New this year is the Tom Hernandez Memorial Scholarship, giving $500 to one aspiring journalist from each high school in Plainfield is one of several new scholarships.
“Tom believed deeply in the responsibility of telling stories with accuracy, integrity and purpose,” District 202 Director of Community Engagement Kelly Larson said. “Whether reporting on local issues or sharing the stories of students, families, and educators, he understood that thoughtful communication builds trust, fosters understanding and strengthens communities.”
The Foundation of Excellence offers small scholarships reserved for District 202 students, often very specialized.
“I definitely think they are worth having because even though they’re only specific to some, people can still get them and most likely there’s going to be less people applying to them, so they do still help out the people who need them,” Thomas Coleman, senior, said.
College is, of course, expensive, and scholarships help many people to afford it when they may not have been able to.
“It is very common for students and families to look to scholarships as part of their plan to pay for college,” Amber Witry, counselor, said, “While scholarships can help reduce the overall cost, it is not typical for scholarships to cover the full cost of tuition, room, and board. Students should not rely on scholarships as their primary financial plan. Instead, they should expect to use a combination of financial aid, family contribution, savings, and, in some cases, loans.”
Students can apply through the Plainfield Foundation of Excellence website, or using links sent to students by Witry.
According to longtime Foundation of Excellence board member George Capps, the foundation has been steadily increasing the number of scholarships in past years, adding four in the past two years alone.
“The Foundation Trustees have awarded Community Service Scholarships for more than 40 years and Horizon Summer Learning Grants since 2013, with amounts and numbers varying over time,” Capps said.
New scholarships can be established in two ways, either being introduced by board trustees, or by a donor. The Foundation’s newest scholarship, The Thomas A. Hernandez memorial scholarship, was introduced by a donor.
The foundation awarded more than $40,000 in scholarship money to District 202 students in the 24-25 school year alone, and encourages students to apply, including those going into trade school, beauty school, or other post-secondary programs including, but not by any means limited to a traditional four-year college or university.
Other scholarships include the AAA Abuzir Insurance Agency Scholarship, which is for those going into “skill-based careers” such as the trades, real estate, insurance, or beauty school. The Wildcat Athletic Booster Scholarship started last year, along with others, and more are expected to come in the future.
“I strongly encourage all students to regularly review the scholarship list and apply to every opportunity for which they are eligible,” Witry said.