The Frankfort Square Park District awarded $1,000 scholarships to eight graduating seniors from Lincoln-Way East High School at the school’s Community Scholarship Night on May 7.

Park Board Commissioners Frank Florentine and Phil Cherry represented the district at the event, presenting checks to the students. This year’s recipients are Addison Blievernicht, Samantha Lewandowski, Olivia Meister, Ethan Philbin, Abigail Salgado, Clara Schutzius, Kayla Toman, and Kiera Wirth.

Executive Director Audrey Marcquenski praised the students in her May report, calling them “eight well-deserving high school seniors.”

The scholarship program is a point of pride for the district, which contributed significantly to the community-wide effort. According to a summary from the Lincoln-Way East Pupil Personnel Services office, 77 local organizations sponsored 169 scholarships for 136 different students, totaling $152,100. The Frankfort Square Park District’s $8,000 in awards accounted for over 5% of that total.

The grand total awarded to students that night, including major awards like the Chick Evans and Naval ROTC scholarships, was more than $1.1 million.

The park district’s scholarship fund is supported by proceeds from its annual golf outing and the generosity of community donors.