IVCC to offer scholarship opportunities for early childhood workers

Shaw Local News Network

Illinois Valley Community College in partnership with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will offer the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity ongoing scholarship opportunities for the 2023-2024 academic year starting with the fall semester.

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$1,500 scholarships to Torrance and Mason Sterling, of Streator. Mason, the son of Rebecca and Joseph Sterling, will major in mechanical engineering at U of I.

The Thomas “Tucker” Tillman Scholarship, established by his niece Shalanda Rabadan, went to Alex Graham of Ottawa. The son of Mike and Beth Graham will major in criminal justice and play football at McKendree University in Lebanon.

The $1,000 Pie It Forward Scholarship created by Tangled Roots Brewing Company went to Jayce Ladzinski

Those who are currently employed or have worked in early childhood education and are looking to increase their credentials or earn a degree may be eligible for the ECACE scholarship.

The scholarship was developed to help address the shortage of qualified early childhood teachers by providing the current workforce opportunities to pursue advanced credentials in an effort to build a stronger workforce. The scholarship may be used for tuition, fees and cost of attendance. of Peru. The son of Tom and Angela Ladzinski just completed his first year in marketing at Bradley University.

ECACE scholarship applicants are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the same academic year.

The priority application deadline for the 2023-24 academic year is Aug. 7, but late applications may be considered.

For further information contact IVCC Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator and Professor Tammy Landgraf at tammy_landgraf@ivcc.edu.

The $3,000 Women Inspired Network Young Women Leaders Scholarship established by SRCCF, went to Corinne Francis, of Ottawa. The daughter of Kevin and Heather Francis will major in art/illustration at Northern Illinois University.

The $2,500 Charles H. Beckett Scholarship for the Culinary Arts, also created by the SRCCF board, went to Madelynn Guilinger, of Morris. The daughter of Brad and Keri Guilinger will major in culinary arts management at Joliet Junior College.

The $1,220 Stephen Charles Vogler Memorial Scholarship established by

Starved Rock Media President and General Manager John Spencer went to Eric Lockwood, of Peru. The son of Kirk and Dawn Lockwood is completing an AA in communications at IVCC.

The $5,000 Finish Line Scholarship created by philanthropist David Eller, of Ottawa, went to Illinois Valley Community College’s Rosevelia Rocha, of Mendota. The daughter of Anzurio and Rosario Rocha will major in bilingual elementary education at U of I.

The $8,000 Robert J. Moore and Ellen G. Moore Scholarships for graduates of Fieldcrest High School will be split ($4,000 each) between Aralyn McCullough and Zoey Dye, both of Wenona. The daughter of Hilary and Jamie Gott, Aralyn will major in fine arts and graphic design at Illinois Wesleyan University. The daughter of Chris and Annie Dye will major in communication sciences and disorders at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida.

Pamela Beckett also announced the Molly Lenora Yacko Memorial Scholarship created by her cousin Emily Yacko will be awarded in 2024 to help individuals affected by suicide and mental health issues. Yacko has organized the “Run Today for Tomorrow 5K” at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 24 in Ottawa.

For SRCCF scholarship information, visit www.srccf.org or call 815252-2906.