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Wednesday Journal
A hyperlocal news site committed to in-depth reporting on issues concerning Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois.
The Oak Park and River Forest High School Scholarship Foundation’s Donor Reception was once again a moving celebration of student achievement and the incredible community support that makes it all possible. This year, the foundation proudly awarded 98 scholarships totaling $287,900 — an increase of over $65,000 from the previous year. The event brought together students, parents, faculty, staff, donors, and board members to honor a shared commitment to educational opportunity and success.
The evening’s highlights included James Keleher, president of the Scholarship Foundation introducing several new scholarships, each reflecting the values and generosity of those who made them possible:
● The Dr. Robert and Dorothy Brewer Scholarship recognizes a graduate who uplifts others and approaches both academics and life with respect, joy, and hard work.
● The Lois Goldstein Memorial Scholarship Fund honors a beloved math teacher and lifelong environmental advocate.
● The Andrew Hagins Memorial Scholarship celebrates an OPRF varsity baseball player remembered for humility, leadership, and integrity.
● The Jean A. Follett Performing Arts Scholarship supports students passionate about the performing arts, whether on stage or behind the scenes.
● The Seabury Foundation First Generation to College Scholarship empowers students whose parents did not attend college, honoring the courage to forge a new path.
Additionally, the longstanding Charles N. “Laddie” Follett, Robert Follett, Garth Follett, and Dwight Follett Memorial Scholarships were expanded this year to support two students each, thanks to the enduring generosity of the Follett Educational Foundation.
This year’s celebration also marked another exciting milestone — the launch of the Scholarship Foundation’s newly redesigned website, created by Carolyn Schiffner of CMS Design, a longstanding partner of the foundation.
Each scholarship awarded is more than just financial support — it is a vote of confidence in the dreams, talents, and futures of our students.
2025 scholarship recipients:
“LLKA” Scholarship in Honor of Andrew Cheeks: Kemaria Freeman
Andrew Hagins Memorial Scholarship: George Holland
Ann R. Monaco Music Scholarship: Jude Peterson
Anne P. Bekermeier Scholarship: Joseph Egan
Applause! Performing Arts Scholarship: Clara Frantzen
Ariel Follett O’Hara ‘55 Family Scholarship: Kemaria Freeman
Barbara Amsden Braun Donohue Scholarship: Vincent Czarnkowski
Brenda Schnede Grusecki Legacy Scholarship: Beatrice Sjostrom
Carl R. Krafft – Speech/Dance/TV Scholarships: Anna Bullock
Carl R. Krafft Fine Arts Scholarships: Ruby Drexler, Inidgo Field, Olive Merrill
Carl R. Krafft music Scholarships: Emily Churchouse
Carol Shields Memorial Scholarship: Alexander Gossett
Catherine Deam Memorial Scholarship: Sophia Lynn
Charles N. “Laddie” Follett Memorial Scholarship: Nora Meraz, Zoie Segbawu
Chris Colin Piecha Memorial Scholarship: Miriam Goyette
Class of 1940 Writing Award: Alana Gerona
Don Deia “Heart of the Plate” Scholarship: Sofia Ayala
Dr. Alexander M. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship: Lyla Gerona
Dr. Bert Beverly Memorial Scholarship: Scott River
Dr. Gerald L. Clay Scholarship: Isiah Thomas
Dr. Robert and Dorothy Brewer Scholarship: Mayan Alwaeli
Dwight Follett Memorial Scholarship: Alexander Gossett, Caroline Vietzen
Follett Educational Foundation Take the First Step Scholarships, in Memory of Alison E. O’Hara, JD, OPRF ‘81; “Take the First Step”: Simon Bade-Nguyen, Iris Keane,Mia Mendoza
Follett Educational Foundation Take the First Step Scholarships, in Memory of Alison E. O’Hara, JD, OPRF ‘81; Scholarship Vocational Studies: Jasmine Ford, Mark Marcondes
Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest Scholarship: Helena Booth, Connor Czerniawski, Blake Mcclarin
Garth Follett Memorial Scholarship: Isabel Stickney, Duke Walsh
Gary F. Olson Scholarship: Cooper Janning
Georg Ann Zussman-Amato Memorial Scholarship for Women in Science: Jessica Li
Gerald L. Greer History Scholarship: Charlotte Ainsworth, Calum Macadam,
Hotchkiss Memorial Scholarship: Sofia Ayala, Anna Ruess, Sasha Sieck
Ishma Stewart Memorial Scholarship: Amelia Porterfield
Jack Tavolacci Memorial Scholarship: Sonja Emerson
Jean A. Follett Performing Arts Scholarship: Jude Peterson
Josh Davis Memorial Scholarship: Blake Mcclarin
Kate Long Marchetti Scholarship: Deshon Press, Amaree Smith
Lois Goldstein Memorial Scholarship Fund: Jessica Li
Louise Hay Math Scholarship: Rachel Kralik, Jessica Li, Jane Pearson, Rachel Sang, Paloma Turner
Lt. Patrick J. Luby Memorial Scholarship: Daniella Horna-Baxter, Genevieve Simkowski
Michael A. Campbell Memorial Scholarship: Kaleiyah Henderson, Jude Peterson
Miller, Cooke, Wood Theatre Scholarship: William Cote
Nell Behr Aquatics Scholarship: Meredith Steinman
Oak Park Bank Scholarship: Andrew Garcia
Offerman Excellence in English Scholarship: Blaire Brown
OPRFHS Retirees – Dooper Scholarship: Isabel Stickney, Duke Walsh
OPRFHS Scholarship Foundation Directors Scholarship: Quincy Chen-Marusich, Emerson Nunes
OPUS Alumni Association Scholarship: Clara Frantzen
Peter Quinn Swimming & Diving Award: Will Keyes, Jane Pearson
R.J. Mike Nielsen Scholarship: Lauren Gullo
Richard Daniel Memorial Scholarship (Orchestra): Ivy Loentz
Robert Follett Memorial Scholarship: Jessica Li, Jasmine Shirley
Robert Gauger Memorial Scholarship: Nora Butterly
Roberta L. Raymond Mathematics Scholarship: Sadie Collins, Brenden Lowenthal-Wojcik, Isiah Thomas
Roberta L. Raymond Scholarship: Caleb Bowman
Seabury Foundation First Generation to College Scholarship: Sofia Contreras, Jaela May, Jasmine Shirley
Seabury Foundation Scholarship: Sadie Collins, John D’Agostino, Isiah Thomas, Caroline Vietzen
Smith/Gorman Smith Model UN Scholarships: Ava Fisher
Terri Race Educational Technology: Kenneth Lugo, Lily Zinthefer
Thomas Ferguson Memorial Scholarship: Bennett Parker
Thomas O. Miyata Scholarship: Rute Fikadu, Brenden Lowenthal-Wojcik, Amarie Pillado, Zoie Segbawu, Andre Stanton,
Tony Trofimuk Scholarship: Anna Breuer
Tuesday Night Hoops – Stephen A. Henry Scholarship: Zoie Segbawu
Virginia Moe Award Scholarship: Connor Czerniawski,
Willa Schaffer Memorial Scholarship: Iris Keane
Christine Baissac
OPRF High School Scholarship Foundation
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