Kishwaukee College Foundation Awards $218,866 in Scholarships

The Kishwaukee College Foundation recently distributed a total of $218,866 in scholarships to support hundreds of local students for the fall semester. This significant financial assistance was awarded through 296 scholarships, benefiting students pursuing various educational pathways at Kishwaukee College. The funds originate from generous contributions made by area agencies, community members, and local businesses and industries.

Scholarship recipients were selected based on competitive criteria that align with the specific requirements of each scholarship. The Foundation is currently preparing for the upcoming spring semester scholarship application period, which runs from September 15 to October 15.

Notable Scholarship Recipients

Among the recipients are students recognized for their achievements in various fields. For instance, the **AG Communications Endowment** awarded scholarships to Brian Cuevas and Damian Nava-Barrientos, both from Mendota and Rochelle, respectively. Similarly, the **Albert and Frances Besserman Endowment** granted funds to Luis Blas of Rochelle.

The **Barry Haber Kiwanis Club of DeKalb Scholarship** recognized three students: Ella Medina, Citlally Reyes Colorado, and Natalia Rivera-Munoz, all from DeKalb and Sycamore. The **Beulah and Roberta Hackett Endowment** supported multiple students, including David Andrade and Justin Bell from DeKalb, as well as Vanessa Briseno from Rochelle.

The **Bruce Cobb Horticulture Scholarship** was awarded to Crystal Larrabee of DeKalb, while the **Bud and Kay Stocking Rochelle Rotary Service Above Self Endowment** recognized Kara Martinez and Annaleigh McKinney, both from Rochelle.

A Broad Range of Awards

In addition to these notable scholarships, a wide array of awards reflects the diverse backgrounds and academic pursuits of the recipients. The **Charles and Mary Roberts Memorial Endowment** provided scholarships to several students, including Brianna Crawford and David Horsoo, both of DeKalb.

The Foundation emphasizes inclusivity, with scholarships like the **Kishwaukee College First-Generation Scholarship**, which supports students embarking on their higher education journey for the first time. Recipients such as Daniel Bermudez from Sterling and Paulo Diaz Lopez from Sycamore exemplify the potential of first-generation college students.

The **ComEd Endowment** awarded Amy Fraire of Sandwich, while the **Illinois Community College System Foundation Health Care Scholarship** supported Nicole Clements and Kassandra Kirk, both from Sycamore and Rochelle.

These scholarships not only alleviate financial burdens but also serve as recognition of the hard work and dedication that students exhibit in their academic endeavors.

For further details on scholarship opportunities, interested individuals can contact the Kishwaukee College Foundation at 815-825-9803 or visit their website at kish.edu/kcfscholarships. The Foundation continues to play an essential role in fostering educational advancement within the community, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder talented students from achieving their academic goals.