2002 Scholarship Recipients

KIN Director of Development, Don Katz presents a plaque to special guest speaker Ms. Sylvia Luchini, DuPage County Department of Human Services Grant Manager.

2nd Annual Scholarship Program

Kids In Need was again privileged to be able to award ten $2,500 college scholarships to deserving DuPage area high school seniors. More than 55 guests recently attended the ceremony and reception at the Lombard Embassy Suites Hotel to honor the scholarship recipients, wish them congratulations, and offer support.

Mayor Bill Mueller opened the event by extending a warm welcome to the high school guidance counselors, principals and school board presidents, Addison Township officials, Police Chiefs, and other friends of KIN that were in attendance. Ms. Sylvia Luchini, the Grant Manager from the DuPage County Department of Human Services, was the special guest speaker for the event. Ms. Luchini addressed the audience and spoke to the students about the $25,000 grant KIN receives from DuPage County, the importance of continued education, and the valuable assistance that KIN provides by making the scholarships available.

Todd Gibbons from John C. Pruehs and Associates provided details about the application and selection process. This year over 40 area high schools were asked to participate, and 41 applications were submitted. “We were thrilled with the support from the high schools and the number of responses from the candidates,” Todd told the audience, “and it was very, very difficult narrowing our decisions down to just 10 students.” KIN President and Founder, Warren Gnau said, “One of the most important things we do at KIN is to provide assistance to those kids that manage to excel despite overwhelming odds against them. It’s great we can help at least 10 kids.”

Dedicated to Success

A new and important addition to the KIN Scholarships this year is the KIN Mentor Program. Don Katz, the KIN Director of Development and Mentor Program Chairman said, “We spent a lot of time developing this program and selecting the right people to be our trusted mentors. Each one of our five mentors is dedicated and committed to the success of the two students to whom they have been assigned. It was very rewarding for me personally to see the KIN Mentors meet their students at this event and begin to develop the relationships that will be so valuable to the students next year and in the years ahead.”

Last October 2001, KIN implemented the Kids In Need Mentor Program. Ms. Diane Lindstrom of Itasca, Mr. Allen Unger of Elmhurst, and Ms. Ann Robinson, Ms. Joanne Reilly, and Mr. Charles Miller all of Glen Ellyn were asked and accepted the responsibility of being the first five KIN Mentors. Each mentor has been assigned to 2 students and will be available by phone or e-mail in order to provide assistance, guidance, and support to their protégés. “It’s always nice to have someone in your corner, especially when you leave home for the first time”, said Chuck Miller one of the mentors. KIN would like to extend our deepest appreciation and thanks to these five very special people.

2002 KIN Scholarship recipients Seated: L to R, Stephanie Velasco, Remy Olson, Stacy Velasco Standing: L to R, Janet Hsiao, Jesus Magana, Stephanie Polites, Jedadiah Overton, Ryan Begley Not pictured: Jason Pikscher, Jonathan Kutil

2002 Scholarship Recipients

Kids In Need awards $2,500 scholarships for promising high school graduates on March 14, 2002. The following students were awarded scholarships.

• Stacy Velasco,
  Roselle, Illinois; Lake Park High School
• Stephanie Velasco,
  Roselle, Illinois; Lake Park High School
• Ryan Begley,
  Elmhurst, Illinois; York High School
• Jesus Magana,
  Westmont, Illinois; Montini Catholic High School
• Jedadiah Overton,
  Wheaton, Illinois; Wheaton North High School
  
• Stephanie Polites,
  Roselle, Illinois; Lake Park High School
  
• Janet Hsiao,
  Elmhurst, Illinois; York High School
  
• Jason Piksher,
  Burr Ridge, Illinois; Hinsdale South High School
  
• Remy Olson,
  Glen Ellyn, Illinois; Glenbard West High School
  
• Jonathan Kutil,
  Addison, Illinois; Driscoll Catholic High School