Awarded a Warhawk-Lancer Scholarship as a member of the North Chicago Community High School Class of 2022, Gisele Trujillo entered the College of Lake County the following fall, planning on a career in computer science.
But after taking a psychology class her freshman year, her career goal changed from computers to eventually earning a master’s degree in social work and becoming a licensed clinical social worker, helping people with mental health issues.
“I like psychology more than computer science because you know why people do the things they do and how to help people with their mental health,” she said. “So, I switched majors sophomore year to psychology.”
Four years after her high school graduation, Trujillo received another diploma — a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northeastern Illinois University — with plans to get a job as a mental health advocate and begin work on her graduate degree as soon as possible.
Since Trujillo was one of nine Warhawk-Lancer Scholars four years ago, the program has grown nearly two and a half times, giving more and more North Chicago graduates what District 187 Superintendent John Price calls a “full ride” to CLC.
One of the members of the North Chicago Class of 2026 earning a Warhawk-Lancer Scholarship this year is Nailyn Vela. She plans to become a nurse, and eventually earn her four-year degree.
Vela is one of 29 Warhawk-Lancer Scholars from the North Chicago High School Class of 2026 who will be a CLC freshman this fall in Grayslake or Waukegan.
A Warhawk-Lancer Scholarship recipient receives full tuition to CLC for as many as three years if more than two years are necessary to complete the needed credits for an associate’s degree. Price said they get a computer, books, a $3,500 stipend for personal expenses, and access to a counselor.
Out of a graduating class of 215 students this year, 13.5% received Warhawk-Lancer Scholarships. Price said the growth has been steady, starting with six in 2021, 12 in 2022, 16 in 2023, 21 in 2024 and 25 last year.
“CLC is the number-one destination for our students,” he said. “They get to go there to begin their dream. A lot of generous people have helped our young people pursue their dreams.”
Price said the Faith Lutheran Church of Lake Forest, which holds an annual golf outing to donate to the scholarship fund, the Steans Family Foundation and the Gorter Family Foundation are major contributors.
The Rev. Jim Buckman, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, said when looking for a way to help their neighbors seven years ago, he reached out to Price to see what his congregation could do. When he learned about the Warhawk-Lancer Scholarships, he was sold on the idea of helping.
This year’s golf outing takes place at 7 a.m. on Sept. 12 at the Foss Park Golf Course in North Chicago. Buckman said people can register at Faithonthefairway.org. It has helped raise approximately $250,000 since it began.
Helping Trujillo through her journey at CLC and Northeastern was Mary Kenny, the director of success at the North Chicago Public Education Foundation. She mentors the Warhawk-Lancer Scholars through their college career. Many of them, like Trujillo and Vela, are first-generation college students.
Vela credits Kenny with helping her as she sought her scholarship and headed to CLC. The assistance was more than economic. There was help with the entire process of getting ready for the college experience, which will start with a course this summer.
“She was a big help academically and psychologically,” Vela said. “She helped all the students every time we needed it. She is very supportive.”
Hoping to get a car to help her get to and from Grayslake, Vela said the $3,500 annual stipend will help with her transportation needs. She plans to save most of it to use as she completes her work at CLC and moves on to a four-year college.
Trujillo said she has saved and banked most of her $3,500. Now she can use it to help fund her graduate studies.
