Suburban Life, DuPage Credit Union recognize area student scholars

Suburban Life Media and the DuPage Credit Union honored some of the best high school seniors in the western suburbs May 3 at the Suburban Life Scholars Awards Reception at Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodridge.

Forty-four students from public and private schools received certificates for their accomplishments, and two students, James Kenneally of IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst and Lydia Walsh-Rock of Downers Grove South High School, each received a $2,000 scholarship.

Kenneally has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.

“I’ve always been interested in serving my country,” he said.

Kenneally credited his family, teachers and friends for helping him succeed in high school.

“It’s definitely the support system," he said. "They helped motivate me.”

Walsh-Rock will attend the University of Illinois and plans to major in physics.

She said her extensive involvement at Downers Grove South helped her achieve her goals.

“Being involved in a lot of things has helped me,” Walsh-Rock said.

Suburban Life recognized area students as Suburban Life Scholars from September 2016 through March 2017, based on nominations from teachers, administrators and counselors.

The media group narrowed down honorees to a group of finalists for the scholarships, and DuPage Credit Union selected the winners.

“It is a true honor to recognize the great talent we have in the communities we serve,” said Laura Shaw, director of niche publishing for Shaw Media. “The Suburban Scholars program gives us an opportunity to share these stories and celebrate our students' successes.”

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2016-17 Suburban Life scholars

Addison Trail High School – Ryan Cabildo, Lilia Garcia, Klea Gjonja, Alex Gunnerson, Jonathan Loi, Annalise Morrone, Veronique Robins

Benet Academy – Andrea Cruz, Katie Ford, Madison Gabouer, Noah Scott Helm, Alexandra Munson, Joseph Ravichandran, Katherine Telford

Downers Grove North – Anthony Castelvecchi, Natalie Flynn, Emily Grigg, Abigail J. Murphy, Bianca Spalla, Christopher Wilford

Downers Grove South – Lydia Walsh-Rock, Valerie Blackmore, Karina Kling, Vanessa Patino, Jon Joshua Urgello

Hinsdale South High School – Brian Rudolph

IC Catholic Prep – James Kenneally, Kaitlyn Grady, Robert Vitek

St. Francis High School – Elizabeth Allgaier, Katherine England, Calista Furlano, Katherine Granbom, Victoria Martin, Lillian Rodriguez, Katherine Kubik

Willowbrook High School – Mustafa Ali, Kyla Denwood, Piarre Easley, Vineet Patel, Valentina Poggi, Tim Wagner, Makena Walsh

York Community High School – Amelia “Molly” O’Halloran