HFS CHICAGO SCHOLARS ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 HFS CHICAGO SCHOLARS ANNUAL REPORT 2011

2 FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN MICHAEL J. KENNELLY At HFS Chicago Scholars we believe in providing opportunities, setting high expectations and achieving spectacular results. We don t settle for goals we set expectations. And then we celebrate as our amazing scholars exceed those expectations year after year. Like me, maybe you faced those same expectations and had loving support to make it happen in your scholar years. Parents or role models that demanded hard work, spent time with you to make sure your hard work had direction and with whom you had a shared vision of your success. Perhaps you didn t have to dream of one day going to college and being successful that was simply what was going to happen. You were raised knowing that you had the ability and opportunity to do what you wanted to do. The reality for many of our scholars is very different. Many kids in their neighborhoods don t even graduate from high school. We simply set out to level that playing field so that the plan to succeed in school and go to college isn t a far-off dream. We set an expectation of success for our scholars and we provide them the critical support network of academic directors and mentors to help them through those tough school transitions, while also providing extra opportunities like college visits, group study sessions and mandated pre-freshman year challenging summer school classes to sharpen their thinking and expand their vision. HFS helps provide the opportunity and create the structure for them to flourish and succeed. And under our program they do just that. For the last 19 years, over 93% of our scholars have successfully fulfilled our contract. And every single one of those 93% has been admitted to college. Our contract isn t easy... each scholar signs a 14-point contract each year that says they will pull a 3.0, never have a D or F, never have a tardy or unexcused absence, never miss a homework assignment, give 30 hours to community service, meet with one of our Academic Directors once a month, meet with their mentor once a month, attend three college tours a year with us, send in 5 college applications by November 15 of their senior year and never have a disciplinary problem. One strike and you are out. We find great kids and great families many of their stories we ve shared with you in this annual report then we set the bar high for our scholars and help them rise to meet it. Thanks to your time, treasure and talents our scholars continue to succeed. We need your continued support to help more students achieve academic success. It takes $5,000 to become a scholar sponsor and a lot less can make a meaningful impact in a scholar s life. Thanks so very much for your support! Sincerely, Michael J. Kennelly, Founder and Chairman Working to Educate Chicago s Future Leaders Page 2

3 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DESIREÉ PEPPER-VENZANT Greetings, What a wonderful year for HFS Chicago Scholars! We completed this year with amazing scholar successes, including an aggregate GPA of 3.44 which is an increase of 8% from our previous year. Our scholars are leaders in their schools and communities, providing over 3,000 hours of community service each year. They are National Honor Society members, student government and class officers, and publishers for their school newspapers. As in every year since our founding, 100% of our graduates were admitted into four year colleges and universities with substantial financial aid. Three seniors were awarded full tuition, room and board scholarships to Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania and Bates College, respectively. One of our seniors graduated as class valedictorian and now attends DePaul University. We are extremely proud of all of our scholars and we plan to follow their continued successes. Today s successes come from humble beginnings. HFS began nineteen years ago at Holy Family School on the Westside of Chicago. After hearing the late Cardinal Bernardin speak about our youth and making a difference, Michael Kennelly began helping economically disadvantaged students achieve their educational goals by raising money to provide scholarships to Chicago private high schools, with the promise to donors and challenge to scholars to complete a Contract of Success maintaining excellence in and outside of the classroom. After awarding the first scholarship in 1993 to 8th grade student Carmen Hernandez, HFS Chicago Scholars was born. Carmen went on to graduate from Loyola University and is now preparing to take the bar exam to pursue her career in law. Fourteen years ago I joined the HFS Family because I believed in the program. Coming from a similar background as our scholars, it was easy for me to understand the needs and obstacles that our scholars families encounter; wanting to provide the best education for their children but having limited resources to do so. HFS Chicago Scholars provides that avenue. We provide financial assistance and mentoring to promising youth to achieve their goals through high school and beyond; many of them are the first in their families to attend college. Through the hard work of the scholar, guidance from our Academic Directors and the mentor program, we are able to nurture and support their dreams. HFS Chicago Scholars could not achieve these successes if it were not for the support of our donors and volunteers. We need your support to allow us to continue our mission; providing an opportunity for our youth to succeed. Please consider donating to help a scholar achieve their educational goal. Thank you very much for your continued support! Sincerely, Desireé Pepper-Venzant Executive Director Working to Educate Chicago s Future Leaders Page 3

4 HFS Graduates Attend Top Universities! Lucia Botello St. Francis de Sales, 2011~ Class Valedictorian I was raised on the far East Side of Chicago as the youngest of six siblings. Being chosen as an HFS scholar enabled me to attend St. Francis de Sales High School. HFS helped relieve some of the financial burden that my mother faced in sending all six kids through school ever since she became widowed in Being an HFS scholar and attending St. Francis de Sales High School empowered me with the passion to be the best student I could be. I was part of numerous clubs and activities while at St. Francis such as the National Honor Society, Student Council, the Spanish Club, Campus Ministry, Varsity Club, Creative Writing Club, Green Club, Yearbook, Student Ambassador (STARS), Drama Club and WYSE. I was also a Class Officer and a leader in several groups, as President of the Drama Club for two years (while obtaining lead roles in both productions), Spanish Club and Student Council. I was involved in sports year round and managed to maintain a GPA of 3.5+ while doing so. I graduated from St. Francis de Sales in May of 2011 with several high honors and as class Valedictorian. HFS Colleges & Universities! Agnes Scott College Bates College Bowdoin College Clark Atlanta University Cornell University Culver-Stockton DePaul University Dominican University Drake University East West University Emory University Harold Washington College Harvard University Howard University Indiana University Illinois State University Loras College Loyola University Marquette University Michigan State University Milwaukee School of Engineering Monmouth College Moraine Valley College Northern Illinois University Northern Michigan Northeastern Illinois University Northwestern University Ohio Wesleyan University Parkland College Purdue University University of Pennsylvania South Carolina State University Southern Illinois University St. Joseph College St. Louis University St. Olaf College The New England Conservatory UCLA University of Michigan University of Missouri University of Southern California University of Chicago University of Illinois at Chicago University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign University of Iowa University of Massachusetts Amherst University of Notre Dame Wabash University Washington College Xavier University I now attend DePaul University and I m majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish. I am involved in a service program at DePaul called Hoops and Hopes in which DePaul students go to an underprivileged school and play basketball with them. I am looking forward to furthering my education and making a difference in my community. HFS certainly did its part in helping to put me on the path to success! Wendy Perez St. Ignatius College Prep 2011 My name is Wendy Perez and I am a proud alumna of Saint Ignatius College Prep. Growing up in a less privileged community presented financial and academic challenges; more importantly, it made me realize the value of a great high school education. Senior year finished off very well. I graduated with an honors diploma and a grade point average of Not only am I a student, but I am a leader as well. I was the President of my school s Alliance of Latin American Students club. I was a Committee Chairman for Students Against Destructive Decisions. Working as a volunteer in my community throughout my high school career has also been very enjoyable. I have worked with Catholic Charities at their food pantries. I also helped at Congressman Luis Gutierrez s office and with the Citizenship Workshops he hosts throughout Chicago. Every summer since freshman year, I caddied at Oak Park Country Club. I was awarded the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship. Thus, I now attend Northwestern University as a freshman on a full ride! I am majoring in biology in hopes of becoming a doctor of physical therapy. At the moment, my number one goal is to graduate from college. A college education would grant me the countless opportunities my mother was not blessed with. I am a second-generation American and would be one of the few members of my family to receive a four-year college degree. I believe the true value of a college education lies in helping me balance all my passions to create an educational experience as unique as me. Thanks to HFS Chicago Scholars, I was given such a wonderful opportunity that I will always appreciate. Without their generosity, it would have been impossible for my family to send me to such a great high school. The support and guidance of HFS also made it possible for me to excel and to receive a college scholarship to such an exceptional school so that I can continue my education and achieve all my goals in life. Page 4

5 HFS CHICAGO SCHOLARS 5TH ANNUAL LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST HONOREE: MIKE DITKA, HEAD COACH 1985 SUPERBOWL CHAMPION BEARS HFS Chicago Scholars welcomed Mike Ditka, the Head Coach of the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Bears, as our 2011 Leadership Breakfast honoree. The Coach and our student speakers addressed over 400 guests at the Standard Club. Highlights include: Lucia Botello (HFS 2011), Class Valedictorian of St. Francis DeSales, DePaul University freshman, spoke of her determination to succeed due the opportunity and inspiration created by her parents, HFS, and her HFS mentor Liz Hess. They made me feel comfortable with my decisions and were a major supporter of my success from day one. HFS has prepared me not only for college, but life itself Enoch Nagelli (HFS 2000), Ph.D. candidate in chemical engineering at Case Western Reserve University, spoke of his parents yearning for a better life for their children, and how HFS and his mentor Manish Mehta made a difference in his life. The personal connection and mentorship I received as an HFS scholar are monumental in shaping my drive and ambition. Mike Ditka engaged the crowed with his mesmerizing words There is one thing in life that we are guaranteed; we are guaranteed an opportunity. If you have the gift of life and the gift of health, then you can attain anything. We all have an opportunity to do and be anything that we want to be. Co-Chairs for this event included Ellen Costello, BMO Financial Corp., Bill Goodyear, Navigant, Keith Shapiro, Greenberg Traurig, LLP. We appreciate our co-chairs involvement and the support of everyone who attended the event. HFS ANNUAL BANQUET SPRING 2011 Page 5

6 SCHOLAR SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS Yi Wei HFS ALUMNA 2006 St. Ignatius, Valedictorian 2010 Harvard University, Cum Laude, Social Studies THERE IS MORE TO COMMUNITY SERVICE IT IS ABOUT GIVING BACK Today: International Development Enterprises (international NGO): adviser on rural enterprise development in sanitation sector; on site in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Merage Foundation American Dream Fellow (1 of 12 national fellows, stipend to pursue "American Dream ); Benjamin Trustman Fellow fellowship for scholars with promise to make long-range contributions to society), Booth Fellow (fellowship for purposeful travel) Future: Continue building experience in international development. Plans for graduate school in business and public policy. Interested in engaging with the emerging markets/social entrepreneurship sphere. We are extremely proud of Yi and your support made this possible. 90% OF HFS SCHOLARS MAKE THE HONOR ROLL. 15% HAVE a GPA HFS MENTORS/ ASSOCIATE BOARD HFS ASSOCIATE BOARD CONT. Russell Braden Jaquil Brown-Perry Amy Cramer Patrick Higley Steven Kimball Sook Lee Timothy Morso Suri Musiri William Nielsen Ashley Pater Martin Quintana Kim Rykowski MENTOR BOARD Laura Cox Adam McElhinney Shannon Suba Hardik Rathod Heather Albright* Kent Baker Nick Baldwin* Jennifer Bedzick Becky Bell Bill Benear* Jim Bizzieri Stephen Bochenek* Halie Bojovic Bill Bonner* Paige Braddy Iris Chae Jonathan Chan Bharat Chandrasekar* George Couladis Laura Cox Jordan Curnes Trent Debruin Vanessa DeLeon Allison DiDominick Courtney Elko Julie Emerson Edward Espiritu Stephanie Foltz Molly Geli Schuyler Geller* Tricia Gorsky Sanjay Gosilia* Samantha Goudreau* Clay Green Julie Harber Brian Hedges* Tom Hefty Liz Hess* Robert Hunt Ellen Iggulden Zachary Jara Robert Kairis Emily Kane Janice Kim* Carolyn Kirschke Stephanie Klein Tricia Lee Xuan Li Kerri Lin* Lynn Lopinski* James Low Mallory Martin Vishal Maru Kasheima McDaniel Adam McElhinney Kay McGee Heather McGonegle* Ellen McGuigan Laura Miller Holly Nakfoor Kelly O'Connor Nirav Patel Brian Pender Jonah Phillips Hannah Pitsenberger Abby Poplis Liz Prassas Hardik Rathod Maggie Rezac Jeff Ries Dana Rissley* Carrie Roca-Dawson Maryann Rowe Ariana Salazar Saras Shah Emily Siguenza Reid Simon Heather Stump* Shannon Suba Sienna Teschendorf Stephanie Vanhazebroeck Candace Washington Julie Whiting* Abby Whitt Nykia Wright* Anna Wu* Samuel Zinkan *Associate Board & Mentor Page 6

7 HFS CHICAGO SCHOLARS DONORS July 1, 2010 October 30, 2011 $5,000 and Above Allstate Insurance Co Baker & McKenzie LLP Dean & Mary Bekas BMO Capital Markets/Harris Bank Dave Bochenek & Katie McAuliff Kevin Callahan Crowe Horwath Thomas Jordan Curnes II Deloitte LLP Exelon Corporation Fifth Third Bank Greenberg Traurig Philanthropic Fund Daniel P Haerther Trust Huron Consulting Group Rick Julien Michael Kennelly Thomas Linguanti & Olivia Tyrrell Mark & Kathryn McCarville Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP Navigant Consulting Inc New Frontier Foundation Northern Trust Investments PNC Bank Jerome & Abigail Prassas RR Donnelley Foundation Jim Sheehan Sidley Austin Foundation Steve Steinmeyer Steven Sutherland Walgreen Co. West Monroe Partners LLC Suzanne Yoon & Luke Molloy $2,000 to $4000 James Allegretti Applied Finance Group Big Shoulders Fund Brach Foundation Braydon Partners David & Mary Brett CDW Corporation Chicago Cubs Baseball Club David & Kathy Clolinger Anna Louise Curnes James & Catherine Denny Foundation $2,000 to $4,000 Joe Dimberio Jack & Stephanie Flynn Paul & Sandra Fullmer Brian Gallagher Good Heart, Work Smart Foundation Thomas & Victoria Hill Vincent & Joanne Intrieri Kirkland & Ellis Foundation KPMG LLP David Kucera Lazard Freres & Co LLC James & Christine Lentz Management and Technology Resources Mesirow Financial David Moes Molloy & Associates, Inc Monroe Credit Advisors LLC Christopher & Emily Raub Reconnaissance Advisors LLC Mills Rendell Claudia Saran Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Tellabs David F Tracy Joy & Larry Walton $500 to $1,999 Adams Street Partners Bank of America Patrick Blandford David Brand Michael Burka Stephen & Dierdra Burns Paul & Anne Leary Charnetzki Eric Chi Ungaretti & Harris LLP Richard Clemens Brian & Julie Clucas Coghill Capital Management LLC William Considine Considine Financial LLC Trustees of Crowe Foundation Dow Chemical Dowdle Family Foundation First Giving Sara & Scott Fisher $500 to $1,999 Thomas & Marilyn Gallagher Marcus George Mark Gertzof Kevin & Mary Gibbons Kara & John Goodwin John & Karen Gordon Michael Henriques Carmen Hernandez J P Morgan Chase Michael Jerbich John Buck Company Foundation Kristine Jurczyk Russell Karlins Kazma Family Foundation Joseph Kearney Jr. Daniel Kelly Matthew & Leigh Kennelly Robert Kennelly David & Jean Kostelansky John Kurkowski Patrick Lanigan Vincent & Megan Lazar Greg & Carolyn Lemein Kerri Lin James Llende Barbara Manny Henry Mawicke McDermott Will & Emery Scott & Anne Meyer Robert Mohn Karl & Jeanne Mueller Stephanie Newton Sylvia Novotny William & Catherine O'Connor Jim O'Connor James O'Sullivan George Panagakis Andrew & Mary Jane Pempek Bob Perkaus Christopher Perry John M Peterson, Jr. Gary Pines PPM America, Inc. Imad & Nancy Qasim James & Angelica Rojas D Bryan Ruez $500 to $1,999 Steven Sarovich Steve Degnau Schmidt Harry Seigle Seigle Family Foundation Brian & Beth Sieve Kathleen Swain Joseph & Kristin Taylor Gregory & Kelli Teegen Tom Terry Dan Tierney Bradley Trychta Jerry Turner William Von Hoene, Jr. Greg Vorwaller Dan & Nancy Wikel Ignacio Larrinua & Mary Therese Wolf Woodlawn Jesuit Residence Laura Yaeger Jarad Yerian Arie Zoller Other Donations Douglas & Debbie Ackerman Carlin Adrianopoli Alex & Laura Agran Karie Anderson Maria Arosteguy Gary Bachrach Theresa & Robert Backes Richard Baer Sandra Baldwin Greg Bedalov Carol Bellina Nicole Bencik Jennifer Bezdicek William Jefferson Black Stella Black Real Property Consultants, Inc. Susan Brewster Brininstool, Kerwin & Lynch LLC Barbara Brown Gary & Mary Burge Jacquelyn Casazza Jeanne & Michael Century Choose to Shine E Swope Clarke Kevan Comstock Kelly Craig Colin Cross Terri Dalenta Page 7

8 Other Donations (Continued) Thomas Desmond Duane DesParte Don & Mary Jane Dimberio James & Kendall Dolphin E. Paul & Susan Dunn Thomas Dvorak Peter & Katie Eschenbach William Farrell, Jr. Sarah Ference Aimee Festa Fidelity Charitable Trust Gene & Margaret Finnegan Marcia Flick Charles French Penny Friedman Thomas Gallagher John Garvey GCG Financial Inc. Schuyler Geller Christopher Gentry Challis Gibbs Richard Glick Solskin Gomez-Krogh Catherine Gonzalez Bruce Gorchow Valerie Harang Nathan Harnetiaux David & Karen Hawkins Brian Hedges Todd Helmink Brian Hochberg Gene Hochberg Tom Holleb David Holmes Kevin Hovorka Geralyn Hurd Lori Kaserman Jeffrey & Kathleen Kedrowski Kevin Keefe Lynn Kilroy Jordan Kraner Austin Krumpfes Father George A Lane, SJ Carolyn & Michael Laughlin Sook Lee Richard Lobo Michael LoGiudice Loyola Press Mary Ann Ludwig James Lukenda Ryan Luttenton Brian Manczak Frank Mascari William McCabe Lois Lorie MCcarthy Patrick McGrath Tim McGrath Carla McKeand Trudell Teresa McMahon Jeffrey Mengel Venice M Meyer Jonni Miklos Brian Miller Ben Miller Shawn Mobley Bernadette Molloy Diane Moore Jeremy Moss William Nielsen Elen Nielsen The above information was extracted from the audited financial statements, which are available upon request. Other Donations Fred O'Connor Thomas Odonoghue Timothy O'Shaughnessy Kenneth Ottaviano Hub International Midwest Ltd Kenneth Venzant & Desireé Pepper-Venzant Felicia Perlman Catherine Perrone Matt Peters Gaetano Petrelli John Podbielski, Jr. Elizabeth A Ramp Hardik Rathod Susan Raub Mari Reidy Christopher Resto Matthew Revord Melissa & Daniel Richlen Andrew Richmond Lawrence Rieger HFS CHICAGO SCHOLARS STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 Audited Audited Audited Revenues: Contributions $157,650 $151,432 $189,382 Special events and activities, net 110,576 77,601 97,261 Interest income 663 2,510 2,877 Total revenues 268, , ,519 Expenses: Program expense 281, , ,472 Management expense 11,591 3,867 6,166 Fund-raising expense 7,950 3,840 4,139 Total expenses 301, , ,777 Change in net assets (32,327) (63,876) (6,258) Net assets - Beginning of year 247, , ,748 Net assets - End of year $215,288 $247,614 $311,490 MY SUCCESS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT. I AM ATTENDING U OF I AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN Other Donations (Continued) Rocco Rinaldi Amy Ripepi David Ritchay Rothman Consulting LLC Robin Salzeider Heather Sanchez Kathy Schaeffer James Schuler Michael Scolaro James Shea Matthew & Mary Beth Smith Matt Staman Mark Staub Briana Steele Luke & Leeane Stifflear Dale Stohr Tim Sullivan Lisa Sullivan Aaron Taylor Wray T. Thorn IV Joseph Trpik, Jr. Marko Vajda Laura Van Peenan Donovan Pepper & Heidi Waltner-Pepper Craig Waslin Robert Wentland Camila Wingrove Rosemary Wolf Rehak Michael Wysoglan Kenneth Yager James & Athena Young David Zimmerman In-Kind Donors Big Shoulders Fund Children of Peace School Executive Service Corp Holy Family Parish Huron Consulting Group ONE ILLustration, LLC St. Ignatius College Prep The UPS Store #560 20/30 Club Page 8

9 Friend of HFS, MENTOR BOARD DIRECTOR, ADAM MCELHENNEY When evaluating any charitable cause, I often think of the parable that You can give a man a fish and feed him for a day, or you can teach a man to fish and feed him for life. Although a cliché, this parable obtained its status due to the truth of the message. Thus it is important as friends of HFS to ask ourselves, how are we teaching our scholars to fish? Luckily for our scholars, they have four sets of instructors teaching them to fish; their schools, their family, their community and their mentors. This last group is what differentiates HFS and is part of the reason HFS boasts a 100% college placement rate for all graduating seniors. I am very pleased to say that this is a banner year for the HFS Mentorship Program. The Mentor Board successfully recruited 51 new mentors, and established several new initiatives to strengthen the mentor-scholar relationship. First, the Mentor Orientation was completely revamped and a new mentor handbook was created. This orientation was a great success and we had over 45 mentors in attendance. Second, the mentors from each class were assigned a representative from the Mentor Board that is in charge of following up with each mentor and ensuring that the mentor-scholar relationship is fruitful and thriving. This person serves as another contact point to ask questions about the program or help organize mentor-scholar events. Third, this is the first year we are planning mentor-only social events. A key part to becoming a successful mentor is having a strong network of peers who you can ask for advice, share your experiences with or even just drive you to the HFS events. If you think that you would be a good person to teach a scholar to fish, please apply on our website at It only takes a few weekend hours per month, as well as one phone call per week. In this short amount of time you will teach a scholar lessons that they will take with them through their entire academic career and well into adulthood. Regards, Adam McElhinney, Director HFS Mentor Board GIVING BACK FROM SCHOLAR TO MENTOR Arnethia Ellis: 2000 Providence St. Mel 2004 Howard University Pictured from Left to Right: Arnethia Ellis (Mentor/Alumna), Tiara Davis, Mallory Martin (Mentor/ Alumna), Cache Lane HFS is like a family to me. I keep in close contact with many of my friends from the HFS program. I can remember Mike Kennelly attending my graduation and standing there just like a proud father and I appreciate that. I am passionate about being a mentor and helping others because I was helped. I would not have been able to accomplish some of the things in my life without the support of HFS. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to be a mentor and I am told that I am on video tape as a teenager saying that I would come back to become a mentor some day! I am very proud to be a mentor my mentee is a real firecracker, she is funny, and it has helped me remember a time in my life that I needed guidance and someone to talk to other than my parents. I hope that I am having a positive impact on her life just as my mentor did for me! Mallory Martin: 2005 Providence St. Mel 2009 U of I Urbana HFS made such an impact on my life! The events and mentoring were especially meaningful. I remember taking the ACT prep class that HFS provides to all scholars I would have never taken that class if it were not for HFS. Because of that class I was able to improve my score and attend the college of my choice, which HFS introduced me to on one of the many HFS college tours. I m still close to my mentor and we have a really good relationship. I was anxious to become a mentor and have the responsibility of being a role model. I think the mentor experience has made me become a more conscientious person and I am happy to have the opportunity to help her. Page 9

10 HFS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Kennelly (Chairman) Navigant Jim Allegretti Deloitte & Touche LLP Dean Bekas PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP David Bochenek United Airlines HFS Alumnus Robert Johnson I was born and raised in the projects of Chicago. I attended St. James elementary school where I struggled to get my grades up to standards but worked hard and graduated from 8th grade with good grades. My mom did not have enough money to send my sister and me to a private elementary school so she worked at my school to pay for our tuition. My mom was determined for my sister and me to attend a private high school, but she continued to face the issue of paying for a great education. After looking around, my family found the HFS Program to help my sister and me go to the private high schools of our choice. Andrew Bosman Navigant Jordan Curnes II Micro Transponder Kathy Clolinger Joseph Dimberio Twin Bridge Capital Partners Brian Gallagher Twin Bridge Capital Partners Mark Gertzof Monroe Capital Advisors I am the second in my family to attend college (my sister Debra graduated from St. Louis University and was an HFS Scholar). After high school, I attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa on a full academic scholarship. While at Drake, I started the only hip-hop Radio show in the city of Des Moines which earned me an internship at Bad Boy and Atlantic Records. I also served as an At-Large Student Senator helping push student s issues to the forefront of the University. In 2010, I graduated from Drake University with a degree in politics and marketing and just recently married Ashley Hutchinson. I now work as a National Marketing Specialist with American Retirement Systems coming up with national marketing campaigns for independent indurance agents. In my spare time I give speeches in front of the U.S. Congress on behalf of the Department of Children and Family Services to help solve issues and problems in the Foster Care System. My experiences growing up and as an HFS Scholar shaped me into the individual that I am today and for that I am extremely grateful. Kara Goodwin PNC Bank Carmen Hernandez John Marshall Law School Michael Jerbich DJM Realty, A Gordon Brothers Group Rick Julien Crowe Horwath LLP Hon. Matthew Kennelly U. S. District Court Northern District of Illinois David Kucera BMO Capital Markets James Lentz Ungaretti & Harris LLP James Llende PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Vernis Likes Centers for New Horizons Kevin McCarty West Monroe Partners Mark McCarville Braydon Partners Scott Meyer Willis Group Tamara Meyer Health Care Service Corp. Donovan Pepper Walgreen Co. Nancy Peterman Greenberg Traurig Jerry Prassas Chris Raub PPM America Claudia Saran KPMG Michael Scolaro BMO Capital Markets James Sheehan Tellabs Kathleen Swain Allstate Insurance Co. Gregory Teegen JPMorgan Chase David Tracy Credit Suisse Laura Van Peenan William Blair & Company Joy Walton Huron Consulting Group Suzanne Yoon Versa Capital Management Inc. Jesse Ruiz HFS General Counsel Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Become a Donor! Donors are the lifeblood of our organization. We depend on financial support from individuals and companies to support our scholars dreams. Every dollar goes directly to the program to benefit our scholars. No donation is too small. $500 (Freshman Sponsor) sends an incoming freshman to our required pre-high school summer school classes. $1,000 (Sophomore Sponsor) sends a sophomore on two college visits and underwrites the scholar s academic enrichment and mentor programs. $2,000 (Junior Sponsor) sends a junior to our required ACT prep course and underwrites the scholar s academic enrichment and mentor programs. $5,000 (Senior Sponsor) fully funds a one-year HFS scholarship for a specific scholar. Senior Sponsors receive an annual update regarding the scholar s progress and an invitation to the HFS Annual Banquet to meet their scholar and his/her family. Sponsors have scholarship naming opportunities. Donations By Mail: 1137 W. Taylor Street, #201, Chicago, Il Donations Online: Master Card, Visa, American Express Page 10

11 Meet our Scholars! Seniors (Class of 2012) Nicole Acevedo Gordon Tech High School Misael Lopez Francis W. Parker School Cathalina Acosta Marist High School Bryson McDonald De LaSalle Institute Miguel Aviles St. Ignatius College Prep Rosa Ortega St. Ignatius College Prep Chelsea Bennett De LaSalle Institute Olatunbosum Osinaike St. Ignatius College Prep Kevin Burrell Fenwick High School Karla Padilla St. Ignatius College Prep Gloria Castillejo Cristo Rey High School Jhanneu Roberts The Waldorf School Brandon Giles Gordon Tech High School Felicia Shaw Providence-St. Mel High School Jordan Goggins Loyola Academy Daniel Shepherd Mount Carmel High School Mary Wendy Hernandez Gordon Tech High School Jesus Torres De LaSalle Institute Adriana Izquierdo Mother McAuley High School Diego Valenzuela Cristo Rey High School Oluwantomisin Johnson The Chicago Lab School Yvette Velazquez Mother McAuley High School David Lewis Marist High School Vashon Woolridge Gordon Tech High School Juniors (Class of 2013) Jessica Amaya Gordon Tech High School Markita Kirkpatrick Providence-St. Mel High School Carolina Acosta The Willows School Jesus Martinez Marist High School Jamie Burgos Trinity High School Tierra Masupha Providence-St. Mel High School Andrea Castillo Regina Dominican High School Kwambata Ngatia Providence-St. Mel High School Andy Castillo Luna Morton West Emily Oliver Mother McAuley High School Ellen Chen St. Ignatius College Prep **Jacqueline Orozco Cristo Rey High School Aaliyah Claybrooks Christ The King High School Cynedra Osinaike Loyola Academy Krystal Cobos De LaSalle Institute Miriam Saleh Fenwick High School Heriberto Godina Cristo Rey High School Aaron Shariq De LaSalle Institute Paola Gomez Queen of Peace High School Fuischa Shelton Providence-St. Mel High School Khadeisha Gray Christ The King High School Ellante Stanford Loyola Academy Jason Grijalva St. Laurence High School Diana Trujillo De LaSalle Institute **Selena Hernandez De LaSalle Institute Johnny Walker De LaSalle Institute Eric Hernandez St. Laurence High School Abria Williams Providence-St. Mel High School Isabel Rose Kadiri Regina Dominican High School Atzin Yepiz St. Ignatius College Prep Christian Arevalo Northridge Preparatory University of Illinois Lucia Botello St. Francis DeSales DePaul University Jimmy Cabrera Northridge Preparatory DePaul University Michelle Cobos De La Salle Institute University of Illinois Samrina Danani St. Ignatius College Prep University of Pennsylvania Jamilia Davis Providence-St. Mel High School Bates College Adrian Febus Northridge Preparatory School University of Illinois Brittany Gause Gordon Tech High School Northern Michigan HFS 2011 Graduates! Elizabeth Kusper Nazareth Academy University of Missouri Taylor Mallory Queen of Peace Purdue University Kenrick Osinaike Loyola Academy Wabash University Julio Pallarez-Saldana St. Joseph High School Marquette University Wendy Perez St. Ignatius College Prep Northwestern University Jorge Sierra-Nowell St. Ignatius College Prep Butler Andreaus Taylor Brother Rice High School University of Illinois Jean Marie Tucker Mother McAuley High School Emory University Sophomore (Class of 2014) **Jennifer Aguayo DeLaSalle High School Cache Lane Fenwick High School Rashaan Castillo St. Ignatius College Prep **Cecilia Lopez Maria High School Ivette Cebrero Trinity High School Juanita McDonald Trinity High School Zain Danani St. Ignatius College Prep Alishah Pearine Gordon Tech High School **Tiara Davis St. Francis De Sales High School **Anthony Pierce DeLaSalle High School Evelyn Duran St. Ignatius College Prep Angel Roman Northridge Prep High School Kala Epkins-Henderson Trinity High School **Lisette Sanchez Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Diana Gutierrez St. Ignatius College Prep Dijonnais Thomas Queen of Peace High School Natalia Herrera Fenwick High School **Onika Walker DeLaSalle High School Brenda Gutierrez St. Ignatius College Prep University of Illinois Pablo Gutierrez St. Ignatius College Prep Illinois Institute of Technology Tania Velazquez Mother McAuley High School Loyola University Freshmen (Class of 2015) Mariam Akogu Lake Forest Academy Elissa Lopez St. Ignatius College Prep **Simran Ali Gordon Tech High School Lauren Merriwether Mother McAuley High School Jessica Bailey Providence St. Mel High School Delia Montoya... Trinity High School Abigail Bautista Queen of Peace High School Isaac Moore St. Patrick High School Christian Davis Loyola Academy Benjamin Vela St. Ignatius College Prep **Gabriel Gonzalez Cristo Rey High School Marcus Williams St. Ignatius College Prep Brianna Guzman... St. Ignatius College Prep Rafael Velazquez... St. Patrick High School Maximilian Herrera Fenwick High School We are happy and thankful for the generous scholarship. Our daughter Samrina was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania and without the support of HFS she would not have this opportunity ~The Danani Family **Kennelly Scholars The Big Shoulders Fund graciously established a partnership with HFS in an effort to make our one-on-one mentoring program available to more high school students. This year, Big Shoulders is providing partial scholarships to 10 HFS scholars attending Big Shoulders Fund-supported high schools. The Big Shoulders Fund, long a supporter of HFS, has been a champion for Chicago s inner-city families since 1986 raising over $10M a year for Catholic elementary and high schools. We are honored to collaborate with Big Shoulders in support of our scholars. Page 11

12 1137 West Taylor Street, #201 Chicago, Illinois NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID CHICAGO, IL PERMIT NO HFS Chicago Scholar Mission Statement HFS Chicago Scholars provides financial assistance and mentoring to economically disadvantaged Chicago innercity high school students who show academic and leadership promise to help them achieve their educational goals. Save the Date Annual Rock n-bowl Saturday, February 25, :45 11:00pm Diversey River bowl Register Save the Date: 2012 Annual Leadership Breakfast Friday, September 21, 2012 The Standard Club 7:30am HFS Chicago Scholars is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. Donations By Mail: 1137 W. Taylor Street, #201, Chicago, Il Donations Online: Contact us: Phone: ~ Fax: , dpepper@hfschicagoscholars.com Website: Become a Fan HFS Chicago Scholar alumni