Virginia Graham Scholarship
Virginia (Beckley) Graham was born and
raised on a farm in rural Rossville, Illinois, on February 1, 1928. She
graduated from Illinois State Normal University in 1949. After teaching for five
years, she devoted her life to raising a family. She went back to teaching in
1974. She taught fourth grade at Clara Peterson School for over 20 years. After
her retirement, she continued to work with children as a volunteer and
substitute teacher at Clara Peterson. She died in February, 2003.
Previous Winners:
2009: Kara Johnson (see story
below)
2008: Tiffany Apland
2007: Tim Knilands
2006: Blake LeClair
2005: Staci Burklund
2004: John Pacey
Scholarship Information
In memory of her and her love for
children, Virginia's family along with the Paxton Education Foundation have provided a
$500 scholarship to a Paxton graduate pursuing a degree in education or child
development.
Eligible applicants include PBL
graduating high school senior students. Applicants must be ranked in the
top 50% of their graduating class and must plan to enroll full time at an
accredited two- or four-year college, university, or trade/vocational school.
(Proof of enrollment will be required for release of scholarship payment after
the award is announced.)
The recipient will be selected on the
basis of these three weighted selection criteria:
1. Academic achievement as evidenced by
grade point average (seventh semester), class rank, and test scores. (1/4)
2. Participation and leadership in
community, school, and work experience activities. (1/4)
3. Written narrative essay. (1/2)
Financial need will be a criteria
for selection.
Applicants must submit a typed
application form, consisting of four parts: Cover Sheet/Student Information;
Academic Information; Extra-Curricular Activities; and Essay.
The PBL Education Foundation Scholarship
Committee will evaluate finalist applications and select the winner.
Interested applicants may
use the following links to print the information sheet and application
blanks for the scholarship:
Virginia Graham Scholarship
Information Sheets in Print Version
Virginia Graham Scholarship
Application Blank in PDF Format
Virginia Graham Scholarship Application Blank in Microsoft Word Format
This Year's Winner
 |
Nancy Baird, Vice Chairman of the PBL Education
Foundation, presented the Virginia Graham Scholarship to Kara
Johnson at the 2009 PBL Senior Academic Awards Night.
Kara, daughter of Kammy Johnson and the late Dale Johnson, will
be majoring in Elementary Education at Illinois State
University. She was active in a variety of activities
during high school and maintained a 3.98 grade point average.
Kara played basketball for four years and was Captain her senior
year. She was also in softball, cross country, and track.
Other activities included math team for three years, National
Honor Society, Student Council, and many leadership roles in FFA. |
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