2024 Amina Grace Memorial Fund Scholarship Winners Announced!

The Amina Grace Memorial Fund partnered with the Maine South Parents’ Scholarship Club to offer the 2^nd annual Amina Grace Memorial Fund scholarships this year!  The Club reviewed all the applications that were submitted, and 5 deserving students were selected on our behalf.  The winners were announced at the Maine South High School Senior Honors Program ceremony in May.  

 Our scholarships were awarded to the applicants that demonstrated the highest level of leadership and involvement in advocating for and championing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness efforts for those with differing abilities.

 Today we highlight their inclusive activities and congratulate the four Amina Grace Memorial Fund scholarship winners!

 𝗟𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻 is a Junior at Maine South High School. Lily believes that being truly inclusive and loving what makes you different is something invaluable for all students. Inclusion isn’t just an activity for Lily, it’s a core value!

• Officer for Hawk Pals and has helped organize many events including holiday parties, Unified sports events and club fundraisers.
• Planned, executed and facilitated Respect Week the last 3 years.
• Planned and emceed the Unified Champion Banner School Assembly as a Hawks Pals Officer
• Initiated planned and executed Unified Drumline which had performances at the homecoming assembly, homecoming football gave and the Unified Champion Banner School assembly.
• Volunteered at the Special Olympics summer games as part of the Special Olympics Youth Leadership Experience.
• Participated in the Youth Activation Summit Full Day Event.

 “Unified Drumline has been my favorite inclusive activity so far because we brought together students who would not have otherwise been in the same classroom and gave them the opportunity to learn from each other and celebrate their differences. People often see differences as so vast that they cannot imagine building a friendship, but shared experiences like Unified Drumline bring us all together and help form new communities.”

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𝗔𝘃𝗮 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗸 is a Junior at Maine South High School. Ava found her community at Maine South in Hawk Pals. She’s made it her mission throughout her time at Maine South to ensure those younger than her will find theirs. 

• Currently Co-President for Hawk Pals and over the last 3 years has helped organize many events including Respect Week, National Inclusive Schools Week, Polar Plunge and National Banner Assembly.
• 1 of 5 Youth Leaders across the state to be selected as part of the Special Olympics Youth Leadership Summit. Ran social media accounts for Special Olympics Illinois.
• 1 of 3 students from Park Ridge selected to be part of the Youth Leadership Training at the Special Olympics Illinois headquarters where she learned how to promote an inclusive environment in a high school setting.
• Part of the Special Olympics Illinois Youth Activation Committee.
• Intern at the Amina Grace Memorial Fund where she was involved with efforts to support the Down syndrome and differing abilities communities.

 “I chose to get involved in the inclusion revolution after seeing the impact it makes on others. A small act of kindness can have a huge impact on individuals and the community as a whole.”

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𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧! Kara is a Junior at Maine South High School. Kara’s own struggle with hearing loss, something that makes her unique and different from her peers, has helped her understand the importance of inclusion. 

• Currently an officer for Hawk Pals and over the last 3 years has helped organize many events including Respect Week.
• Active on the Youth Activation Committee for the past two years.
• Volunteered at Avenues to Independence through Key Club.
• Volunteered at the Special Olympics summer games as part of the Special Olympics Youth Leadership Experience.
• Played soccer with a partner with a differing ability as part of the TOPSoccer program.

 “My favorite inclusive activity that I attended was the Youth Activation Committee Bootcamp! I met so many new people and created amazing connections with them while being a part of the Unified Generation!!”

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𝗖𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘇𝗼 is a Junior at Maine South High School. In addition to advocating for inclusion for people with differing abilities, Caitlin founded a school club called “Hawks for Type 1” dedicated to raising awareness for individuals with Type One Diabetes.

• Member of Hawk Pals participating in many activities and parties over the last two years including Ice cream socials, Maine West basketball tournament, pickleball and Respect Week.
• Hawk Pals Passing Period Pal the last two years.
• Volunteered at Avenues to Independence through Key Club.
• Intern at the Amina Grace Memorial Fund where she was involved with efforts to support the Down syndrome and differing abilities communities.

 “Over the past two years, I have most enjoyed walking with my friend Jane to her gym class every other day. She always brightens my morning, and I am going to miss chatting with her on our way to class when she graduates! On a broader level, my involvement with Hawk Pals and the Amina Grace Memorial Fund has instilled in me a lifelong appreciation for inclusivity, respect, and kindness, and I am excited to continue my commitment to these values in new ways in the future.”

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𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 is a Senior at Maine South High School. Andrew has participated in many different activities throughout his high school career, including starting a Marketing Club.

• Volunteered in Special Olympics and on activity days as part of Hawk Pals.
• Serves as a Teacher Aide as part of the St. Paul of the Cross Catechesis All Abilities Class where he leads and teaches students with special needs through games, crafts, music and reading exercises.
• Active member of SOAR (Students Organized Against Racism) – advocating for change through cross-racial understanding.

 “My favorite inclusive activity was volunteering in St.Paul’s Catechesis All Abilities Class. I spent a lot of time with students ranging in age from 5-14 years old and formed special bonds while completing activities and crafts with them. It was very fulfilling for me because I was a part of their religious journey in completing their sacraments of First Communion or Confirmation.”