The Superintendent’s Scholarship program began ten years ago as a way to uplift first-generation students and to recognize both their unique challenges and their inspiring triumphs.  

This year, the U-46 Educational Foundation was proud to partner with School District U-46 and our many generous donors to provide 20 scholarships to deserving first-generation students from Bartlett, Elgin, Larkin, South Elgin, and Streamwood High Schools.  These students have faced many challenges, but, through it all, they have forged ahead, and come out on top.  Among our 2022 recipients are honor roll students, dual language students, academy students, National Honors Society members, all-conference athletes, students who have earned the State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy, and a senior class president.  Throughout their high school careers they were role models and leaders, and now, they are Superintendent’s Scholars. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2022 Superintendent's Scholars!

Giselle Aguilera, Larkin High School

• Awards - Honor Roll, Larkin HS Quarterly celebration, State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy
• Activities - NHS, Larkin Hispanic Association, Adelante Club, Community Volunteer
• Dual Language Student, AVID Student
• Career Goal - Accountant

Martha (Jenny) Alba-Reza, Elgin High School

• Awards - Honor Roll, State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy
• Activities - Tennis
• Dual Language Student
• Career Goal - Nurse or Physician’s Assistant
• College - Aurora University

Alberto Bonilla, Larkin High School

• Awards - Academic All-Conference for Volleyball, Honor Roll, ISAC State Scholar, State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy, Solo and Ensemble performance medals
• Activities - Volleyball, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, Larkin Hispanic Association, Alpha Mu Theta Society (Math Honors Society), Tri-M, Larkin Speech Team, Chess Team
• Visual and Performing Arts Academy Student
• Career Goal - Registered Nurse

Samantha Elizalde, Elgin High School 

• Awards - Honor Roll; 1st place award for Best World Issues Presentation, EHS Dual Language Program, State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy
• Activities - Student Council, Announcer for “Maroon Buzz Weekly”, Maroon Minds Matter, Dual Language Student Mentor, Tennis
• Dual Language Student
• Career Goal - Clinical Psychologist or Neuropsychologist
• College - University of Chicago

Shelsy Estrada, Larkin High School

• Awards - Honor Roll, State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy, BLS Provider award for CPR and AED, PBIS Grade and Attendance Recognition, AVID Grade recognition
• Activities - NHS, Soccer, Basketball, Life After Larkin, Hispanic Association Club, Adelante Club, Community Volunteer
• AVID Student
• Career Goal - Clinical Psychologist

Crystal George, Larkin High School 

• Awards - Honor Roll, invited to join the National Society of High School Scholars
• Activities - Badminton
• Career Goal - Social Worker

Alexandra Godinez Lopez, Elgin High School 

• Awards - Honor Roll, AVID leadership role, Best Infielder in Softball
• Activities - Volleyball, Softball, Senior Leader, Part-time Work, Community Volunteer
• Career Goal - Run Family Candy Business, Dulces Clara
• College - Undecided

Mckenzie Gonzalez, Streamwood High School 

• Awards - Honor Roll
• Activities - Cheerleading, Basketball, Theater Tech, Co-Director Uprising Club, Art Club, Science Olympiad, Sabre News Network
• AVID student
• Career Goals - Wildlife Veterinarian, Conservationist, or Environmental Engineer

Johnnie Grayson, Elgin High School 

• Activities - Track, Part-time Work, Art/Drawing
• AVID student
• College - Harper College

Nina Istomina, Bartlett High School 

• Awards - 2019 Distinguished Hawk Award
• Activities - Completed CNA Training and Passed the State CNA exam, Award-winning Piano Player
• Came to the United States 3 years ago from Ukraine and did not speak English
• Career Goal - Nurse
• College - College of DuPage

Daniela Lopez, Elgin High School

• Awards - Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, National Spanish Exam Medal, State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy
• Activities - Class Council, Freshman Mentor, National Honor Society, Tech Club, Thespian Society, Drama Club
• Dual Language Student
• College - Elgin Community College

Vanessa Mancera, Elgin High School 

• Awards - Honor Roll, National Spanish Exam Gold Medal, State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy
• Activities - Hispanic Club, Freshman Mentor, Basketball, Preschool Connection Teacher, Part-time Work
• Moved to the U.S. in seventh grade, and did not speak English.
• Dual Language Student, Dual Credit Student
• Career Goal - Criminal Defense Attorney
• College - DePaul University

Julissa Navarro, Larkin High School 

• Awards - Royal Student of the Month, AVID award, Honor Roll, Spanish National Honor Society, Perfect Attendance, Student Excellence Award
• Activities - YMCA Camp Edwards Leader, Kids United, Part-time Work, Community Volunteer
• AVID Student, Dual Language Student
• College - Northern Illinois University to study sociology

Jenny Nguyen, Elgin High School

• Awards - Honor Roll, Student of the Month, President’s List of Distinction at Elgin Community College, 2nd place in the EMT category at Illinois state HOSA competition
• Activities - Track, Class Council, HOSA, Best Buddies, Our Minds Matter, National Honors Society,  
• Fluent in Vietnamese.  Learned English as a U-46 student.
• Dual Credit Student
• Career Goal - Biomedical Engineer
• College - Northwestern University

Roxanna Ojeda, Bartlett High School 

• Activities -  Orchestra (violin), Tri-M, Latinos Unidos, Badminton, Youth Leadership Academy at ECC
• Career Goal - Therapist to alleviate the stigma of mental health in the Hispanic and Latin community
• College - Elgin Community College

Jasmin Perez, Elgin High School 

• Awards - High Honor Roll, National Spanish Exam Silver Medal, State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy, Hanover Township Volunteer Leadership Award, All-Academic Varsity Soccer, Student of the Month, Top 10%, Bronze winner Hispanic Heritage Award
• Activities - Future Teachers Club, Soccer, Volleyball, Student Council, Best Buddies,  Freshman Mentor, NHS, Part-time Work, Community Volunteer
• AVID Student
• Career Goal - Math Teacher

Daniel Plewa, South Elgin High School 

• Awards - High Honor Roll, 1st place - Kazimierz Pulaski Essay Contest, 1st Place - Tadeusz Kosciuszko Essay Contest, 1st place, two years in a row - Najlepszy z Najlepszych Best Student Award from Polish School 
• Activities - Soccer, Volleyball, Track, National Honors Society, Director of Sports Broadcasts, Co-founder of Polish Club, Radio Club, Interact Volunteer Club, Church Volunteer, Actor in Multiple Musicals, Friday Lightning News Crew, DECA, Part-time Work, Community Volunteer
• BEACON Academy Student, AVID student
• Career Goal - Business Administration

Jesus Vargas, Elgin High School 

• Awards - State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy
• Activities - Model UN, French Club, Science Olympiad, DECA, tennis, Community Volunteer, Part-time Work
• Gifted and Talented Academy Student
• College - Columbia University, NY, on a full Questbridge Scholarship, studying political science or law

Aileen Vilchez, Elgin High School 

• Awards - State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy
• Activities - Elgin Allies, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, ASL Club, Works 30-40 hours per week as a manager at CPA
• AVID student
• Career Goal - Cardiologist
• College - Aurora University

Jeslyn White, Streamwood High School

• Awards - AVID Freshman Leader, 
• Activities - AVID Freshman Leader, National Honors Society, U-46 Leadership Summit, Sophomore Class Officer, Junior Class Officer, Senior Class President, Karate, Part-time Work, Community Volunteer
• AVID Student
• Career Goals - Business Administration

Click here to see photos from the April 20, 2022 reception honoring the Superintendent's Scholarship recipients. 

Revisit the 2021 Superintendent's Scholarship Recipients!