Women's Club of Inverness awards Philanthropy Grants, scholarships
The Women's Club of Inverness has been challenged, as all nonprofits, this year in fundraising efforts. However, through the dedication and creativity of its members, WCI has been able to raise $24,600 this year.
Philanthropy Grants of $6,600 have been awarded to a number of local agencies, including Northwest Community Hospital, Little Sisters of the Poor, One-five Foundation, Excel Beyond 211, Partners for Our Communities, and Palatine Township Needy Family Fund.
Additionally, $18,000 in scholarship funds have been awarded to 18 local high school seniors.
The 2021 Women's Club of Inverness Scholarship winners are:
• Nicole Aigner, a rising college freshman, who will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study chemical engineering.
• Anastazja Ball will continue with her photography and cinematography work at the University of Southern California, studying media arts and practices in the School of Cinematic Arts.
• Jaelen Barrett, a Hoffman Estates High School graduate, will be attending Howard University to pursue a degree in psychology.
• Nathalie Bermudez, a Palatine High School graduate, will attend the University of Chicago. She is a first-generation student, who wants to make a positive contribution to the world.
• Trinity Burgess, a Hoffman Estates High School graduate, will be entering Marquette University to major in journalism and minor in fine arts.
• Karen Castaneda, a Palatine High School graduate, will head to Harper College, then transfer to another institution to continue her studies toward a social work degree.
• Alshiba Choudhry plans to attend college with a career goal to open a tech company that gives back to the less fortunate.
• Kira Cloonan is preparing for her final year of studies at North Central College in preparation to become a teacher in an underfunded community. As the Outstanding French Major for the school year 2020-21, Kira has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in her second language, which she is preparing to teach.
• Zeynep Esra Gumuskilic, a graduate of James B. Conant High School, will be heading to the University of Illinois at Chicago to major in biological sciences and lay the groundwork for her dream career of attending medical school.
• Zayuri Jarillo Hernandez plans on completing his bachelor's degree at Bradley University, eventually transferring to the Rush Hospital Nursing School, where he will complete a master's degree. His plans are to become a nursing assistant or ultrasound technician.
• Zara Khan plans to double major in economics and political science, with a minor in Spanish on a prelaw track at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
• Sebastian Martinez, a Hoffman Estates High School graduate, will attend Elmhurst University to become a music educator.
• Itzel Morales, a Palatine High School graduate, will continue her studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
• Nick McCoy, a Schaumburg High School graduate, will be attending Vanderbilt University as a Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar. He will double major in elementary education and child studies.
• Katherine McKernin, a William Fremd High School graduate, plans to attend Florida State University, where she will major in actuarial science.
• Krystal Palmer will be attending Bradley University in the fall, with plans to become a financial adviser.
• Melanie Toczko, a 2018 Conant High School graduate, is a junior majoring in communication and media with a double minor in marketing and public relations/advertising at DePaul University.
• Vivian Zhao, who will be a freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will major in the education and psychology field.
WCI has a tradition of contributing to local agencies and providing scholarships to worthy local students for more than 50 years.
The Women's Club of Inverness, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization, has depended on the generosity of the community to accomplish its philanthropic mission to address the needs of women, children, families, seniors and students. WCI has given more than $1 million to local community agencies and scholarships.
The club's first meeting of the new year will be held Thursday, Sept. 16. WCI welcomes all potential new members who are interested in contributing to the local community.
For information, visit www.womensclubofinverness.com.