I thank you from the bottom of my heart for awarding me the Kids’ Chance of Illinois Scholarship of $5,000 to help further my higher education. I’ve applied to a plethora of scholarships and it seemed as though I was submitting them in vain - but this award has given me hope to continue striving towards what I want. I had to take out loans in order to continue my education and I was unsure where or how I was going to find the funds because I am an out-of-state student with an unemployed single mother. This scholarship came at the right time and I am so grateful that you chose me! Thank you so much for this opportunity!
I am currently a Freshman, Undergraduate, Honors student at North Carolina Central University. I am originally from Chicago, Illinois. I am majoring in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Juvenile Justice with a 4.0 GPA. I am interested in the integrity of law and bringing reform to a system that has lost public, societal trust in the last several years. After taking a Biology - Heredity and Society course during the Fall semester, I am becoming more interested in the Forensic Science aspect of Criminal Justice as well. Nonetheless, I am a student who loves learning new things, so I believe the possibilities are endless!
With my Criminal Justice degree, I plan to further my education at Graduate school and Law school in the future. I will major in Pre-law and become a lawyer. My ultimate goal is to become a Judge in the court of law. In order to get to that point, I am choosing to be proactive in my studies, engage in class, and seek out knowledge beyond what is given to students. I plan on becoming a member of Alpha Phi Sigma - an honors organization at North Carolina Central University that is specific to Criminal Justice students. I am choosing to take advantage of every opportunity on my university campus - which includes protecting and serving my community, joining clubs, and seeking out tutors and writing workshops.
Devin Edwards, Scholarship Recipient, tells us his story.
Listen to Devin Edwards' story describing how he became one of our scholarship recipients in 2021 when he began attending Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois. Devin expects to graduate in 2024.
Konrad Skotnicki University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana
Konrad graduated from University of Illinois on May 14th with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.
Congratulations Konrad!
Graduated Spring, 2022
Alex Calcagno Loyola University Chicago
Alexandrea graduated on May 11th from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science.
Wishing Alex our congratulations!
Graduated Spring, 2022
Denise Garza Dominican University in Lake Forest, Illinois
Denise graduated on May 8th from Dominican University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.
Congratulations Denise!
Graduated Spring, 2022
Grant Lieder Oklahoma State University and Illinois Media School
Grant graduated from Illinois Media School on November 19, 2021 and he also graduated from Oklahoma State University on December 11, 2021. Grant worked very hard to achieve his goals and we're very proud of his accomplishments.
Graduated, Fall 2021
Heidi Scaccianoce Northern Illinois University
Heidi graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing with an emphasis in Digital Marketing and a minor in Business Analytics using SAS. She graduated with Cum Laude status from the College of Business. Congratulations Heidi!
Graduated, Spring, 2021
Cayla Sanchez Carthage College
Cayla graduated from Carthage College located in Kenosha, Wisconsin in the Spring, 2021 with a degree in Psychology. Congratulations Cayla!
Devan Arbay University of Arizona
I am reaching out to notify Kids' Chance of Illinois of my recent graduation from Grand Canyon University. From my associates to obtaining my bachelors degree, it has been such a journey. All of which I never thought was possible because of my fathers work related and career ending injury. However, Kids’ Chance of Illinois allowed me to continue my education despite my families financial situation. For this, I am forever grateful because I was given an opportunity I never could’ve imagined. I recently was accepted into graduate school and I will be starting my Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in government and policy. I again would like to thank Kids Chance of Illinois for all they done for me throughout my college career!
I plan to stay active with KCIL & KCOAZ so if there is anything I can help with please let me know!
Respectfully, Devan Arbay Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies Graduated Spring, 2021
Morgan Powers Millikin University Major: Biochemistry
"The KCIL scholarship has allowed me to attend an excellent university to obtain a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. Not only this, but because of this scholarship, I will be attending the University of Illinois School of Medicine next year, which is my dream school. I will forever be grateful for this scholarship and all the help it has provided over the years."
Graduated Spring, 2020
Abbigale Suprenant Lindenwood University
I am very blessed to be chosen as a recipient of the KCIL scholarship. I always dreamed of the day I would be able to attend college as I want to work in the medical field. I was inspired by my high school athletic trainer when he worked with me after I received a concussion in dance class. I was able to job shadow with him this winter and got to experience what an athletic trainer does. He counseled me on which path to take and have chosen athletic training/physical therapy. I missed being in dance classes and helping young dancers learn the art of dance so I have also chosen to minor in dance. This scholarship will allow me to achieve my dreams while lessening the burden of the expenses of college."
Graduating Spring, 2023
Denise Garza Dominican University
Hello my name is Denise Garza, I am a junior at Dominican University pursing in their education program. The Kids Chance Scholarship has helped my family and I a lot because my dad suffered a severe work accident. My dad was our main income source and hasn’t been able to work for about a year and a half now. This happened on my first year of college and I was terrified that I wasn’t going to be able to follow my dreams on becoming a teacher. Thankfully, my high school counselor reached out to me about this scholarship opportunity and I am forever grateful for this scholarship. This has guaranteed my stay at Dominican University.
Graduating Spring, 2022
Alex Calcagno Loyola University Chicago
“Hello! My name is Alex Calcagno, and I am currently a junior at Loyola University Chicago, where I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. I have been incredibly fortunate to have received this scholarship, as it has allowed me to be a first-generation college student. This scholarship, as well as the support from Kids’ Chance of Illinois, has really boosted my academic confidence, as well as reduce the financial burden that college has placed on my family and on me. My hope is that after receiving my bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, I will be able to apply to PA (physician assistant) school, where I dream of working in orthopedics. I am incredibly honored to have been chosen as a recipient of the KCIL scholarship, and I hope to make my family, myself, and KCOI proud of my academic achievements.”