News Items - Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce
Marion Chamber awards two scholarships
The Marion Chamber of Commerce awarded two scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year: $1,500 Grad Spree Scholarship to Bradley Marks and a John A. Logan College Two-Year Tuition Waiver to Karlee Webb.



The Marion Chamber of Commerce awarded two scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year: $1,500 Grad Spree Scholarship to Bradley Marks and a John A. Logan College Two-Year Tuition Waiver to Karlee Webb.
 
Karlee plans to attend John A. Logan College to begin her studies in Business Management, and then transfer to either Belmont or Vanderbilt University.
 
“Once I have completed my schooling, I hope to manage my father’s small business,” she said.
 
Karlee is currently employed with Marion Self Storage and Apartments and Webb’s Heating and Air Conditioning in Energy, and also serves as a nanny for multiple families in the Marion area.
 
“My work ethic and commitment is not only visible in the workforce, but in my academics and extracurricular activities,” Karlee said.
 
Karlee is an active member in Future Business Leaders of America, Tri-Hi-Y, Young Conservatives, and serves as the president of Family, Career, Community Leaders of America.
 
Karlee has excelled academically at Marion High School. She has a 4.12/4.0 GPA, has received high honors four consecutive years, was inducted into both Math and Spanish Honor Societies in 2015, and Mu Alpha Theta in 2016. She was also named Illinois State Scholar for 2018-2019.
 
Bradley plans to use the Grad Spree Scholarship he was awarded to major in business and minor in political science.
 
“I have always had a passion for both business and politics, and hope to serve people in my community through both,” Bradley said. “At the end of the day, no matter what specific job I hold, I want to be part of the solution to the many problems our community faces, and not another factor of oppression. And, through all my endeavors, the best interests of the people of my home will be my best interests. I believe the world needs more people who represent their true values while improving the lives of the people who make home, home.”
 
Bradley plans to pursue a career in politics.
 
“I have been active in politics since I was 15 when I founded the Young Conservatives – my school’s first political organization, and I have served as Illinois Future Business Leaders of America’s State President,” Bradley said. “My realistic goal is to serve in the United States Congress.”
 
The Marion Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Committee, chaired by Michelle Hamilton with John A. Logan College, sets the requirements and amount for the Grad Spree Scholarship.
 
“As a 1986 graduate of Marion High School in the first senior class to have the Grad Spree event and a 21-year employee of John A. Logan College, it is with great pleasure that I chair the Marion Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Committee,” Hamilton said. “The Grad Spree event provides a student with a safe alternative for graduation night while the Grad Spree Scholarship helps them further their education. Both are a win for our students and our community.”
 
Other Scholarship Committee members include: Dalus Ben Avi with the Marion Chamber of Commerce; Kenya Garner with State Farm; Ashley Gott with Bank of Herrin; Janet Jensen with Auto Credit of Southern Illinois; Megan Jones with Priority Staffing Group; Mitzi Moore with First Southern Bank; Bill Nielsen with Flanders Electric; Toni Perkins with U.S. Bank; John Pfeifer with The Women’s Center; and Rick Richert with Flanders Electric.
 
The Marion Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Committee and John A. Logan College Foundation work together to set the requirements and amount of the John A. Logan tuition waiver.
 
“The Marion Chamber of Commerce and John A. Logan College work together throughout the year on many endeavors, including the tuition waiver offered through the Marion Chamber Foundation. The Marion Chamber is very grateful for our strong relationship with JALC,” Ben Avi said.
 
The Marion Chamber of Commerce Foundation awards scholarships based on the amount of money generated by the fundraising efforts from the previous year.
 
“It is very rewarding for our Foundation to provide scholarships to two deserving individuals each year,” Gott said. “It is great to recognize students who have the desire to pursue their collegiate dreams.”
 
The requirements for the scholarships are:
  • The scholarships are to be awarded to Marion High School applicants who plan to continue their education in the field of business or commerce.
  • Applicant must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
  • Each applicant is required to complete an Application Form and attach to the Application Form a brief statement pertaining to their long-term goals and the specific field of study in business or commerce they plan to pursue. Note: Incomplete applications will NOT be considered. Letters of recommendation will NOT be accepted or considered.
  • For the John A. Logan Tuition Waiver, the student must maintain a 2.0 grade point average while enrolled in college and must be enrolled and maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours for each semester.
  • For the Grad Spree Scholarship, the scholarship winner will make their own choice of college and must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours for the fall semester in order to receive the disbursement.
  • All scholarship winners will be asked to attend the June Monthly Membership Luncheon at noon on the second Tuesday after they are awarded the scholarship to update our members on their accomplishments. While their attendance is not required, it is highly recommended.
 
The Marion Area Chamber of Commerce is an organization of business and professional people working together to build a healthy economy and to improve the quality of life in our community.
 
The Chamber works with these objectives in mind:
  • To help business/industry prosper and grow
  • To increase job opportunities
  • To contribute to the overall economic stability of the community
  • To encourage an orderly expansion and development of all segments of the community
  • To improve the quality of life of the community and surrounding area.


Published: 05/08/18