Youth Leadership
Award & Scholarship
The YWCA Elgin will present a $2,000 scholarship to one (1) female high school senior residing within the School District U-46 boundaries who demonstrates leadership characteristics and will pursue a higher education. Resources to help students complete their application, including one-on-one help, can be found at the bottom of this webpage.
The 2025 scholarship applications were due on March 6, 2025. They are currently under review by the Youth Leadership Award & Scholarship Judges. Applicants will be notified of the results by April 5, 2025.
*When stating female, the YWCA Elgin refers to anyone who identifies as female.
2024 Award Recipient
2024 - Kaitlyn Rose Iverson
2023 - Stephanie Skrabacz
Previous Awards Recipients
Resources
The following resources are available to help you prepare your scholarship essays.
NEW! One-on-One Help - The YWCA Elgin offers one-on-one help with your scholarship and award application. Eilis Corcoran, School Services Librarian at St. Charles Public Library, will review up to two drafts of your scholarship application and provide feedback. To utilize this service, please email Eilis at eilis.m.corcoran@gmail.com. The deadline for this service is February 28, 2025, by 5:00 pm.
Tutor.com - 24-hour Writing Assistance; Gail Borden Public Library card is required.
Grammarly.com - free AI-powered grammar and writing assistance
BrainfuseNow.com - 24-hour Writing Assistance; Streamwood/Poplar Creek Library card is required.
CollegeEssayGuy.com - Free Videos, Webinars, Guides, Podcasts, and Examples on Essay Writing.
Reddit Forum - This Reddit Forum titled “13 Reasons Why It’s OK to Write About Trauma in Your College Applications,” May Help with the Youth Leadership Application Question, “Please describe any struggles you have encountered.”
The University of California Guide to Personal Insight Questions - This guide helps break down essay questions to make students think about what’s being asked of them.