The Unit Five Education Association annually awards multiple $1,000 scholarships to current Unit 5 high school seniors, including students pursuing a career in education, the child of a UFEA member, and a student in need of financial assistance who plans to continue their education at a 4-year college, 2-year college, trade school, or in the military.
Phyllis Rosenbaum Scholarships
The Phyllis Rosenbaum Scholarship is awarded to two high school seniors — one at Normal Community and one at Normal West — who will pursue a career in education. This year’s Phyllis Rosenbaum Scholarship winners were Nina Osborne from NCHS and Bailey Rudge from NCWHS.
Nina plans to study ESL education at the University of Iowa. On her application, she shared: “I hope to teach English language learners … but I also want to find ways to build communities and utilize my understanding of the Spanish language to offer services to those needing aid” According to one her letters of recommendation: “Nina is a joyful and respectful student with high integrity and knowledge of who she wants to be. It will be exciting to see how Nina will use her intellect, curiosity and compassion to become a productive and leading member of our teaching community.”
Bailey plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in Communication and Science disorder at Illinois State, eventually becoming an Speech Language Pathologist. She shared: ” The experiences of volunteering at Special Olympics and my participation in the young athletes program have been such rewarding experiences that hold a special place in my heart, and I would like the chance to give back to the community even a fraction of what it has given me.” According to one of her letters of recommendation: “Bailey epitomizes the type of outstanding young people we want AND NEED in our great profession. She is a torch-bearer for all of those wonderful teachers that helped get her to where she is today.”
UFEA Scholarship
The UFEA Scholarship is awarded to the child of a UFEA member who is a high school senior. The 2023 UFEA Scholarship winner is Dylan Wehmeyer from NCHS. Dylan plans to attend Illinois State University where he will focus on secondary education. He’d like to get a degree as an English teacher and return to teach in Unit 5.
According to one of his letters of recommendation: “Endurance, perseverance, adaptability, the willingness to revise, and the desire to continue learning and improving; qualities that Dylan has in spades, will help him lead the next generations of students.”
The Impact Scholarship
The Impact Scholarship is awarded to a Unit 5 senior from either Unit 5 high school, who plans to continue their education after high school at a 2 or 4 year college, in the military or at trade school. This year’s Impact Scholarship winner is Ella McCully from NCWHS.
Ella plans to attend Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan to pursue a degree in English Education with a minor in History Education. According to one of her letters of recommendation: “While many students would be exhausted with so many roles on their plate, Ella has always worn a smile. Her confidence, self-discipline and positive outlook are admired and will continue to benefit her throughout life.”
More about UFEA Scholarships
Applications for UFEA Scholarship are available each spring. Eligible students are encouraged to apply, and applications are scored on a rubric. The UFEA Scholarship Committee, led by the Scholarship Chair, scores the applications and determines the recipients.
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