GENOA – Twenty-six Genoa-Kingston High School seniors have thrown their hats into the ring, seeking votes to capture the $1,000 scholarship offered by Genoa Main Street, Inc. The scholarship is funded through donations from 17 Genoa businesses.
The scholarship program is designed to encourage local residents to shop and conduct business in Genoa while assisting graduating seniors with the cost of higher education. The scholarship is named in memory of Main Street volunteer Char Miller. This is the seventh year it has been offered.
The winner of the scholarship is chosen by popular vote. Votes can be cast at any one of 15 local polling places. Shoppers vote by making purchases at participating businesses; in general, each dollar spent equals one vote.
Posters with the applicants' names, photos and other information are posted at participating businesses.
The polls are now open, and will close at noon on May 15. The scholarship winner will be announced at Genoa-Kingston High School graduation ceremonies that evening.
Shoppers can vote for the candidate they would like to see receive the scholarship each time they make a purchase at a participating business. There is a maximum of 200 votes per transaction.
Individuals and families who donate to Genoa Main Street Inc. will receive five votes for each dollar donated. In addition, every two hours of volunteer time donated to Genoa Main Street activities will count as 100 votes. The time may be donated by the applicant or anyone else in their name. The volunteer activity must occur before the end of the voting period.
For additional information, visit the Genoa Main Street, Inc. office at 327 W. Main St., call 815-784-6961, or visit www.genoamainstreet.com.
Where to Vote
Assured Appliance
Awe Insurance Agency
Book of Numbers
Corner Grill on Main
Cutters & Co. Family Hair Care
Embroidery Sew Into It
Genoa Cafe
Heartland Bank and Trust Company
J’Studio/Zumba Fitness
Kingston Mutual Insurance
Pete’s Castle/Marathon
Poppy Seed Primitives
Speciality Gifts
State Farm Insurance/Jack Godde
Victoria’s Crossing
Scholarship Candidates
Lane Bankson, College of Redwoods, biology/business
Logan Bankson, Illinois State University, construction management
Melissa Baus, Kishwaukee College, general education
Tim Benvenuti, University of Iowa, health and wellness
Morgan Bollech, Northern Illinois University, biochemistry
Alaina Chester, undecided, music
Danielle Engel, Parkland College, biological sciences
Jessica Farace, Kishwaukee College, undecided
Samantha Fisher, Columbia College Chicago, acting
Katie Gahlbeck, Drake University, pre-pharmacy
Erica Guzy, undecided, veterinary medicine/biology
Charlie Koeppen, Kishwaukee College, horticulture
Max Kruse, University of Illinois, accounting
Renae Kurpius, University of Iowa, chemical engineering
Zane LaCasse, University of Chicago, microbiology/education
Mason Lucca, Northern Illinois University, nursing
Danielle Neisendorf, Black Hawk East College, pre-medicine
Andrea Ortega, Kishwaukee College, pharmacy
Ben Rabe, North Central College, exercise science
Carly Ruehl, Indiana State University, nursing
Shannon Schumacher, Southern Illinois University, radiology
Cal Thompson, Rock Valley College, fire science/paramedic
Haleigh Thrun, Rockford Career College, veterinary technician
Eric Tucker, Illinois State University, business administration
Ixtel Viramontes, Aurora University/Elmhurst College, bilingual special education
Emily Wakeley, Lewis University, clinical laboratory science
