Kankakee Times

Recent high school graduates from Buffalo Grove to Normal to Equality in Illinois, as well as two out-of-state communities, will be able to attend college thanks in part to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) scholarships.

DCFS recently honored 53 incoming college freshmen at the Alhambra Palace in Chicago along with their families, government officials and speakers. The 53 scholarship winners were culled from approximately 300 entrants and selected based on criteria that included essays, community activity and academic achievement. Rodney Walker, an author and businessman who grew up in foster care on Chicago’s South Side, served as guest speaker.

“This time of year is for graduation ceremonies and celebrations, and our youth in care are no different,” DCFS Director George Sheldon said at the afternoon event. “I would like to congratulate the scholarship recipients for their accomplishments. I am extremely proud of our recent graduates and current students continuing higher education.”

DCFS offers at least 53 scholarships annually, including four allotted to children of veterans. Recipients receive up to five years’ worth of financial support for tuition and expenses to be used at participating Illinois colleges and universities.

This year’s scholarship recipients hail from the Illinois communities of Algonquin, Ashland, Auburn, Batavia, Berkeley, Bloomington, Broadview, Buffalo Grove, Carbondale, Chicago, Chicago Ridge, Colona, Creve Cour, Decatur, Dolton, Edinburg, Equality, Fairfield, Fouder, Glen Carbon, Gurnee, Hanover Park, Herrin, Highland, Highland Park, Irvington, Litchfield, Long Grove, Matteson, Naperville, New Lenox, Normal, Northbrook, Oak Park, O’Fallon, Onarga, Patoka, Rochelle, Rushville, St. Charles, Seaton, Tinley Park and White Hall; and from Apex, North Carolina, and Davenport, Iowa.

“It is a great honor to recognize these scholars for their character, extracurricular activities, and academic achievements,” Tiffany Gholson, associate deputy director in the DCFS Office of Education and Transition Services, said. “I encourage all of our youth to plan for their future, develop unique dreams and talents and choose to be lifelong learners. This is not only a proud moment for the recipients and their families, but for the Department of Children and Family Services as well.”