Six District 202 high school juniors will get to experience their personal summer learning adventures thanks to the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence.
The Foundation awarded 2024 Horizon Grants to the six students to help pay for summer learning enrichment experiences that broaden their academic horizons and explore areas of interest.
The students can use the grants for summer workshops, classes, field studies, internships, or conferences during the summer before their senior year.
“The Foundation is very proud to be able to help our students through the Horizon Grant program because it helps students realize their dreams for their future,” said Foundation for Excellence Chair Margie Bonuchi.
The 2024 Horizon Grant winners in alphabetical order are:
• Nora Dietz (Plainfield East High School) – plans to attend the “Psychology and the Self Summer Scholars Session II” at the University of Notre Dame.
• Ava Florez (Plainfield North High School) – plans to attend the “Introductory Music Technology” program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, in which students will be exposed to the fundamentals of audio recording, editing, creative signal processing. Students will compose a new electronic composition during the program to be presented in concert at the end of the week.
• Liam McManaman (Plainfield North High School) – plans to attend the “FFA Summer Intensive” at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign through the College of Fine & Applied Arts.
• Anthony Mekhael (Plainfield East High School) - plans to attend Dr. Daniel Shaye’s research program at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The hands-on research experience will enhance his skills in molecular techniques and microscopy, preparing Mekhael for a career in the medical field.
• Mitchell Thulin (Plainfield East High School) – plans to attend the virtual “ChatGPT 5 Day Camp,” in which students will gain a strong foundation in artificial intelligence and machine learning, preparing Thulin for a career in computer science and engineering.
• Noah Yui (Plainfield North High School) – plans to attend the “Wheaton College Summer Institute 2024” at Wheaton College. The pre-college summer program prepares students for college life and academic work.
Since 1983 the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence has raised and contributed about $1.2 million to support District 202 students and staff through grants, scholarships, and special funding.
The Foundation also has supported special programs including a District Art Gallery and high school leadership programs.
For more information about the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence or to donate, please visit: www.d202foundation.org.