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.
Scholarship applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on March 6, 2025!
*When stating female, the YWCA Elgin refers to anyone who identifies as female.
Award & Scholarship Criteria
To be eligible for this award, the applicant must:
Be a female* high school senior.
Must be currently enrolled in a School District U-46 high school or home-schooled and living within the district’s boundaries.
Be planning to continue their education, not limited to college.
Exhibit evidence of strong leadership ability.
Exhibit involvement in community service.
Exhibit involvement in high school activities.
Exhibit involvement in activities that embody the YWCA Elgin’s mission.
*When stating female, the YWCA Elgin refers to anyone who identifies as female.
Application Instructions
The application is to be completed by the student applicant.
The application must be typed.
The application must be signed.
Attach two letters of reference: one from A high school teacher, counselor, or other school administrator and the second from a member of the community (non-relative).
Attach a copy of your unofficial high school transcript.
The application and supporting materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 6, 2025. Applications can be submitted by email to info@ywcaelgin.org, online, or by mail/in person to YWCA Elgin, 220 East Chicago Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Please do not bind or staple application materials.
Applications will be reviewed competitively, and each scholarship application will be scored on a 100-point scale. The point values for questions can be found on the application.
Selection Process
A panel of five judges will select the award/scholarship recipients. The panel of judges consists of three YWCA Elgin Board Members and two YWCA Elgin Leader Luncheon Committee Members. Applications will be reviewed competitively, and each scholarship application will be scored on a 100-point scale. Point values for questions can be found on the application.
If you do not receive a confirmation email after submission, please get in touch with the YWCA Elgin at info@ywcaelgin.org.
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.