Thank You, Libby!

After serving on the U-46 Educational Foundation Board for 12 years, Elizabeth "Libby" Hoeft, pictured above in the red coat, recently relocated to Iowa to be closer to family.  With her departure from Illinois, she left the care and maintenance of the Douglas Hoeft Scholarship Fund, a fund she created in memory of her husband, to the U-46 Educational Foundation.  We were fortunate to have Libby as a part of the Foundation for so long, and we are honored to continue the scholarship she created in memory of Doug Hoeft.  

U-46 Educational Foundation Board President, E.C. "Bud" Wilson offered the following thoughts on Libby's leaving:

We had quite a display of appreciation and best wishes for Libby Hoeft at our December meeting in response to her announcement of relocation to Des Moines to be close to family.

She's been involved from the outset-- with persistent optimism-- as we defined organization and development plans for this Foundation.

Libby and Doug Hoeft came to U-46 staff in the early 60's.  It didn't take long for both to also be active in many civic endeavors, always with a  sense of how public education blends with community aspirations.

When we lost Doug about 20 years ago, Libby formed a county-wide scholarship program in his honor.  Her confidence in our future is evidenced by redirecting management of that fund to benefit each of our five high schools with an annual scholarship award.

Libby Hoeft always says  "yes" to any request for advice and guidance on new initiatives and backs the process with her own time and energy. Most of us have experienced that determination with time on her patio and around the dining room table.

I'm sure our regard and thanks is echoed from a parade of organizations and individuals.

July 2021
Dear Donors and Committee,
      Thank you so much for your generous donation to the U-46 Educational Foundation. Your resources are being put to work in unimaginable ways and there will be incredible achievements, breakthroughs, and experiences that will all be because of your giving. Like many individuals across the community, the cost of college is certainly as big a barrier as actually earning a degree for me. Receiving this scholarship from my own school district doesn’t only help take some of the weight of financial cost off my shoulders, but also motivates me to make sure I work hard wherever I go with the knowledge that there are people back home who are hoping for my success. It is inspiring to think of the many people, like you, who believe in the power of giving, and have the heart and compassion to give away their own financial assets in order to better the life of someone they do not even know or may not have even met. That kind of belief and generosity is why so much good is able to happen in the world, and why it is always in my best interest to believe that there are good people who are willing to sacrifice what they have to help others, even if they don’t know if the fruits of their labor will be bountiful.
      Once again I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and generosity. It may be unclear exactly how your assistance will be life-changing, but to students in U-46 like me who are already so grateful and motivated from all you’ve done, you can rest easy knowing that your support will not be in vain. Thank you so much for what you do, and I hope you know that you have inspired many people to go out and help people in their own way. You all are the small ripples that create a great wave of success for us students.
           Also, a great acknowledgment goes out to the selection committee for their time and dedication in reading through all the applications. You are true change agents.
      Thank you,  Noah J. Munoz

2021 Superintendent's Scholarship Winner, Noah Munoz, is now a student at the University of Illinois.

Tools Valued at Over $200K Donated By DXP Enterprises

Second semester for the precision manufacturing students at Streamwood and South Elgin High Schools started with some big news and lots of new equipment.  Students returned to school to find that DXP Enterprises donated over $200K worth of tools to the program.  

The donation was spearheaded by Precision Manufacturing Advisory Committee Board Member, John Zauner, DXP's Illinois Sales Manager.   Zauner, who is also a graduate of the Streamwood High School precision manufacturing program, told us, "We have something very special with this program.  When I think about all of the opportunities it has provided me in my career, I want to try to provide those same opportunities to younger generations."

In the District’s precision manufacturing classes, students get hands-on training in precision measurement and learn how to operate lathe, milling, and grinding machines. There is an emphasis on designing a production process and CNC education, which prepares students for the computer numerical control systems that are prevalent in modern manufacturing. 

Matt Erbach, Streamwood precision manufacturing instructor shown above unpacking some of the donations with students, said the donation will be a "welcome opportunity to upgrade U-46's worn out and older tooling."

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to John Zauner and everyone at DXP Enterprises.  

Please read more about the cutting-edge precision manufacturing program in U-46. 

Scholarship Selection Committee

This March we need volunteers to serve on our Scholarship Selection Committees, helping evaluate scholarship applicants. Selection Committee members will read applications, including essays, and evaluate applicants using a 6-8 question rubric.

By being a part of a committee, you will get an insider's glimpse into some of our best and brightest students from the Class of 2022. You will learn about the challenges they have faced and their ambitious plans post-high school.

All committee members will be given guidelines for reviewing and ranking applicants.   Members are expected to be impartial, objective, and fair while maintaining the privacy of applicants. Applications will be blinded, as much as possible, before given to the selection committee.

If you would like to be considered for a Scholarship Selection Committee, please sign up using this online form by February 28th. 

You Bring Out the Best in Our Students!

Highland Elementary School teacher, Diana Bribiesca, applied for a grant this year from the U-46 Educational Foundation to purchase blank books for her English Language Learner students. Every month her bilingual students will write and illustrate a new book, and the books are displayed around the school.

Pictured here, left to right, are her students Elgin, Adrian, Cesar, and Joshua proudly holding their books.

Adrian must have been in the holiday spirit because his first book was titled, "Jesse y El Día De Acción De Gracias" or "Jesse and Thanksgiving Day." Its sequel was "La Navidad de Jesse" or "Jesse's Christmas."

I wonder what Adrian wrote about this month? 

Your generous support of the U-46 Educational Foundation turned Elgin, Adrian, Cesar, and Joshua into authors and illustrators.

Thank you to all of our donors and supporters, especially those that gave during the 2021 holiday season.   Your support ignites our students' creativity and passion!

Celebrating 15 years!

The first-ever board meeting for the U-46 Educational Foundation was held fifteen years ago on January 19, 2007 at the McGraw Wildlife Center in Dundee, Illinois.  Present that day were Sue Rakow, who was voted in as the first Board President during the meeting, Katy Dolan Baumer, Rev. Nat Edmond, Javier Montoya, Leo Nelson, Craig Ochoa, Mark Seigle, and Dan Walter.  U-46 administrators included Connie Neale, Patrick Broncato, and Karen Fox.   U-46 Board of Education Members present were Karen Carney and Ken Kaczynski. 

During that meeting, the board members unanimously agreed upon a mission for the Foundation, "...to enhance the quality of education for U-46 students."   In 2019, that mission statement was revised to adopt a more holistic approach to serving U-46 students.   Our mission now states that the Foundation seeks to, "...enhance student learning and well-being."    

The U-46 Educational Foundation is proud to mark our 15 year anniversary and continued commitment to U-46 this year.   Join us this year as we reflect on how the Foundation has grown, changed, and impacted our students since 2007!

Photos From the Elgin High School Archives Now Online

Thanks to Elgin High School Alumni and U-46 Educational Foundation Board Member, Chandler Swan, you can now find many photos from the Elgin High School Archives online.   Chandler has worked diligently to scan and upload several photos from 1875 through 1927.   

For a glimpse into Elgin High School's history, click on Archives from the EHS Alumni webpage.  u-46.org/Page/13862  

Stay informed of upcoming events by registering as a U-46 Alumni today.  Click on your school's link below to get started.

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