March 29, 2024
Downers Grove

St. Mary of Gostyn grad is recipient of Montini's Weiger Memorial Scholarship

Montini Catholic High School, on behalf of the Karl Weiger Family, announces the seventh annual Jonathan Weiger "Johnny Always Wins" Memorial Scholarship recipient, Daniel Petersen, from the Class of 2024.

Petersen is a graduate of St. Mary of Gostyn School in Downers Grove.

Each year, members of Montini's incoming freshman class are invited to submit an essay in order to be considered for the scholarship. The Weiger family selects a student displaying high moral character, a deep commitment to their faith and achieving academic excellence at the grade school level, to receive the scholarship.

Johnny Weiger joined Montini's school community for the 2011-12 school year as a member of the Class of 2015. He was also a member of Montini's football team with aspirations to continue his football career at Notre Dame. During Johnny's freshman year, he was diagnosed with leukemia. After undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant, his leukemia was cured.

As Weiger was preparing for his sophomore year, however, he was hospitalized with a rare blood disorder commonly referred to as TTP, which can be caused by a bone marrow transplant. He died on Nov. 4, 2012, due to complications from the TTP.

Petersen will receive a scholarship of $1,000 per year during his four years at Montini Catholic.

Eighth grade students planning to attend Montini Catholic next fall are invited to submit an application for the 2021 Johnny Weiger Memorial Scholarship. The application can be found on the school's website at:  montini.org/admissions/scholarships and should be mailed directly to the Weiger family for consideration: Johnny Always Wins Memorial Scholarship, 25720 Skyline Court South, Plainfield, Ill. 60585; Deadline for the 2021-22 school year is July 1.

The legacy of Johnny Weiger is celebrated every year at Montini Catholic's annual Charity Football Game. Fans attending this special game are encouraged to wear orange to spread awareness for those battling leukemia. Proceeds from this event go to the JAW (Johnny Always Wins) Foundation.