New scholarship honors late Crystal Lake coach, awards District 155 students who overcome adversity

Pat Harper always sought to inspire, both as a Crystal Lake youth coach and a father.

A scholarship created in his memory looks to do the same. The Patrick B. Harper Scholarship Foundation recently awarded its first two scholarships. The foundation’s mission is to provide $1,500 scholarships to Crystal Lake-based Community High School District 155 students who have overcome adversity in their lives.

“We just kind of thought about some of the things my dad was passionate about in his life and defined who he was,” said Kyle Harper, who formed the foundation with his mother, Donna. “He was my coach, but he loved being a coach to other kids as well.

“One of the things he loved about sports was it forced kids to go through adverse situations. Beginning to learn how to handle those situations was important in helping them be successful in life.”

Kyle Harper said his father, who died unexpectedly in 2015, enjoyed rewarding children for their ability to overcome. So when the family decided to create a foundation in his name, awarding scholarships based on overcoming adversity made sense.

Diagnosed with epilepsy at age 13, Pat Harper experienced some challenges, but he never let the condition define him, said his wife, Donna.

“He still was able to have a completely normal functioning life, but it wasn’t easy,” she said. “He had to face some adversity to do what he did. After he passed away, we wanted to keep his memory alive.”

Along with coaching youth baseball, basketball and Crystal Lake Raider’s football, Pat Harper started his own insurance agency in 1993. His wife now runs the Crystal Lake family business, Harper & Associates, Inc.

She said the family formed the foundation to provide opportunities for young people, just as Pat Harper was so passionate about doing in his life.

After every game, he’d ask his players the same question, “Did you have fun today?”

“No matter the score, his aim was to instill a love of the sport and a work ethic that would last a lifetime,” according to the foundation website.

“It’s been six years, but it’s still emotional,” Donna Harper said of the loss of her husband. He would be pleased with the foundation, she said.

“He’s proud that instead of curling up and becoming bitter and angry we’re doing something positive,” she said. “We’re making lemonade.”

The first two Patrick B. Harper Scholarships went to recent District 155 graduates Sophia Wehby and Karina Bueno.

Bueno will be attending the University of Illinois at Springfield this fall to pursue a degree in social work, while Wehby is headed to Aurora University this fall with plans to double major in social work and criminal justice.

“I’m super grateful for the people that put on the scholarship and honored to be chosen,” said Wehby, who hopes to one day advocate for families and youth impacted by the child welfare system and sexual violence. She also wants to start her own nonprofit organization for youth who’ve experienced human trafficking.

A 16-year-old foster youth who has moved around more than 20 times throughout her life, Wehby was placed with Alicia Wehby of Crystal Lake about 15 months ago. Alicia Wehby founded Second Bridge and organizes an annual Stuff the Duffel fundraiser to support foster care children during their transition into new homes.

While Stuff the Duffel encourages community members to help pack duffel bags full of donated items, the nonprofit Second Bridge works with local foster care agencies as well as individual foster care families to fund a variety of requests, from essential supplies to specialized therapies and recreational activities.

Sophia Wehby said she didn’t qualify for many scholarships involving sports and other activities because of her frequent moves to different schools through the years.

When she saw the Patrick B. Harper Scholarship, she knew right away she wanted to submit an essay about “how education has really lifted me up and given me what I need to succeed.”

“It’s given me a place, a way to better my life and take control of my life and give back,” she said.

The Harper family said they were inspired by all of the applicants, especially the two winners.

“It was a difficult process trying to narrow it down to just two,” Kyle Harper said. “We’re incredibly excited for them and will be rooting for them.”