The Morton Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is pleased to announce Sophia MacLean as the 2023 Laura Fuoss Memorial Grant recipient. Ms. MacLean is a 2018 graduate of Morton High, received a bachelor’s degree in Biology; Neuroscience from Wheaton College in May of 2022, and will attend Southern Illinois University School of Medicine this fall. “She is clearly passionate about a career in medicine and the impact she will have in her community,” said Lynne Walters, the grant committee chairperson.
AAUW is pleased to announce Emily Rein as the 2021 Laura Fuoss Memorial Grant recipient. Ms. Rein is a 2017 graduate of Morton High, received her BS in Biochemistry with a minor in Psychology from Monmouth College, and plans to attend Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Georgia. As a physician, she intends to pursue a career in Women’s Health. “Ms. Rein presented an application with an impressive academic record and excellent references. The array of internships, research, and volunteer opportunities demonstrates that her decision to pursue a career in medicine was not made lightly”, says Lynne Walters, the grant committee chairperson. “We are proud to offer this scholarship to Ms. Rein.”
AAUW is pleased to announce Carly Woodin as the 2020 Laura Fuoss Memorial Grant recipient. Ms. Woodin is a 2014 graduate of Morton High School, received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Bradley University, and is currently in her third year of medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria. She intends to specialize in a pediatric field.
“Carly has an impressive academic record and outstanding references. She has demonstrated
clear evidence of leadership and an unwavering passion for her chosen field”, says Lynne
Walters, the grant committee chairperson.
AAUW awarded its 2019 Laura Fuoss Memorial Grant to Stefanie Clarke, pediatric nurse at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. She is a graduate of Morton High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cedarville University, with an emphasis on Pediatric and Emergency Medicine.
Clarke is pursuing a Masters of Science in Nursing, as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Maryville University in Saint Louis.
Among other awards and honors, Stefanie Clarke received the 2017 Ron W. Lee Award from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health for Pediatric Clinical Excellence. She is nationally certified as an Emergency Nurse, a Pediatric Emergency Nurse, and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
“Stefanie is making a tremendous commitment to her calling and her community, and stands to have an even greater impact as she continues her education”, says Lynne Welters, the Grant Committee Chair. “Her passion and commitment is evident in her work. Morton AAUW is very pleased to offer this grant to Ms. Clarke.”
AAUW awarded its 2018 Laura Fuoss Memorial Grant to Lindsey Pierz, a fourth grade teacher at Jefferson School since 2013. In 2012 Lindsey graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Elementary Ed in Elementary Education and Spanish (individualized.) She is attending Illinois State University to study Teaching and Learning with an emphasis in Educational Technology.
During her undergraduate years she was the 2012 Eureka College Woman of the year, received the Jean Hearne Education Award for Excellence in Student Teaching, and the Eureka College Spanish Student of the Year Award. In 2010 as a Durward W. Sandifer Fellow, she completed volunteer work for Salvation Army Daycare in San Jose, Costa Rica.
At Jefferson School she is the Morton Education Association Building Representative, Red Ribbon Week School Coordinator and Pumpkin Festival Volunteer. Susan Scott, Morton AAUW President, is pictured presenting the $1000 check to Lindsey Pierz.
Helen Plevka, a 2012 graduate of Morton High School, receives a $1000 check from Morton AAUW President, Judy Griffin, for Morton AAUW’s 2017 Laura Fuoss Memorial Grant.
Helen Plevka graduated Summa Cum Laude from Eastern Illinois University in 2016 with a B.A. in English with Secondary Teacher Certification. She will be attending Indiana University to study Comparative Literature with doctoral minors in Musicology and Germanic Studies. Helen was involved during her undergraduate years as a clarinetist in the Wind Symphony, a reader for “The Vehicle” literary magazine, a partner with the Mattoon Middle School Reading Program, an interpreter for the Women’s Studies Living History Program, a host for the Admissions Office, and a coach for Girls on the Run. While at EIU, Helen received the Presidential Scholarship, Distinguished Senior Award, Warner Presidential Award in English, and Booth Library Award for Excellence in Student Research. Helen received first prize for the English Studies, Cultural Diversity, and Women’s Studies Essay Contests.
Helen was involved in Kappa Delta Pi and Sigma Tau Delta, honorary academic societies. Helen was awarded a prestigious undergraduate research grant and developed a lecture-recital where she read from her work and performed excerpts from Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.
2016 Brittany Burk
Brittany Burk, a 2011 graduate of Morton High School, receives a $1000 check from Morton AAUW President, Judy Griffin, for Morton AAUW’s 2016 Laura Fuoss Memorial Grant.
Brittany graduated Summa Cum Laude from Augustana College in 2015 with a Dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She has completed her first year at Texas Christian University majoring in a Master’s of Science Degree in speech-language pathology. Brittany was involved during her collegiate years with Alpha Phi Omega, Augustana Dance Marathon, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, Student Alumni Council, dance troupes, gospel choir, and worked in the Admissions Office. Brittany was awarded the Dr. Donald C. Davis and Lois Family Scholarship, and Dahl Leadership Scholarship. She has worked with Braking Traffik and teaches ESL to immigrants in the community. During her senior year she pursued three different research opportunities.
2015 No scholarship was awarded for the year 2015.
2014 Rachel Funk.
Rachel graduated Magna Cum Laude from Eureka College in May 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree. She will begin her study of veterinary medicine with a focus on small animal/equine medicine this fall at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Rachel was involved during her collegiate years with tennis, SLIAC Sportsmanship Team, soccer, Circle K International, and a participant in the medical mission trip to Vladimir, Russia with the International Health Care Development Program. Rachel was a Durward Sandifer Fellow at Eureka, which provides funding for a mentorship. As a Sandifer Fellow, she was able to participate in a research internship at the University of Nevada, Reno.
2013 Kelly Curtis.
AAUW’s co-presidents Patti Erwin and Kay Lindley present a $1000 check to Kelly Curtis, a 2008 graduate of Morton High School.
Kelly graduated Magna Cum Laude from Illinois State University in May 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She is currently seeking her Master’s Degree in School Social Work from the University of Illinois. Kelly was involved during her collegiate years with PATH (Providing Access To Help), the Boys and Girls Club in Bloomington, IL, and an internship at The Children’s Home Association of Illinois.
2012 Mary Ackerman
Mary, a 2007 MHS graduate, graduated magna cum laude from Eureka College in 2010 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Pre-Occupational Therapy and Biology. She is now seeking her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO and hopes to be completed by December 2013. During her collegiate years, Mary was very involved with International Healthcare Development Program; Sigma Zeta, a National Science and Mathematics Honor Society; Student Athlete Advisory Committee; and Youth for Christ.