We are excited to introduce you to our 2023 scholarship recipients. All of these students applied through an essay that was reviewed by members of our Board of Directors. We can do this thanks to the generous financial support of our alumni.
2023 Scholarship Recipients
Anita Brechtel Falcon Spirit Award
We are excited to share with you the 2023 recipient of the Anita Brechtel Falcon Spirit Award – Anne Alexander
I will be attending Illinois State University. I’m currently undecided but looking into the business field. I am so honored to receive the Anita BrechtelFalconSpiritScholarship. Thank you to the Wheaton North Alumni Association for recognizing my hard work and dedication. This scholarship will help me achieve my academic goals.
2023 Vogel Scholarship for Excellence in Sports
Devin Medina is this year’s recipient of the Vogel Scholarship for excellence in the sport of wrestling
“I will be going to Aurora University for my first 4 years of college, I anticipate studying in the field of Psychology and this scholarship will majorly help me with my first year expenses and make it a lot easier for me to pay them off”
2023 Gil Lehman Music Scholarship
We are proud to introduce Zach Rea who is our Gil Lehman Music Scholarship recipient this year
“I am extremely honored to be the 2023 recipient of the Gil Lehman Music Scholarship. The Wheaton North Band program has been the cornerstone of my high school experience. When I came into the program as a painfully shy freshman, I knew immediately that band was a place where my voice mattered. My growth as a musician and a leader was encouraged from the first day of school. Like Mr. Lehman, our current band director believes band should be a welcoming place where everyone can find a place to thrive. The idea that music is wide enough for everyone made perfect sense to me and I wanted to be a part of that welcoming legacy. As I moved from a section leader in the marching band to a drum major, I talked to all the band members and realized there are as many reasons for being in the band program as there are students. Embracing this diversity taught me how to inspire and lead different groups of people. It taught me how to listen and guide conflict resolution. It taught me the value of planning and the need for a strong work ethic. And it made me an effective and encouraging teacher. The Wheaton North Band program shaped my future in ways far beyond the music, but there was also plenty of music with four years in the highest curricular band, Jazz Ensemble, Flight Band, pit orchestra, and marching band.
My time in the Wheaton North Band program may be over, but the lessons I learned will never fade. I am so grateful for the Gil Lehman Scholarship which will help with tuition as I pursue a business degree at the Gies School of Business at University of Illinois.”
Janene Edgerley Spratt Visual Arts Scholarship
These two students were selected by the Fine and Visual Arts Department to be the inaugural recipients of the Janene Edgerley Spratt Visual Arts Scholarship. This is a new scholarship this year in memory of Janene who was a former Board member for the WNHS Alumni Association. Janene passed away very unexpectedly at the end of last summer. Those who were close to Janene were encouraged to donate to the Alumni Association in her memory, to develop a scholarship for students in the visual arts – one of Janene’s passions.
Alexis Johnson-majoring in Graphic Design at College of DuPage.
“Thank you so much, it’s really an honor. I’ll be going to College of Dupage this fall to continue pursuing graphic design as a career. Though the cost of tuition at COD is low on its own, a loan is extremely helpful. I am now more encouraged than ever to continue on in the visual arts world and gain more and more experience in the field.”
Emily Atkinson-going to Olivet Nazarene University majoring in Graphic Design with a concentration in Photography
“Next year I’m attending Olivet Nazarene University and will be studying Graphic Design and Marketing with a Photography concentration!! These funds will really help me pursue what I’m passionate for which is art.”
2023 Wheaton North High School Alumni Association Scholarship
Congratulations to our Scholarship recipient, Ashley Huang. She is off to the University of Illinois-Chicago in the fall! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Ashley and appreciate your help in making a difference in her education.
I would like to first thank the Wheaton North Alumni Association for supporting me as I continue my education. I am proud to say that Wheaton North has made me into the person I am today, as the support of the faculty members and my peers have created an environment that pushed me to pursue my passions and explore new areas. Without the opportunity to become a Student Council Officer, a role in which Mrs. Nilles and Mrs. Eaton have provided unending support, I never would have grown into a more confident speaker and outspoken leader. I am also especially grateful for the unwavering encouragement of my coaches and teammates that have pushed me to become not only the best athlete I can be but also a hardworking learner. These skills that I have grown at Wheaton North have inspired me to commit to a career in medicine, as I plan to study Integrated Health Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago through their GPPA Medicine program, which allows me conditional acceptance into their medical school to pursue my M.D.
Congratulations to another scholarship winner, Molly Robben! She is attending Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She is another shining student we were able to help thanks to all of your donations!
I am truly honored to have been selected as a recipient of the Wheaton North High School Alumni Association Scholarship. Wheaton North has helped me grow in many ways, and I am so grateful to have been a student here. When I started high school, I was quiet and frequently too nervous to participate in class discussions. However, the warm friendship I received from my classmates, as well as the unwavering support from my teachers, have allowed me to grow into someone who is unafraid to speak their mind in the classroom and, for the first time, use my voice. While at North, I have also participated in many activities, but the highlight was my time on the Wheaton Co-op Swim Team. I learned how to work hard, make friends, be a responsible leader, and much more. My positive experiences here at North have shaped me into the person I am today, and I cannot wait to use my knowledge and skills in college. I am continuing my education at Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. I am considering studying either astronomy or linguistics and languages. I am confident that whatever I choose, my time at Wheaton North will have prepared me for the future.
-Sofia Dracopoulos
We are proud to introduce the 2023 Scholarship Recipient Lauren Ngyuen. She is off to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and we are grateful for her kind words and proud to be a part of her educational journey.
“I would like to start by thanking the Wheaton North Alumni Association for awarding me this scholarship and supporting me as continue my education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I plan on studying Neural Engineering. I have cherished every moment I’ve spent at Wheaton North, as it has shaped me into a well-rounded leader and allowed me to pursue a multitude of interests, hobbies and goals.
As a member of Future Leaders in STEM and High Schools Against Cancer, I grew a strong interest in medical-based engineering which I intend to pursue in the future. Through the compassionate co-officers and sponsors of Key club, I learned of the importance of lending a helping hand without reward, allowing me to transfer that value into my future endeavors. I’m incredibly grateful for the Wheaton North faculty, who undoubtedly shaped me into an avid learner and hardworking individual, urging me to strive for excellence. Every teacher I’ve crossed paths with during my time at North has encouraged me to try and fail, despite my previous need for perfection.
At the University of Illinois, I’m eager to take advantage of the plethora of research opportunities related to the central nervous system while also continuing my hobbies in music and writing. Again, I am so appreciative of this scholarship and WN Alumni Association’s generosity!”
2023 Boost Scholarship
Join us in congratulating Charlotte Majszak, one of our 2023 Boost Scholarship winners! We are proud of Charlotte as she continues her education at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
My name is Charlotte Majszak and to begin I want to thank the Wheaton North Alumni Association for this scholarship and all of the amazing donors! Starting my first day freshman year I felt so welcomed into the school and its caring community continued supporting me through all four years, from the amazing staff and teachers who truly love teaching and care so much about their students to all of the students who care so much about each other and want to see their classmates do their best. Every class, club and sport I have participated in has taught me so much inside and outside of the classroom. Sophomore year I started playing tennis, a sport I had never played before but all of my teammates and wonderful coaches who are also teachers made me feel so welcome and challenged me to give my all. As for the next chapter of my life I will be studying business at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. I can’t wait to continue to grow as a person and student and be able to take everything I have learned from Wheaton North with me. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity so thank you again to the Alumni Association for this scholarship and to Wheaton North for everything!
2023 Wheaton North High School Alumni Association Boost scholarship recipient Sus Su Mon
First of all, I would like to start off by showing my appreciation to the Wheaton North Alumni Association for helping me achieve my dreams. I am someone who immigrated from a small country to here with the hope of better opportunities. My parents worked hard to pay for our house bills and other expenses. They couldn’t pay a penny for my oldest brother’s tuition so I worked hard just like my brother so that I can get into a good college and make them proud. Everyday I worry about my tuition but now I am awarded this scholarship so I can be at ease. I am honored to be awarded this scholarship. I wouldn’t get this scholarship without Wheaton North High School. My school has impacted me in so many ways. During my time at North I learned and experienced a lot. During my four years, I started from a playful kid to a mature adult. All the classes I took were good and interesting. It made me think about what I wanted to study in college. North has made me realize I can be independent and work hard to get what I wanted. It also helped me prepare for college so I am very thankful. I made a great decision by choosing Aurora University and studying social and special education.I love helping others and it is a kind thing to do. I will be studying social work so that I can help more people who are in need to help. I am beyond grateful that this scholarship is being put towards furthering my education. I am looking forward to getting involved on campus in many ways, just as I did at North, and can’t wait to start this next chapter of my life. Once again thank you for this scholarship and I can’t wait to update you about my first year in college
We would like to introduce our final Boost Scholarship winner, Jacelyn Sanchez! She will be attending College of DuPage to begin her study of Marine biology, we wish her the best!
Wheaton North High School really helped me become the student that I am today. With the hardships that were present through my high school career, the teachers supported me through and through. This helped me open my eyes to the support and resources that I had available. I considered myself a leader at Wheaton North High School, to be more specific president of both Organization of Latin American Students (O.L.A.S.) and High Schools Against Cancer (H.S.A.C) during my years there. In the future, I am looking to study Marine Biology and will be attending College of DuPage to begin my first two years. The Wheaton North High School Boost Scholarship will help me guide the way into my college career. Thank You, Jacelyn Sanchez
