Gena Fassino, Devanshi Patel earn 21st Century Scholar awards from Foundation

Gena Fassino of Peru and Devanshi Patel of La Salle were named co-21st Century Scholars at the 13th annual 21st Century Scholars Society dinner this fall at Senica’s Deer Park Golf Club in Oglesby. Each will receive $3,000.

Both scholars plan to become physicians; they were 2018 graduates of La Salle-Peru Township High School. Patel was the salutatorian, finishing second in a class of 253.

Other finalists for the Illinois Valley Community College Foundation award, Megan Brooker, Julianna Kitzmann and Gabriella Nanez, each received $1,500.

Patel, the daughter of Jitendrakumar and Geetaben Patel, emigrated to the U.S. from India when she was 5 years old. In her speech, Patel credited teachers at all levels of her education for her suc-cessful acclimation.

“They treated me as equal to the other children, supported me and cheered me on,” she said. “They taught me how to speak, write and understand English. My teachers showed me how to tackle the subjects I had difficulty with and sometimes taught me one-on-one.”

She thanked members of the 21st Century Scholars Society who contribute $500 a year.

“Thank you for your dedication, you commitment, your encouragement, your donations and most importantly, for choosing to support education,” Patel said.

Fassino, the daughter of Mike and Dena Fassino, credited her doctor and mentor Dr. Yesenia Valdez and IVCC Dean of Natural Sciences Ron Groleau for inspiring her success.

She said of Groleau, her anatomy and Physiology I and II instructor, “You go out of your way for all students in order for them to fully understand the material. You provide the most help and dedication I have ever experienced in the classroom.”

Nanez, daughter of Elicerio and Diana Nanez of Mendota, is a nursing student who hopes to become a nurse anesthetist.

Kitzmann, daughter of Frank and Jennifer Kitzmann of Marseilles, plans to study mechanical engineering.

Brooker, daughter of Jim and Sue Brooker of Granville, plans to major in actuarial science at the University of Illinois.

The Society awarded $750 Merit scholarships to Joannah Cisneros of Oglesby, psychology; Adrian Espinoza of Mendota, finance; Anna Holland of Manville, nursing; Kylee Mallery of Ti-skilwa, education; Jack O’Connor of Princeton, social work; Jacob Ritko of Streator accounting; Garret Shan of Oglesby, education; Michael Stoens of Lostant, engineering; and Mitchell Vickers of Streator, chemical engineering.

Honorable Mention awards of $500 went to: Wilson Copeland of Streator, engineering; Brogan Dougherty of Ottawa, accounting; Valerie Gordon of Marseilles, psychology; Olivia Holmes of Henne-pin, biology; Nathaniel Newman of Oglesby, accounting; and Ben Tran of Lostant, computer science.

In all, 20 students received a total of $20,250; since its founding in 2007, the Society has awarded over $180,000 to 157 students. To qualify, students need a minimum 3.5 GPA.

New Society members welcomed Thursday included alumni Larry and Gayla Johnson of Ottawa and five employees: economics instructor David Barnes; Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Bonnie Campbell and husband Al; Assistant Director of Admissions Aseret Loveland and husband David; Dean Ron Groleau and wife Kim; and criminal justice program director Kevin Hermes and wife Sherianne.