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Health & Fitness

L-W East Seniors Earn Scholarships

Nearly $100,000 in academic scholarships were awarded Tuesday (May 5) to 112 Lincoln-Way East High School seniors.

Nearly $100,000 in academic scholarships were awarded Tuesday (May 5) to 112 seniors.

The scholarships, which were offered by community members, organizations and businesses, were presented during a Scholarship Awards Night ceremony at the school.

“The generosity of those represented helps our students understand the importance of giving back to others and their community,” stated Dr. Scott Tingley, principal of Lincoln-Way East.

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The evening began with a buffet dinner catered by Enrico’s Italian Dining and sponsored by Old Second Bank, LincolnWay Community Bank and GCA Services Group.

The Lincoln-Way East jazz ensemble, comprised of Paul Loeffel on trumpet, Emma Hansen on alto sax, Steve Johnson on trombone, Scott Mitchell on guitar, Kailie Gilmore on bass and Kurt Kezon on drums,  provided the background music during dinner.

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More than 600 people attended the event.

“Senior Scholarship Night is a Lincoln-Way tradition that gives us the opportunity to recognize these outstanding seniors who have distinguished themselves through scholarship and service,” said Tingley.

“Seated on stage are 112 seniors who will be receiving recognition and financial support through 147 scholarships presented tonight by 70 families, businesses, and community organizations,” he added.

Among those honored at the Senior Scholarship Night were the school’s 2012 valedictorian, Xue (Shirley) Zhan; salutatorian, Jessica Meaux; National Merit Finalist Xue (Shirley) Zhan; National Merit Commended Scholars Steven Adamitus, Regan Brown, Katherine Garbaciak, Thomas Kadela, Courtney Marin, Andrea Rogers and Nicholas Schreiner; and National Achievement Scholarship Program Outstanding Participant, Masayoshi Haynie.

Among the 70 businesses, organizations and community members that presented scholarships to students were: the Connecticut Hills Homeowners Association, the Mokena Lions Club, Mokena Kiwanis, Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Club, Scholarship America, Frankfort Women’s Club, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Mokena Chamber of Commerce, Korean War Veterans, Lincoln-Way Teachers, Frankfort Teachers’ Association, Lincoln-Way East Student Council, Mokena Women’s Club, Lincoln-Way Area Chorale, Aurelio’s Pizza, Mokena PTA, Lincoln-Way Area Business Women’s Organization, Mokena District 159 Educational Foundation, Frankfort Falcons Football and Youth Athletic Association, Superdog Obedience Training School, Griffin Times, Mokena Burros, Lincoln-Way Foundation, Frankfort Area Jaycees, Aunt Nancy’s Childcare, Mike’s Furniture, Lincoln-Way East Hockey Club, Frankfort School District 157C,  Frankfort Area Historical Society of Will County, Frankfort BETA Team, Frankfort Car Club, Lincoln-Way East Athletic Booster Club, Provisur Technologies, Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, Zonta Club of Joliet Area, Hedges Clinic, Mokena Baseball and Softball Association, Frankfort Baseball, Immanuel Lutheran Preschool, Lincoln-Way East Music Boosters,  Frankfort Lions Club and Frankfort Township Republicans,

Other scholarships were presented in honor of Carrie Hudek-Chiuso, Martin Larson, Della Hussey, Jerry McGuire, The Reverend and Mrs. Louis Teague, Kevin Aleck, Paul and Charlotte Gilmore, Bijan Sayeed,  Tommy Fagan Jr., Richard Holman, John Novak, Ralph Dralle, Dennis Murnighan, Tom Manheim, Stephen Sankowski, Peggy Mark, Klaus Lichtenfeld, Dr. Lawrence Wyllie, Michele Bingham, Sarah Filosa, Robert and Katherine Fredin, Ron Kokal, James Hegarty, Tyler Valkema, Verlydia and Alvin Harnack and Patrick Mizwicki. 

“Our students are very fortunate to benefit from the generosity of our communities,” said Michele Newswander, Pupil Personnel Services Director for Lincoln-Way East. “We are grateful of this opportunity as a learning community to recognize our outstanding seniors.”

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