Scholar Highlights and Celebrations

LINK Scholar Celebration

The following honors were awarded at the Scholar Celebration on June 13:

• • James J. Gavin Humanitarian Award: Mitchell Bender
  • John Parmer Outstanding Leadership Award: Jamari Pitchford
  • Be You X 10 Award: Alyssa Ward
  • Servant Leader Award: Ocean Lott
  • Parent Commitment Award: Temple Moore
  • Exemplary Scholar Award: Olivia Cameron
  • School Partner Award: DePaul College Prep
  • Senior Mentor Award: Fran and Loretta O’Malley
  • Alumni of the Year: Julie Welborn and Franklin Reynolds

Jordan Wings Scholars

The Jordan Wings Scholarship program is committed to offering access to opportunities that can level the playing field for young people, and we’re thrilled to announce that two of our LINK Unlimited Scholars are Jordan Wings recipients. Congratulations to Mitchell Bender and Maverick Griffin, our 2024 Jordan Wings Scholars! 

Other Honors and Awards

Ryann Dawson, Class of 2026 (a rising junior), was a winner in the NAACP DuPage County ACT-SO poetry and essay competition and will be competing at nationals in Las Vegas in July. She won gold in the Poetry Performance and Original Essay categories as well as winning silver in the Poetry Written category. Congratulations, Ryann! 

College Decisions

Congratulations to our graduating Scholars who have committed to continue their educational journeys this fall at these “best fit” colleges and universities:

• • Braylon Bailey, North Carolina A&T University (Gates Scholar Recipient)
  • Mitchell Bender, Illinois State (Jordan Wings Scholar)
  • Joseph Butler II, Howard University
  • Jamari Chaney, St. Ambrose University
  • Iyonna Dean, Northern Illinois University
  • Omar Elane, Jr., Illinois State University
  • Matthew Erlec, DePaul University
  • Maverick Griffin, Paul Quinn College (Jordan Wings Scholar)
  • Savannah Harmon, Columbia College Chicago
  • Maya Heard, Louisiana State University
  • Ja’lyn Hicks, Illinois State University
  • Karmyn Jackson, Albion College
  • Mya Jackson, Howard University
  • Asia Kennard, North Carolina A&T University
  • Alonzo Manning, Naval Academy
  • Jamari Pitchford, Cornell University (Posse Scholar)
  • Kennedy Turpeau, University of Michigan
  • Alyssa Ward, Dominican University
  • Taylor Woods, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Congratulations to all of our Scholars on your college decisions, your scholarships, and your many other honors and awards! We are so proud of you!