West Cook News

The Morton 201 Foundation held its annual Pay It Forward Scholarship Luncheon on May 19 at Morton West High School. The event celebrated the awarding of $28,000 in scholarships to 14 students and recognized community support for educational advancement.

Diana Dominick, Director of the Senior Center, represented the Town of Cicero at the luncheon on behalf of President Larry Dominick. She was accompanied by Town Clerk Maria Punzo-Arias and Business License Director Ismael Vargas. President Dominick was acknowledged for his ongoing support as a corporate sponsor.

This year, seven students from both Morton West and Morton East were chosen from 31 applicants to receive $2,000 scholarships each. Since its start in 2019, the program has awarded over $128,000 to 71 students from Morton District 201.

Flor Quiroz, a former scholarship recipient and recent graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, delivered a keynote address. She spoke about overcoming challenges in higher education and highlighted the significance of community support: “Try to see any rejection as a redirection,” she advised students.

Quiroz also reflected on her own experiences with the scholarship's impact: “That’s again what that Pay It Forward scholarship instills—that sense of paying forward where someone was there for you.”

Jim Goodman, Vice President of the Foundation Board, praised Quiroz: “Flor, you are an incredible young woman and have been a tremendous ambassador and role model for our Pay It Forward Scholarship program.”

Emily Orduna Cruz received this year's prestigious $6,000 John F. Polakovic Scholarship. Additionally, Superintendent Dr. Tim Truesdale announced other scholarship recipients and thanked outgoing board members Christopher Blomquist and Manuel Pacheco.

Recipients from Morton West included Mark Dante Albano, Camilia Covalio among others; Kevin Moreno received a culinary scholarship. From Morton East High School recipients included Alexis Avalos and others.

Community partners were also honored for raising more than $118,000 through various initiatives over four years. Honorees featured local restaurants like Las Brazas and organizations such as the Michael P. Gordon Memorial Foundation.

As applications open for new board members, attendees left with a reinforced commitment to supporting student growth through scholarships or mentorships.