Through the generosity of several caring donors, over $40,000 in scholarship funding is available in 2024 from the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, including two new awards.
The SRCCF scholarship application period is underway through 5 p.m. Friday, March 1. Visit https://www.srccf.org/scholarships for the application and information. Awards ranging in value from $10,000 to $500 include the:
- Rising Star Scholarship, a $5,000 award established by retired teacher Ethel McConnell of Ottawa for a student pursuing an elementary education degree at Illinois State University.
- Carol and Dick Janko Scholarship for Promising Entrepreneurs is awarded to students who intend to create their own business upon college graduation. A total of $7,500 is available.
- Internet of Things (IoT) Scholarship for Science, Engineering and Technology presented by Advantech offers two $1,500 scholarships.
- Mac-Aero Scholarship for Aeronautics and Aviation is a $10,000 award established by Ethel McConnell to honor her late husband Ed who had a passion for aviation.
- Tangled Roots Brewing Company Pie It Forward Scholarship offers $1000 for students interested in pursuing a career in hospitality and/or culinary arts.
- Charles H. Beckett Scholarship for Culinary Arts, a $2,500 award established by Chuck Beckett of Ottawa to support a student in the Culinary Arts Management program at Joliet Junior College.
- Women Inspired Network Young Leaders Scholarship, a $3,000 award for a female student who can demonstrate significant leadership skills and accomplishments throughout her high school or college career.
- Stephen Charles Vogler Scholarship for Electronics and Communications, a $1,220 award established by Starved Rock Media President John Spencer for students pursuing an electronics or communications degree at Illinois Valley Community College.
- Robert J. and Ellen G. Moore Memorial Scholarship for Fieldcrest High School and Wenona students. The amount will be based on financial need and more than one may be awarded.
- Molly Lenora Yacko Memorial Scholarship, a new award funded by proceeds from the Run Today for Tomorrow 5K in Ottawa. It rewards a college junior or senior pursuing a mental health-related degree and planning to return after college to work in Starved Rock Country.
- Streator Leading Ladies Maxine Wargo Working Women’s Scholarship, a new $500 award for women returning to school after a year or more absence. It honors Maxine Wargo, a businesswoman and role model for women in Streator.
The application covers the student’s academics, honors, leadership, service, employment, and extracurricular activities and requires a separate essay for each scholarship and two letters of recommendation from educators.
For information or to learn how you can create a scholarship with SRCCF, contact Director of Operations Janice Corrigan at (815) 252-2906, ext. 2 or janice@srccf.org.
Visit https://www.srccf.org/scholarships for the application and information.
