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The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln has awarded 102 scholarships and scholarship renewals for 2026, totaling nearly $230,000. The awards were made possible through charitable scholarship funds established by more than 45 individuals, families, and organizations committed to supporting local students and educational opportunities.
With this year’s awards, the Community Foundation has distributed more than $2.7 million in scholarships over the past 22 years, helping hundreds of students pursue higher education and career goals.
A highlight of the scholarship program is the Student of the Year Award. The Community Foundation is marking its 12th year administering the local (Sangamon County) Student of the Year program, funded through the Susan Cook House Educational Trust.
The 2026 Student of the Year recipients are:
- Student of the Year: Chelsea Dekock, Springfield High School, recipient of a $10,000 scholarship.
- First Runner-Up: Alexander Heyen, Springfield High School, and Evan House, Glenwood High School, each receiving a $5,000 scholarship.
- Second Runner-Up: Owen Johnson, Pleasant Plains High School, and Grace Weakley, Lanphier High School, each receiving a $2,500 scholarship.
“The Community Foundation’s scholarship program reflects the generosity of donors who believe in investing in the future of local students,” said John Stremsterfer, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “These scholarships represent more than financial assistance—they reflect our community’s commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, skilled trades workers, innovators and more.”
Students interested in applying for scholarships through the Community Foundation can begin submitting applications on January 1, 2027. The application deadline is March 1, 2027.
For more information about the scholarship program or establishing a scholarship fund, contact the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln at (217) 789-4431 or visit CFLL.org.
-MORE (list of recipients following)-
2026 Community Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Ada McCombs White Memorial Teacher Scholarship
Abby Taft, A-C Central High School, $1,200
American Legion Post 32 Scholarship
Alexander Heyen, Springfield High School, $2,000
Carter Matteson, Lutheran High School, $2,000
Lauren Michael, Glenwood High School, $1,000
Anthony Benson Memorial Scholarship
Josephine Oke, Springfield High School, $2,000
Auntie Barb/Held Family Service Scholarship
Madilyn Barnes, Lincolnwood High School, $1,500
Ben and Margaret Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Bailey Leach, Pleasant Plains High School, $900
Brody Wilson Memorial Scholarship
Isabelle Turley, Williamsville High School, $1,000
Camp Care-A-Lot Scholarship
Chelsea Currie, Springfield Southeast High School, $3,500
CFLL Service Scholarship
Caleb Laudeman, Williamsville High School, $2,000
Charlie Cottle Scholarship
Blake Lehnen, Glenwood High School, $3,000
COUNTRY Financial Community Scholarship
Grace Anselment, Springfield High School, $2,000
Alyssa Aubuschon, Mount Olive High School, $2,000
Claire Burke, Pleasant Plains High School, $2,000
Levi German, Nokomis High School, $2,000
Alexander Heyen, Springfield High School, $2,000
Jada Jackson, Springfield Southeast High School, $2,000
Veronica Miller, Williamsville High School, $2,000
Braelyn Smith, Lanphier High School, $2,000
Adelynn Wilcoxon, Greenview Jr/Sr High School, $2,000
Ashley Zeibert, Rochester High School, $2,000
Davey Scholarship
Eva Sampson, Springfield Southeast High School, $5,000
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship
Sharrif Bobbitt, MacArthur High School, $1,000
Dajah Dean, Springfield Southeast High School, $1,000
Jacqueline January, MacArthur High School, $1,000
Kamryn Johnson, MacArthur High School, $1,000
Brooklyn Joiner, Lanphier High School, $1,000
A'Tyla Jones-Shephard, Lanphier High School, $1,000
Zyeire Rye, Springfield Southeast High School, $1,000
Eva Sampson, Springfield Southeast High School, $1,000
Andreas Walker, Maroa-Forsyth High School, $1,000
Jack Young, Glenwood High School, $1,000
Don W. Estaque Jr. Scholarship
Arica Suits, Lanphier High School, $2,000
Dr. Ruth Richardson Memorial Scholarship
Rachel Becker, Springfield High School, $5,300
Fred E. Droste Memorial Scholarship
Isaiah Burdell, Litchfield High School, $1,200
Frontiers J.D. Washington Scholarship
Starrez Curry, $3,000
Rammie Gender, Lutheran High School, $2,000
Charles Holloway IV, $3,000
Frontiers James Forstall Scholarship
Jocelyn Anderson, Springfield High School, $1,000
Gloria Ayilisungu, Springfield High School, $1,000
Kendall Barnes, Lanphier High School, $1,000
Chelsea Dekock, Springfield High School, $1,000
Myracle Gayfield, Springfield Southeast High School, $1,000
Aidyn Kent, Springfield High School, $1,000
Harrison Ngo, Springfield High School, $1,000
Bentley Paul, Lutheran High School, $1,000
Evan Powell, Pleasant Plains High School, $1,000
Eva Sampson, Springfield Southeast High School, $1,000
Meara Seelbach, Springfield High School, $1,000
Isabella Wilkinson, Riverton High School, $1,000
Gerald F. and Luanna R. Kennedy Scholarship
Gwenyth Clavin, Pana Senior High School, $2,000
Girls on the Run Founders' Scholarship
Madigan Burger, New Berlin High School, $1,500
Natalie Nichols, Rochester High School, $1,500
Cassie Waterman, Williamsville High School, $1,500
Ila M. Skelton Scholarship
Erik Brandon, Jr., Auburn High School, $3,500
Chelsea Dekock, Springfield High School, $3,500
Illinois Women in Leadership - Chrysalis Scholarship
Vera Riney, University of Illinois Springfield, $2,000
Illinois Women in Leadership - High School Scholarship
Chelsea Dekock, Springfield High School, $2,000
Nyah Gronewold, Lutheran High School, $2,000
Josephine Oke, Springfield High School, $2,000
Delaynie Raufer, Rochester High School, $2,000
Jamie K. Patino Math and Science Scholarship
Lindsay Althea Auguis, Springfield Southeast High School, $1,200
Jean Lee Hiller Memorial Scholarship
Josie Heberling, Taylorville High School, $4,500
Jim Byron Scholarship
Chelsea Clack, Williamsville High School, $1,000
Jim Muller Build a Better Future Scholarship
Owen Alderman, Athens Senior High School, $750
Nathan Dudley, Porta High School, $750
Tristan Shaub, Porta High School, $750
John and Judy Woodruff Performing Arts Scholarship
Paige Zemsky, Rochester High School, $1,000
Joseph and Lois Morris Memorial Scholarship
Gloria Ayilisungu, Springfield High School, $1,000
Clarence Davis, Springfield High School, $2,000
Joseph and Lois Morris Memorial Scholarship
Chelsea Dekock, Springfield High School, $4,000
Harrison Ngo, Springfield High School, $1,500
Linda S. Culver Memorial Scholarship
Payton Heise, Springfield High School, $10,000
Kayleigh Trimm, Bunker Hill High School, $10,000
Emma Wiker, Athens Senior High School, $10,000
Lori L. Kashmer Scholarship
Cassie Waterman, Williamsville High School, $3,500
Mary Lou and Dwight Pitman Scholarship
Dallas Alavazarez, Auburn High School, $1,000
Mid-Illinois Communications Association Scholarship
Braden Nuttall, Clinton Community High School, $1,000
MMBL Scholarship
Abriana Moss, Lanphier High School, $3,700
Nicholas Debrun Hands On Memorial Scholarship
Brodey VanHooser, Morrisonville High School, $3,000
Paul V. Gage Community Service Scholarship
Ethan Hook, Vienna High School, $2,000
Pearl Fairfield Scholarship
Isabella Wilkinson, Riverton High School, $1,200
Polly W. Roesch Vocal Music Scholarship
Maria Crowder, Williamsville High School, $1,000
Reverend Kenneth H. White and Evelyn N. White Scholarship
Adrianna Russell, Lanphier High School, $1,400
Braelyn Smith, Lanphier High School, $1,400
Roland Machinery Scholarship
Jett Karrick, Porta High School, $1,000
Sgt. John R. Dalhaus Memorial Vocational Scholarship
Carter Sies, Gillespie High School, $1,000
SAHBA Robert E. Von Behren Memorial Scholarship
Paxton Moe, Glenwood High School, $1,100
Tom and Dee O'Brien Scholarship for the Study of Nursing
Ashley Bock, Greenview Jr/Sr High School, $4,000
Alyssa Caldwell, Triopia Jr/Sr High School, $4,000
Taylor Keihn, Lincoln Land Community College, $4,000
Cassie Waterman, Williamsville High School, $4,000
W.G. Bird Teachers' Scholarship
Miah McKain, Auburn High School, $1,900
Walter and Polly Roesch Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Scholarship
Eric Mason, Lanphier High School, $1,000
World War II Illinois Descendants Scholarship
Bryce Gillock, Nokomis High School, $2,000
Josie Proctor, Edwardsville High School, $2,000
