Lemont Students Recognized for Commitment to Volunteering

Three Lemont High School seniors were recently awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Lemont Junior Woman's Club (LJWC) for their outstanding contributions to the community through volunteerism.   

Conor Matthews, Katherine Washagan and Anna Wood were selected for LJWC’s 10th annual Volunteer Scholarship Awards, which were presented at the Lemont High School Honors Night on May 20.

The winners were selected based on their inspiring commitment to volunteerism, history of  outstanding community service and extra-curricular involvement, and strong academic performance. 

The scholarships will help support the winners’  academic pursuits for the 2013-1014 school year. 

“We believe volunteers play a vital role in our village, so we strongly encourage and support our young adults who volunteer their time to help others,” said Jill McAndrews, LJWC president.

Matthews donated 84 hours to the LJWC Safety Village Camp as an assistant and pre-teen counselor. He often uses his musical talents to give back to the community singing and playing piano for the Community Christian Church, and providing entertainment for Hope and Friendship Foundation events. 

Matthews will attend Belmont University in Nashville, TN, studying music and business.

Washagan is earning her Girl Scout Gold Award by painting Bethany Lutheran Church.  She also tutors other students in several subjects and is a member of Interact, a service club for high school students. 

Washagan served six summers donating time at the First Church of Nazarene, and organized a rollerskating fundraiser for Relay for Life the past four years. She plans to study chemistry at the University of Michigan.

Wood logged many service hours fundraising for Relay for Life, volunteering as a religious education aide, spending time with senior citizens and helping out at the Chicago Food Depository. She also served as a Red Ribbon Ambassador and prepared meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House.

Wood will major in biology at Loyola University Chicago
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Since its founding in 1993, the Lemont Junior Woman’s Club has provided financial and volunteer support to educational, civic and philanthropic efforts in Lemont. Members volunteer more than 7,000 hours and raise more than $20,000 each year to benefit the community