WORLD SPORT CHICAGO ANNOUNCES
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
By Paul Slomski, WSC Contributor
World Sport Chicago (WSC) has selected 56 student athletes as its inaugural 2010 WSC Scholars class. The winning students have demonstrated a high level of commitment to athletics, academics and Olympic values. They will all receive Kaplan ACT tutoring and participate in the Chicago Scholars Mentoring Program to help them successfully prepare for their post-secondary education.
High school juniors who live and attend school (public, private, parochial or home school) in Chicago, maintain a 2.0 G.P.A. and have played one of 28 approved Olympic/Paralympic sports for at least two seasons in the last three years were eligible to apply. Athletes of all levels were encouraged to apply and completed a rigorous application process that included submitting essays and recommendations to demonstrate their commitment to Olympic values of Respect, Excellence and Friendship on the playing field, in the classroom and throughout their community.
Petrina LaFaire, a 17 year-old student athlete from Northside College Prep and WSC Scholar emphasized the positive effect sports has on her academics, and explained, “sports play such a vital role in how I manage my school work and I was excited to share those sentiments in the application process.”
The 56 scholars are expected to fulfill additional requirements during their senior year giving two presentations on the spirit of Olympic sports to local schools or youth sports organizations. Courtney Young, a 16 year-old student athlete at Walter Payton College Prep and WSC Scholar is looking forward to fulfilling her duties and stated, “I am excited about this program because it is a good way for young athletes to come together, I love meeting new people and helping to give back.”
Additionally, they will interview this spring with a selection committee and compete for 16 renewable college scholarships of $10,000 per year, supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Winners will be able to apply the money to tuition, room and board at any 4-year accredited institution. Christian Mangio, a 17 year-old Junior from Northtown Academy, a basketball player and WSC Scholar, is excited about the opportunity and expressed his appreciation, “It’s nice to know that there is a program that appreciates my hard work in athletics and school work.”
The WSC Scholars Program was created to help Chicago student-athletes prepare for and succeed in college and to motivate younger Chicago students to pursue athletics and academics. For complete eligibility requirements and 2011 application announcements please visit the WSC Scholars website.