Purpose:  To provide scholarships for graduates of Mattoon High School.
For information on donating to this fund, contact Joedy Hightower, President/CEO at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 217-342-4988 or click on the pledge card link below.

Mattoon High School Alumni Scholarship Fund pledge card

2012 Mattoon High School Alumni Scholarship Announcements

Even though the Mattoon High School Alumni Scholarship Fund was established one year ago, three students are receiving scholarships this year. 

Jessica Kenton received a $500 scholarship to attend Lake Land College.  Jessica plans to further her education in elementary education.  She would like to return to the Mattoon School system some day as a kindergarten teacher.  During high school she participated in softball, track, volleyball, National Honor Society, Key Club, and Student Council.  She also volunteered at PADS, Relay For Life and Special Olympics.  This scholarship is made in honor of the Helen K. Janssen Family.

April Perkins received a $1,000 scholarship to attend Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.  April plans to further her education as a pre-med major.  She was a member of the Honors Band, MHS Colorguard, I.M.E.A., Mattoon Wavettes Dance Team and dance coordinator for the In Motion for Christ Youth group.  This scholarship is made in honor of the Florence Parker Fund, a separate donor advised fund managed by the Mattoon Area Community Foundation, that provided a challenge match to the scholarship committee that resulted in a gift of $20,000 to the scholarship fund.

John Janoski received a $1,000 scholarship to attend Eastern Illinois University.  John plans to further his education in secondary education and mathematics.  During high school he participated in soccer and football, was a member of the National Honor Society, and a life guard at Lytle Pool.  This scholarship is made in honor of the Helen K. Janssen Family.

Bill Hamel and John Doty, members of the Mattoon High School Alumni Scholarship Committee presented the awards to the students at Mattoon High School’s Awards Night.  Other committee members are Lawrence Gaskill, Marla Miller, Roxanne Lilly, Clay Dean & John Janssen.

According to David Janssen, co-founder of the MHS Alumni Scholarship Fund, “The community has overwhelmingly supported this effort, and our fundraising goals continue to be exceeded.  We are currently working to raise an additional $10,000 by the end of this year.  This scholarship program is an excellent way for us to invest, attract and retain the next generation of future leaders and philanthropists in Coles County,”

A Founder’s Club Program was established to honor the first 100 contributors of $100 - $1,000 to the fund.  In its first year the fund has raised over $58,000, has 88 founding charter members and represents donors from 40 different Mattoon High School classes from 1944-2010. 

Mattoon High School Class donations include: Class of 46 - $1,000; Class of 61 - $500 and Class of ’71 - $500. The committee plans to meet with reunion committees over the next five years to seek additional Class and individual donations.

Donors

The MHS Alumni Scholarship Fund was created by Alumni and Friends of MHS.  Donors making a contribution in 2011-2012 of $100 or more are recognized as a member of the MHS Alumni Scholarship Founders Club.