District 300 Foundation Scholarships Total 238 and $300,000 in Six Years

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The District #300 Educational Foundation will host its 6th Annual Foundation Dinner Event on Saturday, May 5, 2012.

This annual event will again be held in the K-8 School Commons starting at 6 p.m. The event will be an opportunity to celebrate the academic achievement of students and honor several individuals.

During the evening over 60 scholarships will be awarded to graduating DHS seniors along with honoring the valedictorians of DuQuoin Township High School prior to 1960 and more recent Du Quoin High School valedictorians. The cost of tickets for this event is $10 per individual or $20 per couple. Nearly 300 people attend this event each year.

From its inception the Foundation will have awarded 238 scholarships to graduating seniors from DuQuoin High School.

The total value of scholarships during the past 6 years has exceeded $300,000 which has included matching scholarship opportunities in cooperation with the Illinois "Dollars For Scholars" program, John A. Logan College, and Murray State University. The vast contributions by community organizations, groups, and individuals have made the Foundation Scholarship Program a large success.

The Foundation has also been successful in funding a number of instructional projects during the past six school years. Each school has benefited by funds being provided through the Foundation for grade level and classroom projects, field trips, and other special projects.

During the past school year, the Foundation has been served by the time and effort of several individuals who provide leadership as members of the Foundation's Board of Directors.

For the 2011-2012 year John Vancil has served as President, Andrew Darnell has served as Vice-President, with Carolyn Sorrows serving as Secretary; Robyn Laur Russell serves as Treasurer. Other members of the Foundation Board include; Dan Fulk, Tim Leake, Mary Jo Novak, and Pam Urban.

A large part of the cost for this event is underwritten by Pepsi MidAmerica and all proceeds will benefit the District #300 Educational Foundation Scholarship Program. Members of the public are invited and tickets may be purchased through Foundation board members, at each school office, or at the District #300 central office during normal business hours.