school, the experience of spending time around the caring nurses at the hospital inspired April to pursue a life of helping others, leading to her interest in nursing, which she will be studying at Lewis. Outside of her studies, April enjoys painting, baking, cooking, and spending time with family. April, too, is an excellent representation of Lisle, with a big heart that has been noticed by many at Lisle High School and beyond. Her resilience and determination will allow her to succeed in the nursing program at Lewis, as well as in her future endeavors.
The Lisle Park District, the board of park commissioners, and Lisle Partners for Parks Foundation wish both Bich-Yen and April the best in their futures.
The application for next year's Robert Kuzmicki Education Scholarship is available online by visiting LisleParkDistrict.org.
The Lisle Park District provides a variety of leisure activities for people of all ages throughout the year. Park district facilities include Lisle Community Park; the Recreation Center which houses Gentle Learning Preschool, SEASPAR, the Senior Center, and multipurpose rooms; Sea Lion Aquatic Park; River Bend Golf Course; Wheatstack - A Midwestern Eatery & Tap and numerous neighborhood playgrounds and parks offering amenities such as tennis courts, ball fields, walking paths and picnic areas totaling close to 400 acres. It is the mission of the Lisle Park District to enrich the quality of life for people of all ages by providing constructive and creative leisure opportunities. For more information, call (630) 964-3410 or visit lisleparkdistrict.org.