Marian Central Catholic, McHenry high school students earn Chick Evans Scholarships

Having two students awarded full four-year housing and tuition scholarships for college by the Western Golf Association, the principal of Marian Central Catholic High School said such an award is a testament to the students' hard work throughout high school.

A total of four local students have been awarded the Chick Evans Scholarship, given through the Evans Scholars Foundation, according to a recent news release from the Western Golf Association.

Twelve students from the Chicago area interviewed for the scholarship, which is awarded to golf caddies based on strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character, the release said.

One student from Marian Central, Hannah Gillespie of McHenry will attend the University of Notre Dame on a full four-year housing and tuition scholarship, according to the release.

"Hannah is an amazing student," Marian Central Principal Barb Villont said. "She's at the very top of her class."

Villont added Gillespie is a three-sport athlete, a pianist with the jazz choir, as well as the president of the school's National Honors Society.

The second student to receive the award, Alison Dobbins of Crystal Lake is part of the school's key club, along with the National Honors Society, Villont said. Dobbins plans to attend Indiana University, according to the release.

The association also lists Zachary Sielck from McHenry High School – East Campus and Emily Wolf from McHenry High School – West Campus. They will go to Purdue University and the University of Illinois, respectively.

"The Chick Evans Scholarship, awarded by the Western Golf Association, epitomizes hard work, dedication, and character," District 156 Athletic Director Barry Burmeister said in an emailed statement. "Words could not possibly describe the emotions, gratitude and relief that these two outstanding individuals must be feeling, knowing that their hours of sweat, hard work, dedication and the incredible character that they display each and every day, will be rewarded with a full education from one of the 19 prestigious Chick Evans Universities."

The scholarship is valued at more than $80,000 over four years, according to the Western Golf Association.

The selected students attend a partnering university with an Evans Scholars chapter, including the University of Illinois, Marquette University, Purdue University, Indiana University and University of Notre Dame.

Funding for the scholarships comes mostly from contributions by 27,600 golfers nationwide who are members of the WGA Par Club program, the release said. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $8 million per year and all proceeds from the BMW Championship are donated to the foundation, too.