graphic with green symbolizing grass at bottom and blue sky with white fluffy clouds above. At left, a graphic of a tree with branches stretching up and roots growing down. The word "Rooted." overlaid on the tree. At right, the words A community's beauty lies in its branches, but its strength lies in its roots. Announcing the CFNIL scholarship class of 2023. 186 awarded $430,000 thanks to generations of generosity.

Announcing the CFNIL Scholarship Class of 2023

May 1, 2023

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is pleased to announce its 2023 scholarship recipients: 215 scholarships worth up to $429,677 to local students. The scholarships will support the post-secondary educational aspirations of 185 local students from 29 high schools.

CFNIL administers over 100 scholarship endowments, all created by individuals and organizations that recognize the importance of education. Many of CFNIL’s scholarships are memorials, which celebrate the lives and passions of individuals. Thanks to the generosity of scholarship fund creators, since 2000 CFNIL has awarded over $4,500,000 to local students.

Most recipients are graduating high school seniors in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties. Scholarships are awarded to many kinds of students: academic achievers; non-traditional; those with financial need; athletes; all races and ethnicities; pursuing careers in education, STEM, business, fire science, and healthcare; and many more. Some of the scholarships are renewable for up to four years. The diversity of the recipients reflects the diversity of CFNIL’s donors and the communities it serves. Learn more about the CFNIL scholarship class of 2023 at www.cfnil.org/2023-scholarship-recipients

Scholarship applications are reviewed and scored by community volunteers. A “blind” review process assures scholarships are awarded objectively to students who best fit the scholarship criteria. This year over 150 volunteers read and scored over 1,500 scholarship applications.

“The CFNIL Scholarship Program is rooted in decades of generosity and provides an annual reminder of our community’s longstanding commitment to education,” said CFNIL President Dan Ross. “It also reminds us that if this year’s recipients are any indication, the future of our community is in very good hands. It is our privilege to connect local generosity with local needs and to continue to close the gap between aspiration and reality for hundreds of students.”

In celebration of this year’s scholars, CFNIL will host a Scholarship Award Night Thursday, June 15, 6:30pm at Cliffbreakers/Riverview Event Center (700 W Riverside, Rockford). This celebration of scholarship honors all recipients and welcomes families, donors, and community members.

View a full list of this year’s recipients at cfnil.org/2023-scholarship-recipients and in the table below (sorted by student last name). This information is current as of Monday, May 1, 2023.

 

FIRST NAME LAST NAME HIGH SCHOOL CLASS SCHOLARSHIP(S)
Luke Alberstett Hononegah High School 2023 Geoffrey R. Laird Memorial Scholarship 
Emily Allison Pecatonica High School 2023 Irene K. Karsk Memorial Scholarship
Kassidy Anderson Hononegah High School 2023 Janet L. Williams Mathematics Scholarship 
Ryan Anderson Hononegah High School 2022 Howard D. Colman Scholarship Honorarium
Caleb Andre Belvidere North High School 2020 Wilbur and William Cummings Memorial Scholarship
Ethan Andre Belvidere North High School 2023 Wilbur and William Cummings Memorial Scholarship 
Isabella Andre Belvidere North High School 2021 Wilbur and William Cummings Memorial Scholarship
Charlie Andres Belvidere North High School 2023 IAFF 413: Terrance Freeman, Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Christina Anyebuno Rockford Christian High School 2023 Dr. Gussie M. Ware Memorial Scholarship
Teresa Anyebuno Rockford Christian High School 2023

Dr. Gussie M. Ware Memorial Scholarship

Taus Community Endowment Scholarship
Anja Arvesen Hononegah High School 2020

Alpha Delta Kappa Xi Education Scholarship

Early Childhood Educators Scholarship
Samantha Baker Belvidere North High School 2020 Wilbur and William Cummings Memorial Scholarship
Abigail Barnhardt Hononegah High School 2023 Howard D. Colman Scholarship Recipient
Ryan Barrack Pecatonica High School 2022 Howard D. Colman Scholarship Honorarium
Amanda Beam Guilford High School 2020 Karen E. and Robert K. Harter Recruitment Grant 
Jenna Beam Guilford High School 2023 Roger L. Ekstrom Memorial Scholarship 
Casey  Bohn Hononegah High School 2023 In Youth We Trust Award
Noella Bonsol Belvidere High School 2021

Sorensen Memorial Theater Scholarship 

William R. Durham Drama/Theater Scholarship 
Seth Caiola Rockford Christian High School 2023 Anna Schiller Scholarship 
Alexandria Cassens Byron High School 2022 Amber Huber Memorial Scholarship
Tahany Castelan Jefferson High School 2023 Walter K. Raczynski Family Scholarship
Joseph Chan Rockford Christian High School 2022 Sorensen Memorial Engineering Scholarship
Jonathan Claerbout Winnebago High School 2023 Howard D. Colman Scholarship Recipient
Gabriel Claros Other 2018 Margaret T. Craig Community Service Scholarship 
Madelyn Craft Auburn High School 2020 Sorensen Memorial Architecture Scholarship
Alexander Crowell Auburn High School 2023 Geoffrey R. Laird Memorial Scholarship 
Angel Cruz Rochelle Township High School 2020 Leonard D. Carmichael Community Service Scholarship
Nick Davenport Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 Billy Smith Memorial Scholarship 
James Davis Rockford East High School 2023 In Youth We Trust Award
Samuel Delgado Guilford High School 2023 IAFF 413: Tyler Kinison Memorial Scholarship
Annah Dulaney Pecatonica High School 2021

Alpha Delta Kappa Xi Education Scholarship

Anthony and Charlotte Kinney Scholarship
Julianna Edwards Harlem High School 2023 Zeta Chapter Memorial Award 
Sher Eh Jefferson High School 2023 Senior Memorial Scholarship 
Mayar Elamin Other 2017 Nettie and Jesse Gorov Scholarship
Marissa Enke Guilford High School 2023 May-Cassioppi Scholarship 
Arianna Ferguson Guilford High School 2023

Dr. Gussie M. Ware Memorial Scholarship

Sorensen Memorial Architecture Scholarship

Taus Community Endowment Scholarship
Kaitlynne Franklin Auburn High School 2023

Dr. Gussie M. Ware Memorial Scholarship

Pi Gamma Omega Scholarship
Magen Franklin Hononegah High School 2023 Fred Peterson, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Sutton Gaines Belvidere High School 2023 Wilbur and William Cummings Memorial Scholarship 
Logan Gensler Hononegah High School 2023 Jack Lovejoy Vocational Scholarship
Ayah Gheith Guilford High School 2022 Willard J. Corbett and Alice C. Corbett Scholarship
Takara Gilbert Auburn High School 2023 Pi Gamma Omega Scholarship
Michelle Gornicki Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 Willard J. and Alice C. Corbett Scholarship
Carl  Granath Auburn High School 2020 Sorensen Memorial Engineering Scholarship
Jillian Grashorn Rockford Lutheran High School 2022 Sorensen Memorial Architecture Scholarship
John Green Rochelle Township High School 2023

Keith Maffioli Scholarship 

Rockford Products Corporation Foundation Scholarship 
Hailey Groharing Byron High School 2021 Amber Huber Memorial Scholarship
Puranjay Gupta Auburn High School 2022 Howard D. Colman Scholarship Honorarium
Courtney Hamberlin Auburn High School 2012 Elsie Jefko Carlson Scholarship
McKenna Handy Pecatonica High School 2021 Jouris Family Scholarship
Amarie Harris Jefferson High School 2023 Dr. Gussie M. Ware Memorial Scholarship
William Hatch Auburn High School 2023 In Youth We Trust Award
Erik Hendriex Roosevelt Community Education Center 2023 Geoffrey R. Laird Memorial Scholarship 
Natalie Herbert Pecatonica High School 2023

Anthony and Charlotte Kinney Scholarship

Howard and Eithal Curry Elementary Education Recruitment Grant 

Zeta Chapter Memorial Award
Christian Hernandez Rockford East High School 2023

Dorothy Cleland Memorial NSDAR  Scholarship 

Rockford Products Corporation Foundation Scholarship 
Ariahnna Hightower Jefferson High School 2021 Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity Scholarship
Grace Hoening Rockford Lutheran High School  2020 Sorensen Memorial Music Scholarship
Hope Hotchkiss Freeport High School 2023 Helen R. (Finley) Loescher & Stephen B. Loescher Scholarship
Shanell Jackson Rockford Lutheran High School 2023 In Youth We Trust Award
Ethan Jacobson Stillman Valley High School 2021 Daniel Edwards Memorial Scholarship
Hannah Jacobson Winnebago High School 2022

Howard D. Colman Scholar

Rockford Products Corporation Foundation Scholarship 
Lucia Jahn Hononegah High School 2023 Hegel Family Soccer Scholarship 
Amanda Jamrog Sycamore High School 2023 Charles Lee Anderson Memorial Scholarship
Katie Jensen Guilford High School 2023 May-Cassioppi Scholarship 
Ben Johnson Harlem High School 2020 Sorensen Memorial Theater Scholarship
Daydreem Johnson Auburn High School 2023 Dr. Gussie M. Ware Memorial Scholarship
Katie Jones Hononegah High School 2023

Fred Peterson, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

International Management Council (IMC) Scholarship
LaKayla Jordan Auburn High School 2023 West Gateway Coalition Scholarship 
Annette Kallstrom Hononegah High School 2023 Winnebago County Veterans Association Scholarship
Laura Kane Other 2001

Margaret T. Craig Community Service Scholarship 

Nettie and Jesse Gorov Scholarship
Pam Kee Rockford East High School 2023 Pay It Forward Scholarship
Jasmine Keith Guilford High School 2020 Karen E. and Robert K. Harter Recruitment Grant 
Austin Kirwin Hononegah High School 2023 Hegel Family Soccer Scholarship 
Connor (Tim) Knauf Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 In Youth We Trust Award
Samantha Kohls Belvidere North High School 2023 Richard Dopp Memorial Scholarship 
Spencer Kohls Belvidere North High School 2023 Howard D. Colman Scholarship Recipient
Noah Kowalski Guilford High School 2022 IAFF 413: Phyllis Howard Memorial Scholarship
Sarah Krein Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023

IAFF 413: Lieutenant Kelli Ingardona Memorial Scholarship

John D. and Melinda (Mindy) L. Stadel Scholarship
Alyssa LaBarge Belvidere North High School 2023 It's Up To Me Scholarship 
Trinity Lambert Belvidere North High School 2023 In Youth We Trust Award
Alexandra Lee Jefferson High School 2023 Buster Lindsay Memorial Scholarship 
Kyra Lewis Hononegah High School 2023

Carolyn Wones Recruitment Grant

Rockton Lions Club Scholarship
Sreyansh Mamidi Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy 2021 Howard D. Colman Scholar
Trenton Martin Pecatonica High School 2022 Sorensen Memorial Theater Scholarship
Benegusengo Mbateye Rockford East High School 2023

Dr. Gussie M. Ware Memorial Scholarship

Willard J. and Alice C. Corbett Scholarship
Abigail McBee Homeschooled 2020

Nettie and Jesse Gorov Scholarship

William R. Durham Drama/Theater Scholarship 
Alex McCarthy Hononegah High School 2023

Dr. Loomis/Rockton Lions Club Scholarship

Rockford Products Corporation Foundation Scholarship 
Connor McGuire Belvidere North High School 2020 Wilbur and William Cummings Memorial Scholarship
Ella McKinney Rochelle Township High School 2022 Leonard D. Carmichael Community Service Scholarship
Juan Medrano Centeno Belvidere North High School 2023 Frances Grant Triebel Memorial NSDAR Scholarship
Taw Meh Jefferson High School 2021

Jan Stringer Memorial Scholarship

Willard J. Corbett & Alice C. Corbett Scholarship
Sabrina Meng Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy 2020 Howard D. Colman Scholar
Jennifer Meyers Roosevelt Community Education Center 2023 Nancy Kalchbrenner Scholarship 
Mary Meyers Harlem High School 2023

Sorensen Memorial Engineering Scholarship 

Winnebago County Veterans Association Scholarship
Trinity Miller Guilford High School 2023

Annie and Oscar Blackwell Scholarship

Dr. Gussie M. Ware Memorial Scholarship
Lauren Mohaupt Pecatonica High School 2023

John Flynn Memorial Scholarship 

WoTM Scholarship 
Autumn Mohring Hononegah High School 2023

Dr. Loomis/Rockton Lions Club Scholarship

Fred Peterson, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Phenixx Montgomery-Bradley Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 West Gateway Coalition Scholarship 
Alisa Moore Durand High School 2023 Harry H. and Floy B. Chapin Scholarship 
Ariana Moreno Guilford High School 2023 Deborah Jean Rydberg Memorial Scholarship 
Natalie Muehlfelder Rockford East High School 2023 Regina Potts Memorial Scholarship
Kyan Muhammad Auburn High School 2023

Era L. and Frances L. Walker Scholarship

Randall A. Blank Memorial Scholarship 
Kemonte Myles Freeport High School  2023 Jan Stringer Memorial Scholarship
Zoe Newton Guilford High School 2023 Susan Kay Munson Gilmore Memorial Scholarship 
Thuy Linh Nguyen South Beloit High
School		 2020 Willard J. Corbett & Alice C. Corbett Scholarship
Julian Nichols Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 Betty Harlan Memorial Art Scholarship 
Helaina Nimmo Hononegah High School 2021 William R. Durham Drama/Theater Scholarship 
Christine Noone-Rapp Jefferson High School 1984 WCRTA Blanche J. Martin Scholarship
Audilon Ntiringaniza Rockford East High School 2019

Dr. Constance L. Goode Memorial Scholarship

WCRTA Blanche J. Martin Scholarship
Elaina Nyen Durand High School 2023 Harry H. and Floy B. Chapin Scholarship 
Jasmine Oley Rock Valley College 2005

Kjellstrom Women's Scholarship 

Richard L. Bernardi Memorial Scholarship 
Madison Ost Rochelle Township High School 2022 Amanda Reed Memorial Scholarship
Maya Pandya Auburn High School 2020 Larry and Betty McGee Scholarship 
Eric Patterson Roosevelt Community Education Center 2011 West Gateway Coalition Scholarship 
Christopher Perea Jefferson High School 2018 Rockford Products Corporation Foundation Scholarship 
Phuong Pham Auburn High School 2021 Sorensen Memorial Engineering Scholarship 
Isabel Pinedo Jefferson High School 2023 Buster Lindsay Memorial Scholarship 
Breana Pink Rockford Christian High School 2023 Anna Schiller Scholarship 
Maram Quhshi Rockford East High School 2020 Walter K. Raczynski Family Scholarship
Lia Rivera Mendoza Jefferson High School 2023 Rockford Products Corporation Foundation Scholarship 
Andrew Roberts Guilford High School 2023 William Pigott Memorial Scholarship 
Jalen Robinson Rockford Lutheran High School 2023 In Youth We Trust Award
Isabella Rodriguez Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 Rockford Historical Society Scholarship
Christian Rodriguez-Hernandez Belvidere High School 2022 William J. Galaway Library and Information Science Scholarship 
Allison Roser Rockford Lutheran High School 2023 Northwestern Illinois Building Trades Blais Family Scholarship 
Kolandra Roundtree Rockford East High School 2022

Dr. Tom Moore Family Scholarship

Nettie and Jesse Gorov Scholarship
Sophia Rozanski Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 Beta Gamma Recruitment Grant
Molly Ryan Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 John E. Lindley Memorial Swim Scholarship 
Macy Sager Pecatonica High School 2023 Hazel Mortimer Hyde Memorial Conservation NSDAR Scholarship 
Ayah Sbeih Rochelle Township High School 2021 Leonard D. Carmichael Community Service Scholarship 
Erin Schier Hononegah High School 2023 Zeta Chapter Memorial Award 
Isabella Schmid Rockford Lutheran High School 2021 Sorensen Memorial Music Scholarship 
Aaralynn Schneider Harvard High School 2023 Paul and Ruth Neidhold Business Scholarship 
Kendra Schreck Hononegah High School 2023 Rockton Lions Club Scholarship
Gabriel Schroepfer Homeschooled 2019 WoTM Scholarship 
Jessica Schrom Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 Sorensen Memorial Theater
Syeria Scott Auburn High School 2017

League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford Scholarship

Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity Scholarship
Kylee Semenchuk Harlem High School 2020 WCRTA Blanche J. Martin Scholarship
Madeline Seuring Auburn High School 2023

Ashley Ketcher Memorial

In Youth We Trust Award
Tahjanay Shelton Guilford High School 2020 Willard J. Corbett & Alice C. Corbett Scholarship
Courtney Shimp Harlem High School 2020 WoTM Scholarship 
Samantha Shimp Harlem High School 2023

Beta Gamma Recruitment Grant

Howard and Eithal Curry Elementary Education Recruitment Grant 
Mary Clare Sisk Other 2021 Nettie and Jesse Gorov Scholarship
Xion Smith Winnebago High School 2023 It's Up To Me Scholarship 
Henry Snyder Winnebago High School 2023 Keith Maffioli Scholarship 
Audrey Soetermans Homeschooled 2022 Sorensen Memorial Music Scholarship
Jocelyn Solis Auburn High School 2022 Willard J. Corbett and Alice C. Corbett Scholarship
Ava Sommer Auburn High School 2021 Walter K. Raczynski Family Scholarship
Grace Sommerio Pecatonica High School 2022 Randall A. Blank Memorial Scholarship 
Aidan Sosnowski Rockford Christian High School 2023 Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 984 Scholarship 
Myla Stanford Auburn High School 2020 Ernest and Charlene Stachowiak Memorial Scholarship 
Alexandria Sterenberg Belvidere High School 2022 Wilbur and William Cummings Memorial Scholarship
Elena Steurer Homeschooled 2023

Dorothy Cleland Memorial NSDAR Scholarship

Rockford Products Corporation Foundation Scholarship 
Olivia Stewart Hononegah High School 2023 R.I.S.E. Nursing Scholarship 
Keelyn Stoeckicht Homeschooled 2022 Margaret T. Craig Community Service Scholarship 
Paige Stolp Belvidere North High School 2021 Alpha Delta Kappa Xi Education Scholarship
Eli Stoneberg Guilford High School 2021 Willard J. Corbett & Alice C. Corbett Scholarship
Ieva Surantas Auburn High School 2021 University of Michigan Scholarship 
Ahoud Thabet Rockford East High School 2021 Sorensen Memorial Architecture Scholarship
 Elizabeth Trenhaile Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 In Youth We Trust Award
Jadyn Vail Belvidere High School 2022 Wilbur and William Cummings Memorial Scholarship
Paloma Velasco Auburn High School 2018

Margaret T. Craig Community Service Scholarship

Northwest Community Center Scholarship

West Gateway Coalition Scholarship 
Wolfgang Vergara Hononegah High School 2023 Gary S. Wilmer RAMI Music Scholarship
Bailey Vincer Hononegah High School 2022 WoTM Scholarship 
Aidan Wedwick Boylan Central Catholic High School 2023 Geoffrey R. Laird Memorial Scholarship 
Zachary Wheeler Hononegah High School 2023 Howard D. Colman Scholarship Recipient
Amanda Williams Byron High School 2020

Amber Huber Memorial Scholarship

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 984 Scholarship 
Kathryn Wolfgram Belvidere North High School 2023 Sorensen Memorial Music
Kaitlyn Wrage Hononegah High School 2022 Walter K. Raczynski Family Scholarship
Charo Young Other 1997 Kjellstrom Women's Scholarship 
Sama Yousif Guilford High School 2022 Susan Kay Munson Gilmore Memorial Scholarship 
Emma Zeller Durand High School 2022

Nettie and Jesse Gorov Scholarship

Willard J. Corbett and Alice C. Corbett Scholarship
TBA TBA Byron High School 2023 Amber Huber Memorial Scholarship
TBA TBA Byron High School 2023 David L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship
TBA TBA Byron High School 2023 Gene Bradford Memorial Scholarship
TBA TBA Rochelle Township High School 2023 Leonard D. Carmichael Community Service Scholarship
TBA TBA North Boone High School 2023 Mike Lindberg Memorial Scholarship
TBA TBA TBA 2023 Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship