This year the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club is inaugurating a new scholarship program that is all inclusive so no students will be left behind.

“We don’t want to forget about the students that maybe didn’t have stellar grades”, says Erin Contreras, co-president elect, “but still have the personal drive and commitment to move forward with their education, learning experience, and/or personal development”.

The deadline for applications is April 24, and $1,000 will be awarded in May to a deserving student who is very involved in community service. The financial support may be applied to continuing education at a college or university, community college, or trade school. Contreras emphasizes that this non-merit-based scholarship is centered on the philosophy that “community involvement fosters personal development”.

Contreras and her fellow Co-President Elect Diana Faust, serve as co-chairs of the TLWC Strategic Planning Committee that considers new projects. The late Anne Campbell, who was co-president at the time of her death last spring, was a catalyst behind the commencement of scholarship program discussions.

“Her initial vision was instrumental in moving these conversations forward”, notes Contreras.

The three objectives of the scholarship program are as follows:

1. To expand access to post-high school education.
2. To encourage diversity and inclusion. Included are students attending high school in District 38; or who live in D38 and attend a private school, charter school, are home-schooled, or earning a GED.
3. To celebrate and reward community contributions that reflect the TLWC mission and values.

These values and mission, that the scholarship is built around, focus on commitment to one’s community, service and giving, participation, and collaboration. Depending on participation this year, the program will likely be expanded in the years to come.

A non-merit-based scholarship presents an alternative window to advance for certain distinctive students.

“This is a different kind of scholarship”, says Contreras. “It opens doors and opportunities for students who might have been missed in the past”.