2008-2009 Foundation Scholarship Winners
The IRTA Foundation is pleased to announce the 2008-2009 IRTA Foundation Scholarship winners and happy to provide them with financial assistance. These individuals are promising students with strong academic records and a real desire to teach tomorrow’s youth. This year, $1,500 will be awarded to each of our winners. These 6 winners (listed below) were chosen through competition with other applicants from their own Area.
Heather Kness
The Area 1 winner is Heather Kness; she is attending Monmouth College where she is majoring in elementary education. After graduation, she plans on teaching in a “school of need.” Heather states, “All students should be treated equally regardless of their background.”
The Area 2 winner is Jessica Joyce; she attends Illinois State University and is majoring in history. She is an active member in the University’s Wesley Foundation, a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and is also a resident assistant. Jessica states, “My family has instilled in me their passionate value of education, which is why I want nothing more than to teach.”
Nicole Dudak
The Area 3 winner is Nicole Dudak; she is attending the University of Saint Francis where she is an elementary education major. Nicole writes, “A part of being a teacher is providing your students with knowledge that gives them the gold at the end of the rainbow.” Becoming a teacher will fulfill a life-long dream for Nicole.
Jamie Strauman
The Area 4 winner is Jamie Strauman; she attends Western Illinois University and is majoring in elementary education with a math endorsement. In the fall, she will be tutoring college students in math. Jamie states, “I am excited to start teaching and hope to teach late elementary or junior high math after I graduate.”
Ashlee Lambrich
The Area 5 winner is Ashlee Lambrich; she will be attending Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in the fall to pursue a degree in agricultural education. She dreams of becoming an agriculture teacher and an FFA advisor. Ashlee writes, “When I become an Ag teacher, I will have the chance to open my students up to the countless, life-changing opportunities that I have encountered as an FFA member.”
Cherise Skoffic
The Area 6 winner is Cherise Skoffic; she is attending Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Cherise comes from a long line of educators. Her great grandfather was a principal in a one-room schoolhouse, her great grandmother was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse, her mother is a retired high school guidance counselor, and two of her aunts are teachers. Cherise states, “I would love to continue the tradition of facilitating education and helping others.”
These 6 individuals will no doubt make wonderful educators; we wish all of our winners success and happiness in their future classroom endeavors. If you know anyone who would be interested in applying for our 2009-2010 IRTA Foundation scholarships, please contact Susan Goetz at susan@irtaonline.org or by phone at 800.728.4782 to obtain further information.
Moler-Austin Scholarship Results
The Moler-Austin Scholarship is another scholarship available through the IRTA Foundation. Every year, two scholarships of $4,500 each are available to Kendall County high school graduates pursuing a degree in secondary education with a major in English or a foreign language. This scholarship is available because of a generous gift from IRTA member Identa Austin. Identa donated 80 acres of land to the IRTA Foundation. The land was sold, and the interest earned annually on the invested funds is used for the Moler-Austin Scholarship.
Andrea Buss
The IRTA Foundation is very happy to be able to offer this scholarship and proud to announce the winners for 2008-2009. They are Andrea Buss and Jessica Joyce. Andrea Buss is entering her senior year at Aurora University and pursuing a degree in secondary education with an English major. This is her second year to receive the Moler-Austin scholarship. Andrea actively participates in organizations, such as the Future Educators at Aurora University and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She has completed three seasons on the volleyball team and was named captain her junior year. Andrea is also a member of the Honors Program and the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, and she has received the Ivy Leaf Award for high honors. She works on campus in the student accounts office. Andrea states, “This scholarship would provide the opportunity to continue my education and student teaching without some of the pressures that might interfere with my learning and training.”
Jessica Joyce is entering her junior year at Illinois State University. She became a resident assistant her sophomore year because of the wonderful opportunity, and the compensation was the payment of her room and board for both semesters. This scholarship will help her to focus on her studies and give her time to commit to the Wesley Foundation and other volunteer activities, such as Habitat for Humanity. Jessica writes, “I am very blessed in my life. My parents, along with my Grandmother, are educators, and truly value education. My family has also instilled in me their passionate value of education, which is why I want nothing more than to teach.”
The IRTA Foundation wishes Andrea and Jessica the very best as they complete their course work to become teachers. They will undoubtedly make wonderful educators.
If you know anyone interested in applying for next year’s scholarships, please contact Susan at 800.728.4782 or at susan@irtaonline.org for further information.
