Local Agency Honors College Bound Students

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Members of Ada S. McKinley's Educational Services staff distribute trunks to first time college bound students. In order to receive a trunk each student had to write an essay titled, "Why This Education Is Important Me." (Photo by Thelma Sardin)
Members of Ada S. McKinley's Educational Services staff distribute trunks to first time college bound students. In order to receive a trunk each student had to write an essay titled, "Why This Education Is Important Me." (Photo by Thelma Sardin)

by Thelma Sardin

Anxious high school graduates across the country are preparing to leave for college next month.

One local community agency is sending students off to college in a grand way.

Last Wednesday evening, Ada S. McKinley Educational Services held its third annual Trunk Scholarship Party.

The congratulatory celebration was held at the Walter C. McCrone Industries in Chicagos South Loop neighborhood.

Thirty-seven students were honored for their academic achievements. The agency provided the students with trunks filled with necessities for their first year in college. The trunk contents included: a mattress pad, pillow, blanket and crate and rollaway storage container filled with toiletries and other items.

I believe this is Christmas today, said Revie Sorey, Educational Director for Ada S. McKinley.

Sorey is a former member of the Chicago Bears and played with the team 8 seasons.

Former CBS 2 reporter/anchor, John Davis, served as the master of ceremonies for the evening.

We want to honor all of you tonight and say congratulations as we launch you into a fabulous experience in college, he said.

Davis also gave the students encouraging words.

You labored, you studied hard and youve accomplished this goalwe need every one of you to succeed.

The agency was able to award the trunks because of generous donations from organizations including the Mander Foundation, Midway Wholesalers and the Society of Industrial and Office Retailers.

In order to receive a trunk, each student had to write an essay titled, "Why This Education Is Important To Me."

We believe that each of these students truly understand why their education is important to them, Davis said of the thirty-seven recipients.

He noted that the selection committee believed one story stood out among the rest.

Nina Jackson, a Fenger High School graduate read her essay describing her harrowing experience freshman year of high school and why she decided to turn her life around.

When I was a freshman I lived in an unstable home. There was not an authority figure to require me to do school work or go to school. It was around this time I began to lose my confidence and direction, she said.

Jackson said her life changed for the better when she joined Storycatchers Theatre, a youth development arts organization. Through this outlet, she began writing, producing and acting in stage plays. She will attend Southern Illinois University in the fall.

The agency presented Jackson with a special gift for her extraordinary perseverance.

Taylor Willis, a graduate of Kenwood Academy High School will attend Spelman College. Due on campus, Aug. 13, Willis is relieved she received a trunk.

I really dont have to worry about the necessities for my room, she said.

Christopher Dean will attend Connecticut College in the fall and plans to major in economics and government. Leaving for school on Aug. 25, he is also grateful to have received a trunk. I dont have to spend a lot of money on getting stuff for college.

In addition, he thanks Ada S. McKinley for their assistance. I really appreciate the opportunity they gave me, he said.

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