Our Recipients
The individuals on our staff and board are dedicated to both the philanthropic mission of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation and to serving our community at large. We are extremely grateful for their time, contributions, financial support and advocacy.
Scholarship Recipients
2024
Elisabeth "Ella" Kamke
We are pleased to award the 2024 Rising Star Scholarship to Elisabeth "Ella" Kamke of Utica. Elisabeth will be attending Illinois State University to study Music Education for K-12 students. Elisabeth notes her choir teacher was exemplary and is the type of teacher she aspires to be. Elisabeth is the daughter of Darren and Kristine Kamke.
Alex Jagers, Jenna Gamons, Isabella Cacciatore, Madison Applebee
The Carol and Dick Janko Scholarship for Promising Entrepreneurs was split between four students: Alex Jagers who will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and major in Farm Management, Jenna Gamons who will attend the university of Notre Dame to major in Mathematics, Isabella Cacciatore who attends Illinois State University and is majoring in Interior Design with a minor in Environmental Sustainability, and Madison Applebee who will attend Illinois State University and major in Communications Science Disorders.
Clare Phillips
The Moore scholarship goes to Clare Phillips of Wenona. Clare will attend Illinois Valley Community College to major in Business and Marketing and transfer to a four-year university.
Denver Trainor
The Tillman scholarship goes to Denver Trainor of Ransom. Denver will attend St. Ambrose University in the fall to major in Exercise Science.
Lily Ann Keutzer
The Mac-Aero goes to Lily Ann Keutzer of Princeton. Lily Ann who received this award in 2023, is attending Indiana State University majoring in Professional Aviation Flight. Lily made note in her essay she lost her grandfather, who was a pilot himself, to Alzheimer's. He was the inspiration and guiding force behind her decision to enter the aviation field. She is the daughter of Steven and Michelle Kuetzer.
Emma Cushing & Landon Whelchel
The first Internet of Things Scholarship goes to Emma Cushing, of Ottawa, who will attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and major in Biochemistry. The second Internet of Things award goes to Landon Whelchel, of Amboy. Landon will attend Northern Illinois University to major in engineering.
Madelyn Guilinger
The Charles H. Beckett Scholarship for Culinary Arts goes to Madelynn Guilinger, of Morris, who is also the 2023 recipient of this award. Madelynn is a second-year culinary student attending JJC
Kate Passwater
The WIN scholarship goes to Kate Passwater of Ottawa. Kate will attend Iowa State University in the fall to major in Computer Science.
Chesney Auter
The Molly Lenora Yacko Memorial Scholarship goes to Chesney Auter of Ottawa. Chesney will attend Ball State University and major in Sports Psychology.
Scholarship Recipients
2023
Lily Ann Keutzer
The $10,000 Mac-Aero Scholarship for Aeronautics and Aviation, established by Ethel McConnell in honor of her husband Ed, owner of Mac-Aero (where he repaired light planes) in Seneca, went to Lily Ann Keutzer of Princeton. Lily plans to obtain a degree in professional aviation flight technology at Indiana State University.
Maggie McDonald
The $5,000 Rising Star Scholarship, also created by McConnell, an elementary school teacher in Ottawa and Marseilles, went to Maggie McDonald of Seneca. She will obtain degrees in early childhood education and elementary education at Illinois State University.
Alex Graham
The Thomas “Tucker” Tillman Scholarship, established by Tillman’s niece, Shalanda Rabadan, was awarded to Alex Graham of Ottawa. He will obtain a degree in criminal justice, as well as play football at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois.
Eric Lockwood
Eric Lockwood of Peru was the recipient of the $1220 Stephen Charles Vogler Memorial Scholarship, established by Starved Rock Media President and General Manager John Spencer. Eric will complete an Associate of Arts in communications at IVCC.
Madelyn Torrance, Jacksen Ortgiesen, Isabella Caciatorri, Grace Carroll
The Carol and Dick Janko Scholarship for Promising Entrepreneurs was split between four students: Madelyn Torrance of Granville, who will obtain a degree in chemical engineering at Auburn University, Jacksen Ortgiesen of Dixon, who will obtain a business degree from the University of Illinois, Isabella Caciatorri of Spring Valley, who will obtain a degree in interior design with a minor in construction.management from Illinois State University, and Grace Carroll of Ottawa, who will obtain degrees in interior design, architecture, and business at Illinois State University.
Corinne Francis
Corinne Francis of Ottawa was awarded the $3000 WIN Young Women Leaders Scholarship established by the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation. Corinne will obtain a degree in art/illustration at Northern Illinois University.
Madelyn Guilinger
The $2500 Charles H. Beckett Scholarship for the Culinary Arts, also established by the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, was awarded to Madelyn Guilinger of Morris, who will obtain a degree in culinary arts management at Joliet Junior College.
