Criteria:

Graduating female, high school senior who is a Boylan High School Soccer Team member and/or a Sirens Soccer Team member. Applicant must be community service minded, active in her faith and have a GPA of at least 2.5.

Deadline March 1

Kari Ann Lotko:

May 19, 1989 – February 6, 2004

Kari Lotko was 14 years old when she died in an automobile accident on her way to Boylan soccer practice, the sport she loved most.  A freshman at Boylan Catholic High School, a member of school’s cross country and soccer teams, and the Sirens Soccer Club, Kari was loved for her compassion, collegiality and individuality.

Kari was the type of girl who went out of her way to be a friend to any new players on her soccer team or friends at school.  She encouraged players when they weren’t playing well and quelled inter team criticism.  Kari didn’t like group dissension and worked to improve the dynamics of team play.   She was even a peace maker in her home.  She believed everyone should try their best, whether it was in practice or in the games.  Her coach said it was Kari that helped keep the team going when things got rough.  In her honor, Sirens Soccer Club retired her jersey number 8, and named their annual soccer tournament as a memorial in her honor, Octoberfest Kari Lotko Memorial Soccer Tournament.  Her Boylan team mates and staff devoted all four of their high school years to Kari, with team prayers that included her before each game and practice and shirts that included KL8 OGA, standing for Kari Lotko 8 Our Guardian Angel. 

In addition to a passion for soccer, Kari lived passionately in her faith in God.  She was a member of Life Team at St Rita.  She was a counselor for the Catholic and Cool Kids Camp at Bishop Lane Retreat Center.  She was secure in knowing God’s abundant love for her and shared that faith with those around her.  At the time of her death, she was joyous with anticipation of her high school soccer career and all the goodness that family, friends, faith, and life had to offer.  Her joy continues to live on through her teammates, friends and family, and everyone who knew her. 

Kari’s goal in life was written by her on her back to school plan:

“…being a role model, being the best that you can be at everything, cheering people up and always having a smile, good grades, keep in touch with God and staying alive in the faith, sports, and being a friend to Everyone!”

She achieved this and more.

Application Instructions:

To apply for this scholarship, you must complete an online application and submit a packet of additional materials in hard copy.  Both of these components MUST be RECEIVED by the March 1st deadline.

The scholarship packet requires your school counselor, registrar or principal to verify your academic information so be sure to allow sufficient time to submit the application.  Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted.