The Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Foundation is proud to introduce our 2026 scholarship recipient from Nazareth Academy, Elena Garcia. Our selection committee was unanimous in choosing Elena, struck by a rare sense of self that honors her roots while looking boldly toward her future.
Carrying the “Helper” Spirit
At the heart of our mission is keeping Kelli’s light bright by finding students who share her “helper” spirit—those who notice the person on the sidelines and make it their mission to bring them into the heart of the group. Elena is a bridge-builder who leads with that exact same heart. Whether she is advocating for freshmen or volunteering in the community, she understands that real leadership is about taking responsibility for the people around you.
Honoring a 121-Year Legacy
In a rapidly changing world, Elena represents a beautiful connection to the past. She is the fifth generation of her family to live in the same apartment building in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood—a home that has stood in her family for 121 years. This deep-rooted history has served as the foundation for her values of loyalty and community, giving her a maturity well beyond her years.
Leadership in Action at Nazareth
Remembering how it felt to enter high school as the only student from her middle school, Elena dedicated herself to ensuring no other freshman felt that same anxiety. She has become a vital mentor at Nazareth Academy, turning her own experience into a roadmap for others.
✨ Operation Snowball: Facilitating vital conversations about mental and physical well-being.
✨ LatiNaz: Creating a safe space to celebrate and honor Latiné and Hispanic culture on campus.
✨ Athletics: Bringing her discipline and team-first attitude to the softball field as both a catcher and outfielder.
A Compassionate Path Forward
A legacy of service: Elena with her mother at Nazareth Academy.
Elena’s commitment to service reaches far beyond the school gates, from assisting families at the Pilsen Food Pantry to learning about strategic philanthropy with Young Community Change Makers. This path of service was modeled for her at home by her parents, both dedicated educators. In 2022, her mother was recognized with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching—a standard of excellence Elena clearly carries with her today.
Growing up with that example, Elena understands that real leadership is about taking responsibility for the people around you and leaving a community better than you found it.
Investing in the Future
As Elena prepares to head to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this fall, the Foundation is proud to support her journey. We are providing $4,000 per year—a total award of **$16,000** over four years—to help her continue building bridges and uplifting everyone around her.
Congratulations, Elena! We are honored to welcome you into the KJO family.
The heart of the Group: Elena’s multi-generational family provided the foundation for her success. John O’Laughlin noted, “Her parents model service, her grandparents create the community. This powerful, close-knit family environment is exactly why Elena is a bridge-builder. I am certain this extended family is the reason she is the wonderful person she is today. Look at those smiles—that’s what a foundation of love looks like.”
