FRANK MULHOLLAND - Daily Union Managing Editor
Shelby County Sheriff Michael Miller has announced the winner of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association scholarship. Suzanne Walker, 18, daughter of Dale and Lois Walker of Windsor won the $500 scholarship. Walker graduated from Windsor High School in May 2009.
Walker is planning on attending Lake Land Community College in the fall.
“I am really not sure what I going to major in, but I thinking about teaching,” said Walker.
Walker wrote her essay on the question, What do you think is the biggest problem affecting the youth in your community? If you were to sit down with the sheriff to discuss this issue, what suggestions would you make in order to deal with this problem?
Walker, who was Salutatorian at Windsor, was very active in school. She was a member of FFA for eight years, a member of United Methodist Youth Group, and she participated in Illini Girls State in 2008. She also participated in cheerleading, volleyball, track, Spanish Club, Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, Art Club, Student Council and many other activities.
“I spent six weeks at the University of Michigan last summer taking part in the Environmental Health seminar put on by the Telluride Association,” continued Walker.
Sheriff Miller said he has nothing to do with the selection process.
“We send the essays to the Shelbyville Library and Shelly Koehler and the women who work there with her read all the essays and make the selection,” said Miller.
The Illinois Sheriff’s Association awards 105 scholarship awards each year. Miller said that effort is a meaningful expression of the Association’s confidence in, and respect for, education and training.
“Our goal is to provide assistance to worthy students in furthering their education and training with resources made available through the Associate Membership program of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association,” Miller continued. “I consider this scholarship program to be investment in the future leaders of Shelby County.”
The sheriff’s Association said these scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books, and fees only. The students must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the state of Illinois.
There will be no restriction on any applicant by reason of race, sex, age, creed, color or national origin. The only limitations are as follows:
*Applicants must be permanent Illinois residents.
*Scholarships must be utilized at institutions of higher learning within the State of Illinois.
*Students must be enrolled as a full-time student during the 2009-2010 school year (excluding summer session).
