The Arlington Heights Memorial Library Foundation recently announced the winners of its 2026 trade school scholarship for District 214 students. This is the fourth year the Foundation has offered this scholarship, and the number of submissions was higher than ever.
“We’re continuously impressed by the makers in our community, many of whom take advantage of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Makerplace. We’re honored to encourage these young adults who are pursuing a career in the trades and appreciate the donations toward our scholarship fund,” said Lauree Harp, Founder and Chair of the Foundation.
This year’s winners include four graduates across District 214 schools. Nikola Van De Mark, winner of the Jeffrey P. Moroney Scholarship, is a student at John Hersey High School with plans to study aviation maintenance. German Ramirez, winner of the Hartnett Family Scholarship, is a Buffalo Grove High School senior who will continue his automotive technology education at Triton College this Fall. Eric Cisneros is a student at Elk Grove High School who will use the scholarship to continue his culinary training at Kendall College. Lastly, Savannah Manuel, a Prospect High School student, is preparing to launch a career as an esthetician through Tricoci Beauty University.
The Foundation, which supports the Arlington Heights Memorial Library and Makerplace, aims to inspire and promote education in skilled trades through its scholarship offerings. This year, the Foundation awarded four scholarships, each valued at $2,500. Among these were scholarships funded by friends and family of the late Arlington Heights resident and maker Jeffrey Moroney and the Hartnett Family Scholarship, sponsored by John Hartnett, a former member of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Foundation Board.
These scholarships were available to District 214 students and alumni aged 17 to 25 who are interested in pursuing careers in skilled trades that require advanced training other than a four-year bachelor’s degree. Eligible fields include plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, HVAC, machining, welding, cosmetology, and more. The Foundation will begin accepting applications for the 2027 scholarship in March of next year.
For more information on the scholarship and its criteria, visit www.ahmlfoundation.org/scholarship.