We awarded a KJO Memorial Scholarship of 2022 to Emma Newman of LTHS.
The value of this scholarship is $1,800 annually, renewable for 4 years. All recipients must maintain a B average in college.
As shown above, pictured next to Mr. O’Laughlin, Emma received the KJO Memorial Scholarship at the LTHS evening awards ceremony
Emma will attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall.
Sports and Activities in High School:
Emma was a four-year member of the Lacrosse Team, LTHS Spirit Cheerleading (winter), Girls in Engineering, Math, & Science (GEMS), and Orchestra. In college, she plans to study computer science, hopefully with a focus on ethics & technology. Emma also hopes to continue playing violin in a chamber orchestra and join a club or intramural lacrosse team.
Highlights from the Essay:
From Emma’s essay: “When my first-grade teacher asked me what I wanted to learn about on the first day of school, I proudly replied “I want to learn mathematics.” And yes, six-year-old me really said “mathematics,” not math. At a young age, I developed a love for anything there was to do with numbers– whether it was the 100-question timed multiplication tests or sitting at my grandparents’ kitchen table filling out sudoku puzzles in the Sunday paper. For a long time though, I never considered what I could do with this love beyond the classroom. It wasn’t until 8th grade when my older cousin convinced me to attend “Introduce a Girl to STEM Day” at LT, that I realized what my future might hold.”
The event was organized by the GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, & Science) club, a group dedicated to bringing together girls interested in STEM and providing them with meaningful,
hands-on experiences. It was there that I learned how my math skills could translate to a real-world profession, like an engineer or a doctor or a computer programmer, and how I could
use my natural strengths to create things that would change others’ lives for the better. Perhaps more importantly though, I felt welcomed and empowered by the strong community of young
women, and this was a feeling I wanted to be able to share with other young girls who felt like I once did.”
We heartily welcome Emma to the family of KJO Memorial Scholars! Congratulations Emma!
We awarded a KJO Memorial Scholarship of 2022 to Aubrey Decker of LTHS.
The value of this scholarship is $1,800 annually, renewable for 4 years. All recipients must maintain a B average in college.
As shown above, pictured next to Mrs. O’Laughlin, Aubrey received the KJO Memorial Scholarship at the LTHS evening awards ceremony
Aubrey will attend the University of Maryland in the fall.
Sports and Activities in High School:
Here is a wonderful introduction from one of her recommendations: “Aubrey is able to manage her time well to be successful in many areas in addition to her outstanding academic transcripts. Aubrey is a leader and four-year Varsity member of the Women’s Lacrosse Team. She coaches and mentors younger lacrosse players at East Ave, a premier league in Illinois and one of the top leagues in the Midwest. Furthermore, Aubrey volunteers on a regular basis with M.A.S.K., Mothers Against Senseless Killings, which is a group in the inner-city of Chicago dedicated to reducing violence and supporting the community. In addition to her volunteer work, excellence in the classroom, and leadership on the lacrosse field, Aubrey is a talented writer; her work has been published in our school’s Literary Magazine, Menagerie, which has been recognized as one of the best literary magazines in the country. I believe that her compassion for others, talent, and leadership skills are assets that set Aubrey apart from other students.”
Highlights from the Recommendations:
I had the honor of having Aubrey as a student in English I Honors where she constantly displayed a positive attitude, passionately pursued her interests, and expressed a desire to improve
her skills. Without exception, she is one of the most passionate, team-oriented, determined, and respectful young women I have had the delight of teaching. a project freshman year, students were able to pick a personal goal; while most students picked interesting and fun goals about swimming faster, cooking a five-course meal, or learning to play guitar, Aubrey’s goal was to raise funds for Healing Hearts for Ashley, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and supporting research for inherited heart rhythm diseases. Ashley was Aubrey’s 6th-grade math teacher, and she wanted to honor her through this project. In five years of teaching this project, no other student set a goal that was for the benefit of someone else the way that Aubrey did in 2019.”
We heartily welcome Aubrey to the family of KJO Memorial Scholars! Congratulations Aubrey!
We awarded a KJO Memorial Scholarship of 2022 to Adrian Gonzalez of LTHS.
The value of this scholarship is $2,500 annually, renewable for 4 years. All recipients must maintain a B average in college.
As shown above, in the middle of the picture, Adrian received the KJO Memorial Scholarship at the LTHS evening awards ceremony
Adrian will attend Syracuse University in the fall.
Sports and Activities in High School:
Adrian played soccer for four years. Here is his introduction to his scholarship application. “As a Mexican-American, I’ve had the privilege of having access to both cultures to build the foundation of my interests. One of my passions is self-expression. Whether it be through art, music, or film, I enjoy being able to decipher the unique poetry that links all of these mediums together and find their connection to everyday life. Apart from art, criminal justice has been a pivotal part of my life. I find it extremely valuable to not only bring justice to those who’ve been harmed but to also understand the people behind crimes. Growing up with a prosecutor as a mom, I saw the relief that she brought to mourning families who’ve been affected by the criminals that commit such heinous crimes. While I did not have the privilege to know Kelli, my brother shared that she was his first friend who welcomed him as a transfer student at Highlands. Hearing the tragic news of Kelli’s murder, further solidified my desire to pursue a career in law to fight for victims of crime.”
Highlights from the Essay:
In freshman year, my Muslim friend had told me that just by being Middle-Eastern, she was being bullied and judged. Growing up as the only Latino representation in school, I knew how she felt. … I was able to envelop myself in the neglected beauty of the Middle East. From looking for authentic restaurants and listening to popular artists at school, to getting caught up with current events and researching the many unique traditions, I felt like I was ready to surprise my friend. During class, I would hum the tune of an extremely popular Egyptian song and I immediately saw her ears perk up. …When she confronted me, I told her that I had educated myself about Syria and I enjoyed every second of the adventure. Being a member of the Latinx community, I understand how it feels to be alone in withstanding the stereotyping and the judgment. Comparing the gray, dejected face and body language to the vibrant, beaming smile in front of me, I knew I was able to make my friend feel seen and accepted for who she was.
We heartily welcome Adrian to the family of KJO Memorial Scholars! Congratulations Adrian!
We awarded a KJO Memorial Scholarship of 2022 to Graeme Gantt of LTHS.
The value of this scholarship is $2,500 annually, renewable for 4 years. All recipients must maintain a B average in college.
Graeme received the KJO Memorial Scholarship via a Zoom call because he was at an IHSA Water Polo match the evening of the LTHS awards ceremony.
Graeme will attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville in the fall.
Sports and Activities in High School:
Meet Graeme in his own words: “I live with my mom and three brothers in the LT school district and have lived here my whole life. My grandparents, aunt, uncle & cousins also live here. I loved growing up in Western Springs where I could ride my bike to see my family or go to the library, the pool, or the tennis courts. Since I was homeschooled until I started high school at LT, I got to pursue a lot of things like learning Chinese, going to the Art Institute every week, and taking lunches to Beds Plus monthly. I also did scouts, starting as a Tiger Scout and working my way up to earning my Eagle rank this past year. I tried lots of sports: rugby, tennis, lacrosse, track and field, water polo, swimming, and even dance, but what I came to love most was swimming.”
Highlights from the Essay:
In my youth group, I am often called upon to teach games, stories, and life skills to children in my vacation bible school groups and Sunday schools. In my sophomore year, I got to
travel to Uganda to spend time working in a pop-up health clinic, helping residents of the Mulago-Kalerwe slum community receive the medical attention that they needed and could not
afford. As part of a team that served over 1,500 people in five days, I spent most of my time working in the pharmacy area of the camp giving medicine to sick people. Although it was a
hard position to tackle, I learned about how different medicines affect people who are sick, how to find and distribute the correct medicines, and ultimately got to help reorganize the system for
a more efficient process. Overall, I learned that boldness, kindness, and a little hard work can make such a big difference in someone else’s life, and I enjoyed giving my time to help those in
need.
Highlights from the Recommendations:
We ask the people doing the recommendation to provide us with three words that describe the student and why they choose them. Here are two from the same person.
Outgoing – Graeme can talk to just about anyone and about nearly anything. I do not think he has a mean or cruel bone in his body- he is friendly and pleasant with everyone and every age, and never has a bad word to say about anyone. He is incredibly inclusive and is unafraid to approach you if he feels someone is being excluded.
Caring – Working hand in hand with being outgoing, Graeme is very good about including everyone and putting the team first, while having the empathy to recognize that each member of the team is also an individual. Whether it is in the weight room, ensuring that his younger peers have someone to work with, or on a travel trip inviting others to a conversation or a table for a meal, Graeme demonstrates true and earnest care about those around him.
We enthusiastically welcome Graeme to the family of KJO Memorial Scholars! Congratulations Graeme!
