A number of local scholarships are available to assist graduating high school seniors with the cost of higher education. This week we continue to highlight the various scholarships available to graduating seniors. Today we feature Wilmington Masonic Lodge, Constellation and Unit 1 Educational Foundation scholarships.
Wilmington Masonic Lodge will present a financial award to a graduating senior who will enroll in college studies. Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation and an essay outlining their future goals and commitment to meeting those goals, as well as why they should be considered for the scholarship. Applications are due April 17.
Constellation Energy annually recognizes a graduating senior with a financial award to assist in their future studies in a technical, science or engineering field at a community college, university or similar institution of higher learning. Applicants are required to include two letters of recommendation and an essay on their high school experience with their application that is due April 24.
The Unit 1 Educational Foundation annually awards a number of scholarships to assist high school seniors with their future studies. Along with the foundation scholarships, the organization oversees a number of personal scholarships presented by and in memory of alumni, friends of the district and local businesses.
In 2024, the foundation will present the Unit 1 Scholarship to students planning to attend a college or trade school. The amount of these scholarships vary.
The foundation will also present the Coal City Firemen's Association Scholarship that is open to any student pursuing a career in fire science, emergency medical or medical field.
A $1,000 scholarship will be presented in memory of Josh Cumming to a student enrolling at Illinois State University. A short essay on the applicant's future plans is required.
Seniors entering into the field of mortuary science or health science are encouraged to apply for the $500 Reeves/Baskerville Scholarship presented annually by Matt Baskerville of Reeves/Baskerville Funeral Homes.
The Rick Darling Memorial Scholarship provides $500 to a graduating senior who played baseball for the Coalers.
Graduating seniors who will continue their studies in the agriculture or education field are eligible to apply for the Floyd and Norma Calcaterra Family Scholarship. Two $1,000 awards will be presented and is renewable for four years as long as the recipient maintains a C average or better.
The Coal City High School class of 1984 Scholarship provides a graduating senior with a $500 award to put toward their continuing education. An essay on the topic of “How do you plan to use your college educational experience to help others in the future?” is required with the application.
Established in 2022, the Matt Vignocchi Memorial Scholarship will assist graduates planning to attend an institution of higher learning that results in a career in the trades. Applicants must include a short essay on the topics of why they have decided to pursue post high school education and their career goals. The scholarship provides up to $1,000 in scholarships.
Students interested in a career in real estate are encouraged to apply for the Lori Bonarek Scholarship, a $1,000 award that will go to one or two applicants.
Applications for scholarships presented by and through the Unit 1 Educational Foundation are due April 21.
Additional information and applications for these and other scholarships are available on the Coal City School District website at www.coalcityschools.org. Visit the student link on the high school page and click on the local scholarship link within the student services tab.