Great Chefs gather to raise funds for Proviso scholars – Forest Park Review
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Forest Park Review
A hyperlocal news site committed to in-depth reporting on issues concerning Forest Park, Illinois.
The annual Great Chefs event for the 209 Scholarship fund was held at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 73 Union Hall in Hillside last Thursday. The theme “Educated Guest” celebrated the work of student scholars and featured 10 Forest Park restaurants including Jimmy’s Place, NRebozo, Twisted Cookie, Submarine Tender, Habrae Thai Café & Eatery and Rhythm and Blues Café.
The 209 Scholarship was founded in 2021 to honor, recognize and provide scholarship opportunities to help students from Proviso Township achieve their educational or technical dreams beyond high school.
The event is the premiere fundraiser for the scholarships, board member Jeremy Horn said. “The goal for this night is to raise $20,000 and this money will go directly, I repeat, directly, to the seniors graduating from Proviso East in Maywood, Proviso West in Hillside or PMSA in Forest Park,” for the 2026 scholarships.
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The event not only featured great food, many community leaders were present. “Local celebrity bartenders” included April Baker, a local realtor; Jenny Barbahen, District 209 school board president; Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins; John Lyons, a District 91 school board member and Forest Park Commissioner Maria Maxham. Tara Stamps, 1st District Cook County Commissioner; April Senase, Proviso West Trades, STEM and Manufacturing Teacher and Noelle Robinson were speakers who spoke passionately on supporting students and community.
Noelle Roinson, Proviso East Lady Pirates basketball coach and author, shared the keynote address and challenged students in the room to “show up for yourself, even when it is hard,” and reminded adults that “mentorship matters.” She said that we can all be Educated Guests, because “every room you walk into you have the power to influence it – with your presence, your words and your example.”
The 209 Scholarship has awarded nearly 50 Proviso students’ scholarships and renewal scholarships to support the young scholars. Through the generosity of the businesses, individuals and work of the committee, the 209 Scholarships include the Overcoming Adversity honor which awards students with GPA at least 2.0 and academic improvement over time with determination to succeed and Persistence Pays which is awarded to students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher with consistent academic excellence both academically and in extracurricular activities.
“These students want an opportunity not just to better themselves but to inspire their families. We have to invest in these schools and love in these schools and when you do that amazing things can happen,” said Horn.
Every year at least nine new scholarships are awarded, three for each school, recognizing the resilience and determination to build a successful adult. The energy and spirit of the night is summed up by Horn, “This right here, giving these scholarships to the next generation is really what I am passionate about. When the community is with students 100% amazing things can happen.”
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