5/19/2026 - Marquette Bank Awards 64 Scholarships to Local Students

Release date: 5/19/2026

Orland Park, IL (May 19, 2026) - Marquette Bank, a locally-owned neighborhood bank, continued their tradition of awarding scholarships to local graduating seniors. This year, the Marquette Bank Education Foundation awarded individual scholarships of $3,000 to 64 graduating seniors from Chicagoland schools, a $500 increase from last year!

"At Marquette Bank, we believe in investing in students who make a positive impact both in the classroom and in their communities.," said Christie Cox. "These scholarship recipients have shown remarkable dedication through volunteerism, leadership, and academic achievement, and we are honored to support them in reaching their future goals."

Since 1968, more than $4.3 million has been awarded to over 2,100 high school seniors from Chicagoland neighborhoods. Students were selected based on financial need, scholastic achievement and a record of volunteer service in their communities. The scholarship can be used for any post-secondary education program, including: four-year universities, community colleges and vocational training schools.

Listed are the 2026 Marquette Bank Education Foundation Scholarship recipients (note: information is listed by Student's hometown/location and includes student's name, high school and the institution they will attend):

Bellwood

• Ny'Jaree Cardine of Bellwood; Christ the King Jesuit College Prep; Howard University

Blue Island

• Rosa Carrillo of Blue Island; Eisenhower High School; University of Illinois Chicago

• Anthony Aguilar of Blue Island; Mount Carmel High School High School; Marquette University

Bolingbrook

• Keira Boyce of Bolingbrook; Bolingbrook High School; Saint Mary's College

Burbank

• Cristina Guerrero of Burbank; Reavis High School; Northwestern University

• Byan Tawil of Burbank; Universal School; Moraine Valley Community College

Chicago

• Aija Sawyer of Chicago; Air Force Academy High School; Northern Illinois University

• Wendy De Paz of Chicago; Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School; Oxford College of Emory University

• Anahi Aparicio Martinez of Chicago; Benito Juarez Community Academy; University of Illinois Chicago

• Mykia Meadows of Chicago; Bogan College Prep High School; Undecided

• Shania Moore-Rivera of Chicago; Catalyst Maria High School; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Kennedy Smith of Chicago; Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences; Michigan State University

• Martin Rodriguez of Chicago; Chicago Hope Academy; Olivet Nazarene University

• Alejandra Lopez of Chicago; Cristo Rey Jesuit High School; St. Catherine University

• Joanna Paz-Vazquez of Chicago; Curie Metropolitan High School; University of Notre Dame

• Brittany Smith of Chicago; De La Salle Institute; Juniata College

• Ariel Moses of Chicago; Englewood STEM High School; Millikin University

• Lauren Lowe of Chicago; Farragut Career Academy; Illinois State University

• Joshuar Mishael Flores Bejarano of Chicago; Gage Park High School; Columbia College Chicago

• Francisco Bahena of Chicago; Garcia High School; Loyola University Chicago

• London Henderson of Chicago; Goode STEM Academy High School; Illinois Wesleyan University

• Ema Mora of Chicago; Hancock High School; Bradley University

• Ricardo Castanon of Chicago; Hubbard High School; Trinity College

• Victor Manuel Perez-Morales of Chicago; Infinity Math, Science and Technology High School; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Geremy Hoover of Chicago; Johnson College Prep; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Savannah Carroll of Chicago; Julian High School; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Yulissa Perez of Chicago; Kelly High School; Knox College

• Janvi Patel of Chicago; Kennedy High School; University of Illinois Chicago

• Antonio Wilson of Chicago; Lindblom Math & Science Academy High School; DePaul University

• Nayelli Verduzco Aviles of Chicago; Mansueto High School; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Annabella Arevalos of Chicago; Morgan Park Academy; Bradley University

• Noah Gordan of Chicago; Morgan Park High School; Morehouse College

• Andi Sheedy of Chicago; Our Lady of Tepeyac High School; Columbia College Chicago

• Alexis Robinson of Chicago; Perspectives/IIT Math & Science High School; Chicago State University

• Tyshay Sims of Chicago; Phillips Academy High School; Harold Washington College

• Owen Snow of Chicago; Saint Ignatius College Prep High School; University of Colorado - Boulder

• Meagan Walker of Chicago; Simeon Career Academy; Xavier University of Louisiana

• Christina Torres of Chicago; Solorio Academy High School; Columbia College Chicago

• Emely Martinez of Chicago; Soto High School; Saint Xavier University

• Nicole Diaz of Chicago; St. Laurence High School; Carthage College

• Daniella Black of Chicago; Tilden Career Community Academy High School; University of Illinois Chicago

• Gabriella Alongi of Chicago; Trinity High School; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

• Damarco Mulligan of Chicago; Urban Prep. Academies High School Englewood Campus; Chicago State University

Evergreen Park

• Jade Alfano of Evergreen Park; Evergreen Park High School; University of Tennessee

Hazel Crest

• Chase Jordan of Hazel Crest; Leo Catholic High School; Augustana College

Lemont

• Natalia Krol of Lemont; Lemont High School; Undecided

Markham

• Meagan Torry of Markham; Tinley Park High School; Wentworth Institute of Technology

Midlothian

• Oluwatoyosi Komolafe of Midlothian; Oak Forest High School; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Mokena

• Margaret Lundy of Mokena; Lincoln-Way Central High School; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

New Lenox

• Grace Lustig of New Lenox; Providence Catholic High School; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Oak Lawn

• Josip Paraga of Oak Lawn; Brother Rice High School; Boston College

• Kriste Mikutis of Oak Lawn; Marist High School; Marquette University

• Norah Smith of Oak Lawn; Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School; Marquette University

• Rawan Ali of Oak Lawn; Oak Lawn Community High School; University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Orland Park

• Hannah Kristin of Orland Park; Sandburg High School; University of Iowa

Orland Hills

• Chanel Watkins of Orland Hills; Andrew High School; Elmhurst University

Palos Hills

• Jessica Samolej of Palos Hills; Stagg High School; University of Missouri-Columbia

Posen

• Dulce Cervantes of Posen; Bremen High School; Saint Xavier University

• Gavin Jedlicka of Posen; St. Rita of Cascia High School; Michigan State University

Summit

• Grishma Patel of Summit; Argo Community High School; University of Pittsburgh

Tinley Park

• Holland Winthrop of Tinley Park; Chicago Christian High School; Texas Christian University

• Lily Bonovich of Tinley Park; Lincoln-Way East High School; Purdue University

Robbins

• JeNya Holmes of Robbins; Richards High School; University of Illinois Chicago

Worth

• Olivia Wal of Worth; Shepard High School; Marquette University

The Marquette Bank Education Foundation Scholarship Program is part of the Marquette Neighborhood Commitment, which is an initiative that performs service projects in the areas of shelter/housing, hunger, education and health/wellness. For more information on the Marquette Neighborhood Commitment or scholarship program, call 1-888-254-9500 or visit emarquettebank.com/neighborhood.

Photo Caption: The Marquette Bank Education Foundation awarded 64 scholarships of $3,000 to graduating high school seniors. Since 1968, the program has awarded over $4.3 + million in scholarships helping over 2,100 students from Chicagoland neighborhoods.

2026 Scholarship Program Award Photo Gallery:
https://emarquettebank.com/2026scholarship

About Marquette Bank:

Marquette Bank is one of Chicagoland's largest remaining independent neighborhood banks. The bank has helped neighbors, families and businesses since 1945. Marquette Bank offers a full range of digital and in-person banking services including: consumer banking, business banking, home financing, commercial lending, trust services, student loans, investment, insurance and wealth management services. Marquette Bank is a subsidiary of Marquette National Corporation (MNAT), a diversified financial holding company, and has $2 billion in assets along with a local lending portfolio of $1 billion. Marquette Bank is a national leader in community development receiving twelve consecutive 'Outstanding' Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance ratings from its bank regulator the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The bank has been recognized with two Excellence and Innovation Awards from the Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI) and the Community Commitment Award for Volunteerism by the American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation.

Marquette Bank has banking centers in Chicago, Bolingbrook, Bridgeview, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Lemont, New Lenox, Oak Lawn, Oak Forest, Orland Park, Summit and Tinley Park Illinois. Marquette Bank is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. For more information visit: emarquettebank.com or call
1-888-254-9500.