Scholarships

In partnership with businesses, community members, and families, Effingham Unit 40 Education Foundation offers numerous scholarships to EHS graduating seniors continuing their education.  Candidates will be given greater consideration if they have demonstrated a B average or above, with specific GPA requirements noted on some scholarships.  Consideration may also be given to chosen field of study, community service, extra-curricular activities, and potential financial need.  Foundation scholarships will be applied towards tuition and fees.

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2019 Scholarship Recipients

photo credit: Loker Photography

 Bill and Julie Fritcher Scholarship – The Effingham Unit #40 Educational Foundation is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior who wishes to continue his or her education in the field of Education or Social Services. Russ and Shari Marvel started this scholarship as a thank you to William and Julie Fritcher for their contributions in education, Julie as a school counselor and Bill for his years of dedicated service to Unit #40. In addition, Bill was instrumental in the establishment and growth of the Unit 40 Educational Foundation.

Chris Donaldson Memorial Scholarships – Chris Donaldson graduated from EHS in 1995 where he played football and baseball.  His family attributes his leadership skills, which served him well in the Army, to have been developed through football.  Chris was a Chief Warrant Officer 2 in the U.S. Army serving with the 10^th Mountain Division.  He was killed on May 5, 2006, in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.  Students applying for this $750 scholarship can be planning their education in any field of study.

Civil Design Inc – Civil Giving Scholarship – Civil Design is a female-owned Civil Engineering Firm with offices in St. Louis, Missouri; Effingham, Illinois; and Louisville, Kentucky.  Civil Design Inc. is offering a $500 scholarship to a female Effingham High School senior who wishes to continue her education in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) related field.  Civil Giving Fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation, Civil Design Inc.’s charitable branch, awards this scholarship as a recognition and appreciation of the many women leaders in STEM fields.

Clyde Oberlin Memorial Scholarship – The Clyde Oberlin family is offering a $1,000 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior who wishes to continue his or her education in the graphic arts, business, or information technology fields. Clyde Oberlin moved to the Effingham community in the early 1970s. He was instrumental in bringing the World Color Press plant to Effingham and was an inspiration for corporate citizenry and civic leadership. Upon his death in 1997, his wife Charlene determined the best way to keep his civic spirit alive was to create scholarships for college bound students. This scholarship is separate from the Oberlin Scholarships offered through Midland States Bank and will take into consideration academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community service.

Dan King Memorial Scholarship – This $500 scholarship is in honor of Daniel J. King, given by his family.  Dan graduated as Valedictorian from Carmel High School, Carmel, Indiana, and considered himself a life-long learner.  As a long-time member of the Effingham community, Dan was very active in volunteer work – especially programs involving young people.  He was an 8^th grade Sunday School teacher and Youth program coordinator at his church for 25 years, including leading youth on 15 mission trips to Appalachia.  A proud Eagle Scout, he was a member of the Lincoln Trails Boy Scout Council Board of Directors and played an active role in the troops at the local level.  Dan was a past member of the board for United Way of Effingham County.  He helped the EHS Band Boosters grow their cook-out fundraiser from the occasional football game to a standing tradition of the EHS football season with a permanent structure.  The successful applicant needs to demonstrate a high academic standard and a strong commitment to volunteerism.  Criteria to be considered include a minimum GPA of 3.5, any course of study at a four-year university, and more than one type of volunteer experience-at least one of which is with a youth-oriented group (church, Scouts, sports, etc.).

Dan Hecht Business Scholarship –  Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota, Inc. is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior who wishes to continue his or her education in the field of Business.

Debolt Enterprises, Inc./Culver’s of Effingham – Debolt Enterprises, Inc./Culver’s of Effingham is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior going on to further his or her education in any field of study.

The Dr. John S. Long Foreign Language Scholarship – Dr. John S. Long, a retired Chicago physician, established a $500 scholarship to honor his daughter Tracy (Long) Tuman.  Mrs. Tuman retired in 2011 from teaching at Effingham High School. She taught Spanish for 32 years in central Illinois, with twenty-five of those years at Effingham High School.  The applicant for this scholarship should be a senior who has studied Spanish for at least three years.  The applicant should plan on continuing the study of Spanish as a major in a four-year college or university.  Preference will be given to an applicant who has shown an academic strength in the language (3.0 GPA in the high school language courses) and who has demonstrated an interest in the language by volunteering or participating in a community service in which his / her background in Spanish was useful.

Dr. P.D.L. & Chitra Nayak Scholarship – Dr. P.D.L. and Chitra Nayak are offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior going on to further his or her education in any field of study.

Effingham JFL Scholarship – The Effingham JFL is sponsoring a $500 scholarship to an EHS senior who wishes to continue his or her education.  Applicants must have participated in JFL football or cheerleading for at least 2 years and also participated in the high school program.

Generous Heart Scholarship – An anonymous donor is awarding multiple scholarships to Effingham High School seniors who wish to continue their education in any field of study.

Jack Klosterman Memorial Scholarship – The family of Jack Klosterman is offering a $500 scholarship with preference given to EHS graduates who have played football.  Growing up, Jack was an outstanding athlete in both basketball and football.  He translated his love of sports into an outstanding coaching career.  Jack was the EHS football coach from 1946 until his retirement in 1980.  His overall coaching record was 198-63-8 in thirty-one years, including 9 conference titles, 6 undefeated seasons, and 2 playoff appearances. He was honored twice with being named Coach of the Year by the Decatur Herald & Review, was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches’ Hall of Fame, and honored with the naming of EHS’s football field as Klosterman Field.

Justin Chesnut Memorial General Studies Scholarship – This $500 scholarship is given in memory of Justin Chesnut, a Valedictorian of the EHS Class of 2002.  He graduated from Greenville College in 2007, magna cum laude, with majors in Business Management and Social work.  While attending Greenville College, Justin earned the Wall Street Journal Award, and placed twice in the Business Management competition at the National Professional Business Leaders Conference.  He was a giving person, volunteering in faith-based and community activities, including church and the Cross Foundation, and sponsoring a child overseas through Compassion Ministries.  The applicant for this scholarship should display high moral character and excellence in all activities.

Kindra Westendorf Memorial Scholarship – This $1,000 scholarship is given in honor of Kindra Westendorf, an EHS graduate who excelled in volleyball and academics. Kindra was pursuing her career as a physician, prior to her untimely death. She is remembered for her leadership, ability to focus, athletic competitiveness and community involvement. Kindra traveled to China with a medical delegation, which reflects her work ethic and moral character. The applicant for this scholarship must display much of these same characteristics that exemplified Kindra’s life. The Samuel Music Foundation, in conjunction with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Ken Westendorf, is awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a female EHS senior who meets the following criteria:

1. Minimum GPA of 3.0
2. Participation in volleyball
3. Applicant should exhibit qualities of leadership, community service and high moral character.
   

   Hannah Westendorf: 2019 Kindra Westendorf Memorial Scholarship Winner (with Ken, Tena & Colleen Westendorf)

Lawinger Delong & Jacobs, LLC – The law firm of Lawinger Delong & Jacobs, LLC is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior going on to further his or her education in any field of study.

Linders Limited LLC/McDonalds Scholarship – Linders Limited LLC/McDonalds is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior going on to further his or her education in any field of study.

Marion Eye Center Scholarships – Marion Eye Center is sponsoring a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior who wishes to continue his or her education in any field of study. Strong consideration will be given to financial need for further education, including trade schools and community colleges.

Maxine Gravenhorst Memorial Scholarship – The Maxine Gravenhorst family is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior who wishes to continue his or her studies in the field of Education. Maxine Jaycox Gravenhorst was born in Effingham, graduated from the University of Illinois in 1934, and retired from teaching in 1966. Her teaching career included 12 years in Effingham Unit 40 and a term as Assistant Superintendent of Effingham County Schools. Maxine was thoroughly loved by all of her students. Maxine always said, “If I have touched someone’s life, my living was not in vain.” Upon her death in 2015 at the age of 101, this scholarship was established to honor her.

McDevitt, Osteen, Chojnicki & Deters Scholarship – The Law firm of McDevitt, Osteen, Chojnicki & Deters is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School Senior going on to further his or her education in any field of study.

Mitchell Coffin Memorial Scholarship – A $500 scholarship is given in memory of Mitchell Coffin, an EHS student who would have graduated in the Class of 2020-2021.  Mitchell loved all aspects of EHS, but his favorite time was spent in the Drama, Chorus, and Fine Arts Departments.  Mitchell demonstrated strength and bravery during his cancer fight.  The applicant should display high moral character and excellence in all activities with preference given to students continuing their education in a fine arts/theatre field.

Monroe Family Trust Scholarship – The Monroe Family Trust is offering a $1,000 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior going on to further his or education in any field of study.

Northside Ford Business Scholarship – The Effingham Unit #40 Educational Foundation in conjunction with Northside Ford is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior who wishes to continue his or her education in the field of Business.

Roy Schmidt Honda Scholarship – Roy Schmidt Honda is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior who wishes to continue his or her education in any field of study.

Russ and Shari Marvel Teacher Scholarship – Russ and Shari Marvel are offering multiple $500 scholarships to Effingham High School seniors who wish to continue their education in the field of Education. Both Mr. and Mrs. Marvel were longtime educators in the Effingham community and wish to assist students pursuing a career that they found so personally rewarding.

Tom & Lana Henderson Scholarship – Tom and Lana Henderson are sponsoring a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior who wishes to continue his or her education in the field of Business.  Tom is an Effingham businessman and served on the Unit 40 School Board for 12 years.  Tom and his wife Lana have been long-time contributors to the Unit 40 Education Foundation and believe strongly in supporting education.

Washington Savings Bank Scholarship – Washington Savings Bank is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior going on to further his or her education in any field of study.

Waupaca Foundry, Inc. Effingham Machining – Waupaca Foundry, Inc. Effingham Machining is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School student who is continuing his or her education in a Maintenance or Electrical technical field.

Waupaca Foundry, Inc. Effingham Machining – Waupaca Foundry, Inc. Effingham Machining is offering a $1000 scholarship to an Effingham High School student who is continuing his or her education in the field of Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering.

Waupaca Foundry, Inc. Effingham Machining – Waupaca Foundry, Inc. Effingham Machining is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School student who is continuing his or her education in any field of study.

Weis Insurance Agency, LLC Scholarship – Weis Insurance Agency, LLC is offering a $500 scholarship to an Effingham High School senior going on to further his or her education in any field of study.

Zach Fish Memorial Scholarship – A $500 scholarship is given in the memory of Zach Fish, EHS Class of 2004. Zach was a sports enthusiast and received a football and academic scholarship to attend McKendree University. The applicant for this scholarship should be continuing his or her education in the field of Business, with a preference given to applicants continuing sports at the college level.

Effingham Unit 40 Educational Foundation Scholarships – The Effingham Unit #40 Education Foundation is offering multiple $500 scholarships to Effingham High School seniors who wish to continue their education in any field of study.

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Who benefits from Unit 40 Foundation Scholarships?

 

Unit 40 Foundation Scholarships provide assistance to many EHS seniors pursing education and training in a wide spectrum of interests!

 

Check out this diverse list of Unit 40 Foundation Scholarship winners’ majors from 2010 through 2014:

Biology, Chemistry, Pre-medicine, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical technology, Physics, Geology , Speech pathology/Audiology, Kinesiology, Sports management, 0ptometry, English, English as a 2nd language, French/Spanish as a 2nd language, Spanish, Math education, Business administration, Healthcare administration, International business, Finance, Marketing/public relations, Human resources, Accounting, Actuarial science, Political science, Communications, Broadcast journalism, Agricultural business, Computer science, Information technology/Web design, Graphic design, Computer systems analyst, Fine arts/Game art & design, Music performance/Music education, Worship ministry, Interior design, Dental hygiene, Cosmetology, Welding, Diesel mechanics.

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Stay tuned for more scholarship opportunities…the Effingham Unit #40 Education Foundation is continually working with local citizens and businesses to provide more scholarships for Effingham High School seniors. New scholarships will be posted here as the details are finalized.