Scholarships

The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club presented eight scholarships to local students during the Club’s 18th annual education awards ceremony March 23.
Receiving this year’s two $1,000 Fine Arts scholarships were Michael Hernandez and Thomas Cannan.
Hernandez won in the category of drawing. He ranks in the top 10 percent of his class at Downers Grove South High School, with four years of exceptional classroom work as well as unique artistic skills. His goal is to attend the American Academy of Art to obtain a degree in illustration, and his long-term goal is to be a professional cartoonist.
Cannan, who has extensive experience in acting, singing, dancing and directing at Downers Grove North, won in the category of theater and music. Over the past six years, he has performed in at least 17 school plays and several theater group productions, directed four theater performances, and received top honors for his vocal recitals at the district and state levels. He plans to pursue a degree in musical theater at Shenandoah University in Virginia.
David Conrad and Maria Burn received the $500 Special Services scholarships; one is designated for a student at Downers Grove North, and one for a student at Downers Grove South. They are selected by the high school department chairs and teachers.
Conrad was praised for his positive attitude, kindness, cooperative spirit, and determination. He has participated in Young Statesmen and Young Republicans, and has been on the swim team all four years. He would like to teach social studies, and plans to attend College of DuPage this fall.
Burn has completed challenging courses such as AP English and AP Political Science and has been actively involved in a variety of extracurricular activities at North, including Link Crew, North Theater make-up crew, choir, class board, homecoming committee, DARE, speech team, and pro-life group. She plans to attend either DePaul, Loyola or UIC, then move on to study Law.
Kristen Bennett received a $1,000 scholarship to Technology Center of Dupage. She is a senior at South, and is enrolled in the Certified Nursing Assistant Program at TCD. In addition to her academic excellence, she is involved in the Horn Ensemble, Winter Color Guard, and Wind Ensemble. She also volunteers in the school’s art department, and at Loyola Hospital. She plans to attend Loyola’s nursing program in the fall.
Senior achievement scholarships in the amount of $1,250 each were awarded to District 99 seniors based on their grades, school activities, community service, volunteer service, recommendations and personal statement. This year’s scholarships went to Kelly Seranko and Catie Krygeris.
Kelly Seranko has participated for four years in activities including South’s IHSA speech team, currently as president; Masque and Gavel for four years, acting and directing; badminton; National Honor Society; and Rush Corps. Community service projects include four years as a volunteer teacher and VBS teacher at St. Mary of Gostyn; speech office aide; Relay for Life captain and participant; four years as student director for the freshman DGS play and Mustang Mad Dash leader. She plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering.
Catie Krygeris has participated in four years of choir board at North, currently as president; four years of soccer; four years of class board; four years of varsity vocal ensembles; and two years each on Link Crew as a DARE lock-in leader and the Improve Team. Community service projects include four years as a PADS volunteer through her church; four years working with the Giving Tree; and working with the Crop Walk and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Her college goals include double-majoring in environmental studies/pre-engineering and vocal performance, and she hopes to work for the Peace Corps after college.
The Junior Woman’s Club presented its first-ever $1,500 Junior Alumni Scholarship, for an individual associated with or recommended by a Club member, to Jodi Hoppensteadt. She is the mother of a seven-year-old son who was diagnosed with a severe, life-threatening food allergy. In an effort to educate herself and others, Jodi has been actively involved in a variety of support groups, and her goal is to be a registered dietician. She is currently enrolled at College of DuPage, and will transfer to Northern Illinois to earn her degree in nutrition.

  Please visit this page in January 2011 for next year's Scholarship opportunities.

High School Senior Achievement Scholarships - The DGJWC offers Senior Scholarships for high school seniors. Applications are reviewed by members of the DGJWC Education Committee and judged on the completion of the application. The content of these applications are kept confidential. The decision of the Education Committee is final. All scholarship funds are sent directly to the college or university and are applied according to its rules and regulations.

High School Senior Fine Arts Scholarship - The DGJWC offers one Fine Arts Scholarships for high school seniors. Applications are reviewed by members of the DGJWC Education Committee and judged on the completion of the application. The content of these applications are kept confidential. The decision of the Education Committee is final. All scholarship funds are sent directly to the college or university and are applied according to its rules and regulations.

Alumni Education Scholarship - Applicant must obtain a letter of recommendation from a current or former Downers Grove Junior Women’s Club member.  The recipient of this scholarship must be attending an accredited university currently, or enrolling in the fall 2010 semester.  These funds are to help aid in educational and career goals.

General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs 2010 Scholarships are:

Scholarship requirements are on the applications. Students submitting applications must be students at a State of Illinois School and are planning on attending a college or university in the State of Illinois. Students interested in the Cultural Exchange Scholarship must be attending a State of Illinois high school. Applications must be submitted through a GFWC Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs member club.