Pay It Forward: Morton 201 Foundation Celebrates Student Scholars and Community Partners
The Morton 201 Foundation awarded $28,000 in scholarships to 14 students during its annual Pay It Forward Scholarship Luncheon on May 19 at Morton West High School, where students, staff, board members, and sponsors came together to celebrate the next generation of scholars and the community that supports them.
Representing the Town of Cicero was Diana Dominick, Director of the Senior Center and liaison for the Town, attending on behalf of President Larry Dominick. She was joined by Town Clerk Maria Punzo-Arias and Business License Director Ismael Vargas. President Dominick was invited to be recognized for his continued support as a corporate sponsor of the Pay It Forward Foundation.
Seven students from Morton West and seven from Morton East were selected from 31 applicants this year. Each student received a $2,000 scholarship, including one designated culinary scholarship per campus. Since its inception in 2019, the Pay It Forward program has awarded more than $128,000 to 71 Morton District 201 students.
The luncheon also honored Flor Quiroz, a Morton West alumna and recent graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who delivered a heartfelt keynote address. Quiroz, a previous Pay It Forward recipient herself, spoke directly to the graduating students about the emotional and personal challenges of higher education and the power of community.
“Try to see any rejection as a redirection,” she urged. “Look at the glass half full—for real. There’s still so much for you to enjoy. Failure, although hard and heart-wrenching, is not fatal. Look around and see who is there for you during this time. I’m sure any of us would be glad to support you when you feel the earth is swallowing you whole—because I know I would love to be there for you.”
Quiroz reflected on how the Pay It Forward scholarship shaped her college experience, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and mutual support: “That’s again what that Pay It Forward scholarship instills—that sense of paying forward where someone was there for you, and now you want to be there for someone else too.”
She closed with a quote from author John Green: “We are greater than the sum of our parts.” Quiroz added, “You are a collection of your passions, aspirations, experiences, and relationships. There is a part of you greater than the sum of your knowledge, and that part cannot be destroyed.”
Following her remarks, Foundation Board Vice President Jim Goodman commended Quiroz for her achievements and inspiration.
“Flor, you are an incredible young woman and have been a tremendous ambassador and role model for our Pay It Forward Scholarship program,” he said. “When that money is spent, it still cannot be destroyed. It will remind you that you can and will do great things.”
The ceremony also included the presentation of the prestigious $6,000 John F. Polakovic Scholarship, awarded this year to Emily Orduna Cruz, and the 2025 Pay It Forward Awards, which honor individuals and organizations that go above and beyond to support the foundation’s mission.
Superintendent Dr. Tim Truesdale announced the scholarship winners from both campuses and thanked the board’s outgoing members—Truesdale himself, Christopher Blomquist, and Manuel Pacheco—for their years of dedication and innovation.
Pay It Forward scholarship recipients for 2025 from Morton West High School: Mark Dante Albano, Camilia Covalio, Romina Lopez, Kimberly Montenegro, Yadira Padilla and Alexa Zapata, our culinary scholarship recipient from Morton West is Kevin Moreno.
Pay It Forward scholarship recipients for 2025 from Morton East High School: Alexis Avalos.
Mathias Cuesta, Giovanni Fausto, Alexis Garcia, Ireanna Gonzalez, Mariella Gallegos, and Eric Gutierrez.
In addition to scholarships, the Foundation recognized community partners who helped raise more than $118,000 over four years through online auctions and fundraisers. Honorees included local restaurants Las Brazas, El Taconazo, El Campestre, and La Lupita; and the Michael P. Gordon Memorial Foundation, which has supported scholarships in memory of Officer Michael Gordon, a Morton West alum and fallen Chicago Police officer.
As the event concluded with group photos and final congratulations, the spirit of the afternoon remained clear: investment in students, through scholarships, mentorship, or simply showing up, has a lasting impact.
The Foundation is now accepting applications for new board members.
© 2015 by The Town of Cicero
