JOSEPHINE MARLEY BECKWITH FUTURE LEADERS
Since 1991, YWCA of Alton has awarded scholarships to high school senior women in the YWCA’s service area who demonstrate leadership and a sustained commitment to bettering their community. Two outstanding women will be honored with a $1,000 award at the YWCA of Alton Women of Distinction event on Thursday, August 26, 2021. Applications are due or postmarked by April 2, 2021. To obtain an application contact your local High school guidance counselor or call/email YWCA of Alton for an application: 618-465-7774 or info@altonywca.com Please note: As a recipient of the Josephine Marley Beckwith Future Leader Scholarship, you are eligible for a renewal for your sophomore, junior and senior years of study; following renewal criteria and acceptance.
Follow this link to donate to this scholarship fund!
Kathleen Botterbush (Renewal)
Kathleen majors in Biomedical Engineering, Pre-Med at Saint Louis University. Kathleen plans on attending medical school and later plans to become an orthopedic surgeon while specializing orthopedic traumatology and orthotic/prosthetic medicine. Kathleen makes a tremendous effort and takes pride in her volunteering within the Alton community.
Kathleen volunteers at YWCA of Alton, Alton First Presbyterian Church, and Marquette Catholic High School. Kathleen was a huge part in YWCA of Alton’s updated website, annual report of 2018, and designing program flyers.
Taryn Geiger
Taryn was a senior at Civic Memorial High School. Taryn was an Illinois State Scholar and a Silver Medallion. While she was involved in many different clubs and sports in high school, she still found time to give back to her community in many ways. Taryn created STEM projects for the Bethalto Boys and Girls Club, was a peer buddy at the CMHS Special Olympics, and aided the American Cancer Society in creating things for the Relay for Life SWAG bags.
Taryn is currently a freshman at the University of Alabama studying biology on a pre-medical track with a double minor in Spanish and psychology. Specifically, she would like to focus on pursuing a career as a pediatric surgeon, with a specialty in neonatal operations.
Kiara Hardmon (Renewal)
Kiara is currently a sophomore pursuing a Public Health degree at Saint Louis University. Outside of her classes, Kiara serves as the treasurer of the Caribbean and Latin American Student Association, works as a peer mentor, and continues to volunteer at the Health Resource Center along with other organizations in the St. Louis area. Kiara spent the past summer participating in a ten-week residential program at the University of Michigan School of Public Health where she participated in seminars, workshops, and field placements while she gained a better understanding of the public health profession.
Anna Johnson (Renewal)
Anna attends Massachusetts Institute of Technology while double majoring in Computer Science and Economics. Anna hopes to use her degree to work on international development projects, focusing on the economic aspects of development work.
Anna volunteers by helping students register for classes and help navigate around MIT during their first year.
Anna has been working in a research lab for the past 9 months on creating solar cells for agricultural irrigation pumps to use in India. She has also been working to make a protective covering for these cells that will soon be patented. She is excited because the work she has done at MIT will be shared with other researchers to improve the world’s availability to clean energy.
Faith Liljegran
Faith was a senior at Collinsville High School. Faith enjoyed a wide variety of experiences and opportunities during her time there. She was involved in a variety of sports, clubs, and organizations both in school and throughout the community. Some of these included National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Student Council, and the Class of 2020 Executive Board.
Ashlyn now attends SEMO and is working on a double major in finance and entrepreneurship with a minor in psychology. Faith’s goal is to also take interior design classes and invest in real estate while creating her own furniture line.
Taylor Mateyka (Renewal)
Taylor is junior at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. She is pursuing a degree in Genetics and Genomics with a minor in Stem Cell Studies. Taylor plans on attending medical school after her graduation in May of 2021. Taylor’s dream is being a Medical Geneticist while specializing in Biochemical Genetics and Pediatrics. This job will allow her to continue to work with individuals with disabilities. This job will also allow her to diagnose and create treatment plans for these children.
Taylor volunteers for many organizations on campus including Badgers for Special Olympics, Brain Injury Alliance, and Cardiac on Campus.