Three local students to receive $4,750 grants over next four years

The Gamma Xi Chapter Foundation for Educational Pursuits recently announced the selection of three recipients for their recruitment grants. Each recipient will receive $4750, which will be awarded over her four years of college as long as she remains in education.

The Gamma Xi Chapter Foundation for Educational Pursuits is a 501(c)(3) charity formed by members of the Gamma Xi Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, which is an honorary educational society for women educators.

This foundation has provided almost $80,000 dollars in monetary support to young women, residing in the Elgin Area School District U-46 and Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 attendance areas, who are on career paths leading to teacher certification. Since the foundation's first grants in 2010, the foundation has assisted 23 high school students in reaching their goals of becoming educators.

This year three grant recipients were selected.

• Erinn Karis from South Elgin High School will be majoring in elementary education. She has always enjoyed school and loved children. "I distinctly remember my second-grade teacher, who taught English in a dual-language setting, putting me in charge of the class for ten minutes while she spoke to a fellow teacher. I got to watch over the class and finish reading them a story. Sliding into the throne that was my teacher's rocking chair, I remember picking up the book and enthusiastically reading the story, proudly showing off the pictures. I loved feeling like a leader and creating an environment where my class enjoyed their learning; it was a magical moment in my life."

• Jacey Lambert from Hampshire High School plans to major in elementary education at Harding University. "Educational workers play a crucial role in the development of future generations. I want to take this crucial role, and help students grow as people and learners, be a role model, help them understand the world, how to be respectful, and of course give them school work in order to succeed in the future. Overall, I strongly believe in the need for good teachers, and I want to enter the field of education so I can make a lasting impact on future generations to come."

• Dasani Johnson from Larkin High School will be majoring in elementary education. "I have a love and passion for learning and therefore also have a passion to teach and share skills and knowledge I acquire. I have a clear plan of action and a great desire to help develop the minds of students and to affirm their identities with a willingness to evolve my educational mission as necessary."

Monies for these grant opportunities are received from the EFS Foundation, the Gamma Xi Chapter, bequests, memorials and/or honorariums from local donors, and various individual supporters. Anyone interested in supporting The Foundation in its mission of Funding Tomorrow's Educators Today may contact Karen Phillips at kphillips51@sbcglobal.net.