The Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Foundation is honored to announce six scholarships for Illinois high school seniors graduating in the Class of 2026. In loving memory of Kelli Joy, these scholarships recognize exceptionally caring and compassionate student-athletes who demonstrate kindness and positivity in their communities and have competed in a high school sport for at least three years.
Scholarship Offerings for 2026
We are proud to award six scholarships with a combined value of $56,000 to the Class of 2026.
1. Category 1
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Awards Available: Five (5) scholarships.
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Value: $2,000 per year, renewable for up to 4 years ($8,000 total per student).
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Total Program Value: $40,000.
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Eligibility: Open to Illinois high school seniors.
2. Category 2
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Awards Available: One (1) scholarship (awarded from the pool of Category 1 applicants).
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Value: $4,000 per year, renewable for up to 4 years ($16,000 total).
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Requirements: Requires an interview and proof of financial need based on the Student Aid Report (SAR).
A Legacy of Support and Achievement
Brenda O’Laughlin, co-founder and treasurer of the foundation, shares:
“The KJO Memorial Scholarship has been a beacon of support for many students, enabling them to pursue higher education despite financial constraints. Past recipients have achieved remarkable milestones, including being the first in their families to graduate from college and even attending medical school. We are proud to continue this legacy and welcome more winners into our community, keeping Kelli’s memory alive.”
Since its inception and through the Class of 2025, the KJO Memorial Foundation has proudly awarded 112 scholarships totaling $883,100. These awards provide recipients with the stability to achieve their educational goals, helping students overcome financial challenges, pursue their dreams, and honor Kelli’s compassionate spirit.
Scholarship Requirements
To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Athletic Participation: Participation in high school sports for at least three of four years.
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Essay: Submission of a 500-word essay (details provided on the application form).
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Recommendations: Two recommendation letters from a coach, teacher, or community sponsor.
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For Category 2 (Financial Need) only: Proof of financial need and completion of 50 hours of community service (preferably with the Foundation, though other documented service is accepted).
Application Process
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their applications exclusively through this website. Please note that no other submission methods will be accepted.
Your application must include:
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A 500-word essay.
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Two recommendation letters (submitted separately by your recommenders).
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Proof of financial need (only if applying for Category 2).
Important Dates & Details
Please mark your calendars for these key dates for the Class of 2026:
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Deadline for Student Applications: Friday, February 12, 2026, at 11:00 PM.
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Deadline for Recommendations: Monday, February 16, 2026, at 10:00 PM.
Interview Process (Category 2 Only)
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Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted during the week of March 2, 2026.
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Interviews will be conducted via Zoom (or a similar platform) over the weekend of March 7–8, 2026.
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Please ensure you provide a valid phone number on your application so we can easily reach you.
Renewal Requirements
To renew the scholarship in future years, recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Scholarship Awards
Winners will be announced and scholarships awarded in the Spring of 2026.
We look forward to receiving your submissions and honoring Kelli’s legacy through this year’s class of remarkable students.
