L-W East seniors earn scholarships

   More than $112,600 in academic scholarships plus a Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship were awarded Tuesday (May 21) to 134 Lincoln-Way East High School 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.

   The evening began with a buffet dinner catered by Aurelio’s of Frankfort and sponsored by Old Second Bank, LincolnWay Community Bank and GCA Services Group.

   Lincoln-Way East student guitarist Kailie Gilmore provided the background music during dinner.

   Nearly 700 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 134 seniors who will be receiving recognition and financial support through 171 scholarships presented tonight by 72 families, businesses, and community organizations,” he added.

   Among those honored at the Senior Scholarship Night were the school’s 2013 Valedictorian, Konrad Goc, and Salutatorian, Stephen Johnson.

   Among the 72 businesses, organizations and community members that presented scholarships to students were: Aunt Nancy’s Child Care; the Lincoln-Way East Athletic Boosters; the Frankfort BETA Team; the Kiwanis Club of Frankfort; the Lincoln-Way East Music Boosters; the Frankfort Lions Club; the Lincoln-Way District Hockey Club; Frankfort Boys Baseball; Provisur Technologies; Sarah’s Voice; the Mokena Burros; the Mokena Baseball and Softball Association; Lincoln-Way Teachers; the Mokena Women’s Club; Frankfort School District 157-C; the Frankfort Falcons; Lincoln-Way East Student Council; Immanuel Lutheran Preschool; Curtain Call Community Theatre; the Lincoln-Way Foundation for Educational Excellence; Superdog Obedience Training School; the Frankfort VFW; the Mokena PTA; the Mokena District 159 Educational Foundation; the Mokena Teachers’ Association; Lincoln-Way East Lifeguard; Lincoln-Way Area Business Women’s Organization; Aurelio’s Pizza; Frankfort Women’s Club; Korean War Veterans; the Mokena Kiwanis Key Club; the Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Club; the Frankfort Teachers’ Association; Hedges Clinic; Lincoln-Way Area Chorale; the Mokena Chamber of Commerce; Frankfort Area Jaycees; Frankfort Chamber of Commerce; Frankfort Car Club; Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra; Mokena Lions Club; Frankfort Township Republicans; Frankfort Area Historical Society of Will County; Griffin Times; Frankfort Country Market; Lincoln-Way Xplosion Basketball; and Chick Evans.

   Other scholarships were presented in honor of Dr. Lawrence Wyllie; Patrick Mizwicki; Dennis Murnighan; Tyler Valkema; Richard E. Holman; Ron Kokal; James Hegarty; Carrie Hudek-Chiuso; Stephen Sankowski; Peggy L. Mark; Tommy Fagan Jr.; Kevin Aleck; Paul F. and Charlotte G. Gilmore; John B. Novak; Bijan Sayeed; Jerry McGuire; Ralph Dralle; Della Hussey; Chris Burke; Tom Manheim; Michele Bingham; Martin J. Larson; Robert and Katherine Fredin; Ronald J. Tomczak; and Verlydia and Alvin Harnack.

   “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.”