For a quarter of a century, the Cissna Park Education Foundation has been an integral part of our community’s education system, coordinating privately funded scholarships is one of the functions they play in this relationship.  This year, five awards were given to High School Graduates. 

It’s first year, the William Zbinden Memorial Scholarship was funded by a gift from his family, enabling this award to be presented each year for the foreseeable future.  Born, raised, and graduated from Cissna Park High School in 1956, Bill Zbinden earned a Doctorate in Education from the University of Illinois and, as part of his career, led the statewide implementation of Title 1 Special Education programs across Illinois.  It was this dedication to public education that led his family to establish a scholarship for a male and female graduate in his honor.  This year’s recipients of the William Zbinden Memorial Scholarship were Isaac Phelan and Julia Edelman

Carl Berg was a 2010 graduate of Cissna Park High School.  In his memory, the family created a scholarship for a graduate who is continuing their education at a junior college or Trade School.  The recipient of the Carl Berg Memorial Scholarship was Jaydin Tillman

Michael Gorman was a 2001 graduate of Cissna Park High School. Despite the obstacles of his Muscular Dystrophy, Michael became class valedictorian, a graduate of the University of Illinois, and had a successful career with an insurance firm.  In 2019, Michael passed away from complications of his disease.  In his honor, the Gorman family provides an award to a male and female graduate here at Cissna Park High School.  This year’s recipients of the Michael R Gorman Memorial Award were Julia Edelman and Isaac Phelan.

If you or your organization would like to know more about sponsoring a scholarship, please contact the Education Foundation:  cissnaparkfoundation@gmail.com