The Amina Grace Memorial Fund partnered with the Maine South Parents’ Scholarship Club to offer the 4th 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!
Katie Johnston is a Senior at Maine South High School. Through the English Honor Society, Katie learned how to build a thriving community from scratch and how to impact a whole school with the power of literature.
Here are a few examples of her leadership and dedication to advocating for and advancing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness for individuals with differing abilities.
⭐️ Hawk Pride leader helping freshman students assimilate to the Maine South culture.
⭐️ Special Olympics – assisted a fully blind athlete with all her competitions, becoming her biggest cheerleader along the way.
⭐️ Volunteer for Knights of Columbus – assisting annually with their tootsie roll drive
“While helping a young blind athlete, I learned how blessed I was. I was her guide but also her biggest cheerleader. In those moments I knew that she didn’t give up because of her situation but allowed it to fuel her and inspire me.”
Sofia King is a Senior at Maine South High School. Sofia is a natural leader, hard worker and takes initiative and is not satisfied until the job is done right.
Here are a few examples of her leadership and dedication to advocating for and advancing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness for individuals with differing abilities.
⭐️ Special Olympics Polar Plunge volunteer assisting a group of Special Olympic athletes that were there to cheer on the plungers
⭐️ JCC Chicago Camp Counselor foster a positive and inclusive camp environment for all participants
“Over the past few years, getting involved with inclusion activities has allowed me not only to support others, but also grow into a more understanding person. I chose to get involved because I believe that everybody deserves to feel seen, valued, and included within their community and I've loved being part of something that creates that environment.”
Brenna Mazukelli is a Senior at Maine South High School. Brenna is thoughtful, kind and driven, with a deep sense of who she is and the positive difference she wants to make.
Here are a few examples of her leadership and dedication to advocating for and advancing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness for individuals with differing abilities.
⭐️ Hawk Pals member helping provide peer support to students with differing abilities
⭐️ Special Education PE Assistant helping classmates participate and be included in gym class
⭐️ Volunteer at Misericordia assisting individuals with differing abilities with activities
“My favorite inclusion activity has been being a PE leader in an inclusion gym class. Working as a special education PE leader has impacted me by teaching me patience, compassion, and the importance of inclusion; while showing me how meaningful it is to make every student feel seen and included. I have made so many meaningful relationships through this class and it has been the most rewarding experience of my years in high school.”
John Severino is a Senior at Maine South High School. Leadership and service are central to John’s character. He measures success by impact: the people he supports, the communities he helps and the examples he sets.
Here are a few examples of her leadership and dedication to advocating for and advancing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness for individuals with differing abilities.
⭐️ Hawk Pals inclusion mentor helping provide peer support to students with differing abilities
⭐️ Hawk Pride Leader helping guide Maine South students through their high school experience
⭐️ Hawk Links Peer Mentor helping new students from other schools or countries navigate their way through Maine South
⭐️Co-Founder and Leader for the ASL Club helping inform people about deaf and sign culture
“My favorite inclusion activity were the Hawk Links breakfasts where I got a chance to meet some of our new Hawks that transferred to our school.”
Alina Stasiv is a Senior at Maine South High School. Alina believes it is important to be kind, compassionate, and understanding in interactions with others as you may be the bright spot of someone else’s day.
Here are a few examples of her leadership and dedication to advocating for and advancing inclusion, acceptance, and awareness for individuals with differing abilities.
⭐️ Social Buddy with Have Dreams facilitating games, activities and cooking projects while assisting autistic participants with communication and socialization skills
⭐️ Hawk Pride Leader guiding freshman through their high school experience
⭐️ President of the Ukrainian Club fostering collaborations with other cultural organizations and helping others connect back to their Ukrainian roots
"In my four years at Maine South, I have found true meaning in my volunteer work at Have Dreams. As a social buddy, I have gained a lot of experience through facilitating games, activities, and cooking projects while assisting our participants with communication and socialization skills. This has inspired me to help others, and it has built empathy in me. This experience fostered a love of working with kids and inspired me to make a difference in my life."
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