Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Foundation to Offer Eight Scholarships This Year

Indian Head Park, Ill. (Dec. 23, 2020) – Applications for the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Foundation scholarship for graduating seniors are now open. Eight scholarships will be awarded in 2020, for a total value of $80,000.

The scholarships, created to carry on the legacy of the late Kelli Joy O’Laughlin of Indian Head Park, include:

  • Three $1,500 renewable scholarships (up to four years) awarded to high school seniors from Illinois. Value over four years: $6,000 per student and $18,000 in total
  • Three $2,500 renewable scholarships (up to four years) to high school seniors from Lyons Township High School, where Kelli was a student. Value over four years: $10,000 and $30,000 in total
  • Two $4,000 renewable scholarships (up to four years) offered to a pool of candidates from the above applicants. The scholarship requires an interview and proof of financial need, based on the Student Aid Report. Value over four years: $16,000 per student and $32,000 in total.

Students currently in their senior year of high school can learn about the requirements for the scholarship – which includes participation in a high school sport for at least three years, a 500-word essay and letters of recommendation from coaches, teachers and/or community sponsor — and apply on the fund’s website, http://www.kjofund2.com/. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. The deadline for applications is Feb. 12.

This scholarship exemplifies the spirit of Kelli Joy O’Laughlin in that community involvement is a basis for the award and for the yearly renewal for winners. “It’s always rewarding for us to have scholarship recipients come back and volunteer for the Foundation’s fundraising events. Even if they do some kind of other community services in their college years, this dedication to others reflects and carries on Kelli’s spirit,” says John O’Laughlin, Kelli’s father and founder of the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Foundation.

According to John O’Laughlin, the Foundation has distributed more than $600,000 over the past eight years. Adds Brenda O’Laughlin: “Our wish is for Kelli to be remembered through the spreading of “JOY” in her name.”

Winners will be announced in May 2020.