Superintendent's Scholarship

Monserrat Ponce, pictured above, hopes to be an inspiration to her family and all those who have struggled.   She will be the first person in her family to go to college, and she is one of 20 U-46 students to be awarded a Superintendent's Scholarship this year. 

First-generation students often face economic, cultural, professional, and opportunity barriers.  While this scholarship does not erase all of these barriers, we hope it does help students with financial burdens, and, more importantly, it gives students assurance that there are others that believe in their potential and want to encourage their dreams.  

Since the Superintendent's Scholarship fund was established in 2012 through the U-46 Educational Foundation, nearly 250 U-46 first-generation college students, including Monserrat, have each received a $1,000 scholarship.  

Monserrat told us, “As long as you have passion, determination and willingness to work hard, you can achieve anything you want in life.”  Thank you, Monserrat.   We could not have said it better.

Congratulations Bud!

”You can’t complain about a problem if you are not willing to roll up your sleeves and become part of the solution.”   This was E. C. “Bud” Wilson’s message to his six children, now adults, and it is certainly what he has modeled during his 56 years of involvement with District U-46.

In 2014, Mr. Wilson became a member of the U-46 Educational Foundation Board and has served as President since 2015. Under his leadership, the Board has developed a new strategic plan and recently hired the Foundation’s first full-time coordinator. 

This month, Mr. Wilson’s commitment to enhancing education was recognized by the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA).  Congratulations to the Foundation’s own Mr. Wilson on receiving the Award of Merit in the 2020 Distinguished Service Awards!   

All 2020 Superintendent's Scholarship Winners

A list of all winners can be found here.  Click the students' names to read their bios.

Thank You Wisdom Family Foundation!

The Wisdom Family Foundation is dedicated to empowering children, families, and communities to be their best.  Since 2009, they have awarded over 75 scholarships to a multitude of students who dream of pursuing a college education.  

Often, these students have encountered unique difficulties on their paths to higher education.  Hope Powell, a 2020 scholarship recipient from Larkin High School shared, “So am I the victim or victor of life’s challenges?  I am neither.  I am a student of my life’s challenges.  No matter what, I will always struggle with new hurdles.  After many obstacles, I’ve discerned one skill:  endurance…”  

This year, three deserving U-46 students received scholarships, including Johan De Alba Valencia (pictured above) also from Larkin and Maya Kedzior from South Elgin HS.  The Wisdom Family Foundation will continue to help students fulfill their dreams and reach their full potential.  The U-46 Educational Foundation is grateful for their support of our students.

Thank You KCT!

KCT Credit Union recently gave the U-46 Educational Foundation $2,500 for U-46 students and schools.  But, with social distancing, we had to be a little creative with receiving their donation.   Check out the video above!   

Anyone living or working in the U-46 area can benefit from KCT's low car and home loan rates.   Plus, they are the only place where you can get a Bartlett, Elgin, Larkin, South Elgin, Streamwood High School, or U-46 credit or debit card.  A portion from any purchase made with these cards goes to the U-46 Educational Foundation to benefit all of U-46.  

Thank You Inspired Graphic and Apparel Design!

This local-owned company ran a t-shirt sale this spring with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Foundation and/or specific U-46 schools. In total, the sale brought in over $2,000!!

Rose Manimbo, the store owner, said, "We have children within U-46 and thought it was also important to find a way to contribute."

Thanks again Inspired Graphic and Apparel Design! And thank you to everyone who supported this sale!! Wear those t-shirts with pride!