The administrative council of East Peoria Community High School’s Alumni Fund is trying something new this year to cover administrative costs, and possibly add to the principle scholarship fund.
The council will host its First Annual Wine Tasting Event from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Festival Building in East Peoria with a wine expert from Super Liquor’s World of Wine.
The event will also include a silent auction with many items donated from local businesses, as well as an autographed Jim Thome baseball bat and Dale Earnhart Jr. replica helmet.
Since 1994, the EPCHS Alumni Scholarship Fund has awarded a total of $41,000 to students to help them continue their education with a scholarship for a two-year, four-year, or vocational school.
The fund has grown significantly since its first year when the council awarded one scholarship of $500. This year, seven students received scholarships totaling $6,000.
Suzy Vaughn, daughter of Timothy and Cindy Sullens and Cindy and Anthony Vaughn, won the first-ever Sam Pendola Jr. Class of 1956 Track and Field Scholarship.
Jack Goetz, son of Laura Derry, and Samantha Miller, daughter of Aaron and Janice Miller, were awarded the vocational/community college scholarship of $500 each. They will both attend Illinois State University next year.
Jessica Mallicoat, daughter of Tim and Shelly Mallicoat, received the Dennis R. Triggs Law and Public Servant Scholarship of $1,000 for her years of volunteering at a nursing home and several leadership positions held at school.
The EPCHS Alumni Merit Scholarship of $1,000 each was awarded to three students: Alison Aldag, daughter of Ken and Kim Aldag, Tim Nguyen, son of Tung Nguyen and Thao Tran, and Andrea Patten, daughter of Gary and Susan Patten.
The EPCHS Alumni Scholarship Fund is able to offer these awards through generous donations from EPCHS alumni.
Mark Skaggs is the chairman of the alumni council. He said continued growth of the scholarship fund is important for the students of EPCHS.
“These scholarships provide students with the opportunity to further their educational opportunities through financial assistance — no matter if they are pursuing a two-year degree, four-year degree, or vocational certificate,” he said.
Tickets to the Wine Tasting Event are $25, if bought in advance, and $30 at the door. More information can be found at the EPCHS Alumni Web site: http://home.comcast.net/~epchs-alumni/.
