Congratulations to 19 Joliet Public Schools District 86 students who were selected as recipients of a 2026 Joliet Chamber of Commerce Education Scholarship. In addition to receiving a medal, trophy, and yard sign at the May Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspectors meeting, the students will receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend a college, university, or trade school after graduating from high school.
Students include: Hector Medina, T.E. Culbertson Elementary; Emmanuel Tovar Mondragon, M.J. Cunningham Elementary; Janiyah Ross, Dirksen Junior High; Leah Thomas, Eisenhower Academy; Caleb Arrazate Carrillo, Farragut Elementary; Alfonso Chavez, Forest Park Individual Education (I.E.) School; Sofia Bolivar Iriarte, Gompers Junior High; Cristel Mesina Malacara, Hufford Junior High; Aubree Ciszek, Thomas Jefferson Elementary; Jordin Purnell, Edna Keith Elementary; Natalia Beltran, A.O. Marshall Elementary; Penelope Watkins, Pershing Elementary; Benjamin Alvarado, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Hunter Wallace, Carl Sandburg Elementary; Mario Vargas, Isaac Singleton Elementary; Valentina Del Bosque-Banks, Taft Elementary; Amir Lyles, Lynne Thigpen Elementary; Matias Rosales Alvarado, Washington Junior High; and Gael Rodriguez Zarate, Woodland Elementary School.
“We are so proud of these students,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, “Thank you to the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry for spearheading such a rewarding program.”