209 Scholarship awarded for 10th year

On July 31, 209 Scholarship invited this year’s recipients, renewal scholars and their family members for its annual awards ceremony; this year marks 10 years. Held in the Fred Hampton Social Justice Room at Proviso East High School, the event was accompanied by light jazz and a catered dinner.  

Throughout the ceremony, everyone who was awarded a scholarship had the opportunity to share their educational aspirations and goals. The major theme of the night was that the road ahead won’t be easy, but the reward of continuing higher education is worth it in the end. 

“Tonight is especially meaningful because we are celebrating 10 years of investing in dreams, education and futures [of] District 209 students,” said Eileen Olivier, president of 209 Scholarship. 

Three recent graduates from each of the Proviso flagships were awarded $1,000 each. The 21 renewal scholars had $10,500 in awards distributed amongst them. 

“To our scholars, I just like to say tonight is about you,” Olivier said. “It’s about your hard work. It’s about your perseverance. It’s about your courage, your determination to what brought you to this moment.”  

2026 scholarship recipients: 

Proviso Mathematics & Science Academy 

Proviso East High School 

• Nya Postley – Southern University and A&M College for Elementary Education 

• Essence Neal – Northern Illinois University for Nursing 

• Danielle Espinoza – Triton College for Dental Hygiene 

Proviso West High School 

• Naima Turner – Alabama State University for Biology (Pre-Health) 

• Alexa Sibrava – University of Texas at Arlington for Nursing 

• Rafael Martinez – US Army, Studying Technical Power Generation/Electrician  

Martinez was the first Proviso scholar studying a trade to be awarded the 209 Scholarship. He will be in the military for three years before pursuing a career as an electrician, according to his mother, who accepted his award in his place. 

“Thank you to everyone who’s currently out in the military,” she said. 

2026 renewals recognized at the ceremony: 

• Marelin Arteaga (2025) 

• Amya Branch (2023) 

• Da’Miah Carter (2025) 

• Antonio Gasse (2025) 

• Camari Ingram (2024) 

• Jerry Johnson (2025) 

• Micalea Jones (2025) 

• Daniel Moraga (2025) 

• Shanice Nichols (2022) 

• Maeve Schoo (2025) 

• Cristobal Soto (2021) 

• Favian Soto (2023) 

“The scholarships they provided for our students speak for themselves,” Randall McFarland, the master of ceremonies, told the Review before the presentations. “These are brilliant, brilliant human beings, and we’re looking forward to them going out and doing great things in the world.” 

When looking to the community for allies, 209 Scholarship is one of the greatest, McFarland, who is also the president of the community group Best of Proviso Township, said 209 Scholarship is one of the greatest when it comes to their students and families’ participation in the community.  

“It’s very important that they understand that we have their back, no matter where they are at. They can always call us, and we’ll be there for them,” McFarland said. 

Dulce Rivera, a 2022 scholarship recipient who recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in recreation, sport and tourism management, was asked to give a scholar recognition at the ceremony.  She provided the new recipients with knowledge and encouragement to keep advancing their education. 

“It’s definitely been a great extra resource to have,” Rivera told the Review before the ceremony. Knowing you have something to rely on within a community has been a great resource, she added. 

While Rivera was offered a full ride at U of I, expenses like food and groceries were still something she needed to worry about.  

Even with the relief of not having to pay for attendance, “every little penny counts with this scholarship, especially after renewing it time after time,” she said. “Those small expenses do add up as time goes on, and not everything is as cheap as you want it to be.” 

When asked what advice she has for anyone who is thinking about applying for this scholarship, Rivera said, “Just do it.” 

“Even if it seems like it’s a really big risk, do it,” Rivera said. “You never know what’ll come out of it, whether that is good or bad – and something always leads to something.” 

In her speech, Rivera talked about how her initial path to a degree looked a lot different than what ended up happening. 

“When I tell you it did not go that way, it surely did not, which is completely normal and totally OK,” she said in her speech. 

The majority of the renewal scholars who were recognized shared the same sentiment. Many of them thought they knew what their higher-education experience would be like before starting; however, that is not how it turned out. 

But they all persevered through the challenges they faced, with the help of the 209 Scholarship. 

“One of the themes of this evening: a lot of people talked about the road is not always easy,” said Ken Snyder, Vice President of 209 Scholarship. “Things are not always easy, but we have opened ourselves to succeed, and that’s really the story of 209 Scholarship. We’ve been here for 10 years, which is pretty incredible. Every dime that we raise for these scholarships for the last 10 years comes from this community.” 

Over the last decade, 209 Scholarship has awarded 96 Proviso Township High Schools District 209 students. 

“Whether you’re continuing your education at a college or university, pursuing vocational training or preparing to serve our country, we want you to know that your community believes in you,” Olivier said. 

Emma Bradford is an intern for NEWSWELL CHICAGO through Report for America’s Local News Internship Program.