2025 Amina Grace Memorial Fund Scholarship Winners Announced!

The Amina Grace Memorial Fund partnered with the Maine South Parents’ Scholarship Club to offer the 3rd 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 five Amina Grace Memorial Fund scholarship winners!

 

Lauren Geier is a Junior at Maine South High School. She credits Hawk Pals with helping to make her a better leader, problem solver and collaborator.

Here are some examples of her leadership and involvement in advocating for and championing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness efforts for those with differing abilities.

⭐️ Active member of Hawk Pals, serving on the Jr. Committee and Fundraising Committee, helping with the National Banner School assembly and Respect Week

⭐️ Camp SOAR Counselor

⭐️ Avenues to Independence volunteer as part of Key Club for all three of her years at Maine South

⭐️Participation in the Special Olympics Leadership Conference

⭐️ Part of the team that presented to 600 students on kindness at Roosevelt Elementary School.

“Hawk Pals and Special Olympics have been a highlight of inclusiveness these past three years. Through Hawk Pals I found out about Camp SOAR, the best part of my summer! Although not through Maine South, many students go as campers and counselors, amongst the many new people I got to meet. Camp SOAR was such an influential and valuable experience for me; I made so many genuine connections and got to experience inclusiveness first hand. I am so excited for another summer at SOAR and another year with Hawk Pals.”

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Ella Goldklang is a Junior at Maine South High School.  Ella is proud to have encouraged a more inclusive and empathetic school and local community. She leads by example as she gives back on a regular basis.

Here are some examples of her leadership and involvement in advocating for and championing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness efforts for those with differing abilities.

⭐️ Has raised $5,000+ through Meaningful Muffins by Ella which has been donated to local organizations that support the differing abilities communities

⭐️Volunteers twice a week as a Have Dreams Social Buddy where she participates in various social activities with youth with autism.

⭐️Has served as a Guest Barista at Will’s Place, working alongside their neurodiverse staff members.

“My favorite inclusion activity has been starting my business, Meaningful Muffins, and using my platform to advocate for inclusion for all. I also enjoy being a social buddy at Have Dreams twice a week, where I help the students through various social skills activities. I was first inspired to get involved with inclusion activities because my older brother is a part of the differing abilities community, and since a young age, it has been my mission to foster a more inclusive world for amazing individuals like him.”

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Ava Jurek is a senior at Maine South High School. Through her various leadership roles, she has worked to make Maine South a more inclusive environment where everyone feels like part of the community.

Here are some examples of her leadership and involvement in advocating for and championing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness efforts for those with differing abilities.

⭐️Hawk Pals member all 4 years and current Co-President, helping plan Respect Week, National Inclusive Schools Week, the National Banner Assembly and the Polar Plunge.

⭐️Special Olympics Youth Activation Committee – 2 years as a board member

⭐️Special Olympics Youth Leadership Summit Youth Leader and Trainer

⭐️Unified Sport Coach, coaching Special Olympic Athletes in soccer, snowshoe and bowling

⭐️ Part of the team that presented to 600 students on kindness at Roosevelt Elementary School.

“I chose to get involved in disability awareness and inclusion initiatives after seeing the impact it made on others. After I attended the Special Olympics Summer Games in the summer of my freshman year, I saw inclusion on a massive scale and just a small fraction of the enormous group of people it supports. Here, I witnessed that one person can truly change the world.” 

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Maeve Raferty is a senior at Maine South High School. Whether she is working with a team or volunteering in the community, she brings people together and makes everyone feel welcome.

Here are some examples of her leadership and involvement in advocating for and championing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness efforts for those with differing abilities.

⭐️Current Hawk Pals Co-President, helping organize events such as Respect Week, Polar Plunge, Unified Champion Banner School assembly, holiday parties and more

⭐️ Participated in the Youth Leadership during the Special Olympics Summer games

⭐️Volunteered at GiGi’s Playhouse Deerfield – helping with art and karate classes. 

“The inclusion activity that I have enjoyed most over the past 4 years has been Hawk Pals! Through this club I have made so many friendships and have learned so much about how to be more inclusive and make sure everyone feels welcome! I chose to get involved in Hawk Pals because I wanted to promote an inclusive community throughout the school!” 

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Lily Heneghan is a senior at Maine South High School. Lily has learned about empathy, leadership and dedication through the many activities she has been involve din as part of the Maine South community.

Here are some examples of her leadership and involvement in advocating for and championing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness efforts for those with differing abilities.

⭐️Hawk Pals Member and Officer, helping to plan and execute club events, collaborating with other school committees and interfacing with teachers and staff

⭐️Initiated, planned and executed Unified Drumline – culminating in performances at the homecoming assembly, homecoming football game and Unified Champion Banner School assembly

⭐️Youth Leadership Experience at the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games – leading a station at a “Young Athletes” event to help children ages 2-7practive motor skills and hand-eye coordination

⭐️Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation (MNASR) summer camp inclusion aid

“I chose to get involved because I saw the impact that inclusivity can make on someone. Inclusivity has become a core value of mine and I’m so glad I’ve been able to be a part of a truly inclusive environment. My favorite inclusive activity has been Unified Drumline at Maine South because it was amazing to be able to share a musical experience with all my friends from Hawk Pals!”