Foundation Presents 42 Scholarships

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The level of achievement was overwhelming, and what it took Du Quoin Community Unit Dist. 300 Education Foundation president Mary Jo Novak, board member John Childs and Supt. Dr. Gary Kelly and his business manager Cory Robbins to recognize it was even moreso.

The scope of Du Quoin's ability to produce and then send out into the world great minds and sincere hearts was packaged into a three-hour recognition banquet Saturday night at the Du Quoin Middle School.

Thirty-six graduating seniors were presented a total of 42 high quality scholarships--many valued at several thousand dollars when the "Dollars for Scholars" college match is considered.

In only its third year, the Du Quoin District 300 Foundation has proven visionary.

Complete details of the work of the foundation appear in a special foundation section of today's newspaper.

The evening included a welcome by Dr. Gary Kelly, invocation by Kurt Harris, Class of 1984 board member, special appreciation to Pepsi of MidAmerica for underwriting the dinner, performances by duet acting champions Neil Patel & Haley Conner and Hannah Ebersohl and Linnea Cheek and recognition of past state speech finalists and coaches by Mary No Novak, Class of 1960.

Dr. Kelly presented the foundation scholarships and John Childs introduced presenters for the special recognition awards. Presenters included Richard Haines, Bob Cook, Pam Urban and John H. Croessman--each adding their own wonderful detail to the general biographies that were prepared by the Du Quoin Evening Call and are published on the interior of today's edition.

Rich Haines and Charles Schlueter are lifetime friends, dating back to the days of both performing in the DTHS Charles Schlueter Orchestra. He researched all of the important dates and honors bestowed on Schlueter during his professional career. Bob Cook enjoyed a tremendous career in the NSA that paralleled Barron's own life and told of the dozens of honors and great philanthropy in Barron's life. This reporter has had a longstanding respect for Robert Morefield and collaborated on Morefield's book "Historic Du Quoin: Images of the past" and holds Morefield in the highest esteem. Pam Urban's grace and speaking ability added to the flawless introduction of McElvain's daughter, navigating through some very treacherous scientific language.

Foundation scholarship recipients included:

Egyptian Officials Assoc/Southern Illinois Coaches Assoc.Scholarships (2- $400 scholarships) Female - Breeonna Williams. Male - Garrett Hopkins

Jeff Long Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Trevor Hoffman

Drew Uhles Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) - Jashay McBride

Jeff Conner Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Trevor Hoffman

Seth Milam Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) - Colin Jones

Harris Family Christian Scholarships (2- $1,000) Andrea & Ashley Dimitroff.

Jack Licata Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) - Ben Conner

Harry "Corky" Strong Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Haley Conner

Ann Paxton Memorial Scholarship ($500) - Ali Holford

Veterans of Foreign Wars Scholarship ($1,000) - Jayci Jeremiah

DuQuoin Police Department Scholarships ($500) In memory of Jim Booker - Cashmiere Bledsoe. In memory of Richard Fronek - Andrea Dimitroff

DuQuoin State Bank Scholarship ($1,000) - Andrea Dimitroff

Rednour Family Scholarship ($1,000) - Ashley Dimitroff

DuQuoin Rotary Scholarships (3 - $1,000) Haley Conner, Andrea Dimitroff, and Lauren Harsy/

DuQuoin Lions Club Scholarship ($1,000) - Kaleb Tyner

Marshall Browning Hospital Scholarship ($1,000) - Chelsey Varner

-Shelter Insurance Foundation Scholarships (2 - $1,500)- Haley Conner and Hilary Ruffing.

Educational Foundation Scholarships

In memory of Bill Stanhouse (funded by DuQuoin Masonic Lodge) - $1,000-Garrett Hopkins

In memory of Steven VanDermark (funded by Harry and Phyllis VanDermark) $1,000 - Arianne Emling

In memory of Lance Cpl. Drew Uhles (funded by American Legion - Roy Mitchell Post) $1,000 - Nathan Jackson

In memory of Don Roznowski (funded by Ten Pin Alley) - $500 - Jayci Jeremiah

(Funded by Robert and Verna Bastien) -$1,000 - Zoe Gross

(Funded by John and Elaine Vancil) two $500 - Nick Baskin and Jordee Justice

$1,000 level Foundation Scholarships-Whitney Woods, Cody Youngman, MacKenzie Hooker, Kristina Knapp, Ashley Lee, Luke Montgomery, Cameryn Cook, and Blake Hester.

$500 level Foundation Scholarships--Caitlin Asbury, Lindsay Asbury, Jessica Coleman, Shelby Leake, and Katelin Stacey.