ORTHOPEDIC
ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Springfield, IL – The Orthopedic Center of Illinois Foundation (OCIF) is proud to announce the recipients of their two scholarships: Chelsea Nichols, a senior at Williamsville High School (WHS) has been awarded the Orthopedic Center of Illinois Foundation Scholarship and Zachary Mierzejewski, also a senior at Williamsville, has won the “Comeback Player of the Year” Scholarship.
Nichols, who will be attending the University of Missouri in the fall to major in pre-medicine and pursue a degree in orthopedic surgery, ranks 1 of 109. Her school activities include Golf, Youth and Government, National Honor Society, Student Council, Yearbook Staff, Senior Class President, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her community activities include WHS Operation Teen Safe Driving, STAND tutoring, WHS Teen Food and Gift Drive, Inner City Mission, LPGA State Farm Classic, Bowl for Kids’ Sake, and a volunteer for United Cerebral Palsy. She is 2010 WHS Valedictorian, 2009 Homecoming queen, an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the 2009-10 PSAE All Exceeds Team, a former Student of the Month, and the recipient of the Illinois Elks Association Most Valuable Student Award.
Mierzejewski, a student-athlete who will be attending Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville in the fall to major in electrical engineering, ranks 8 of 109. His athletic activities include soccer, track, and cross country. He is a Special Olympics Polar Plunge Volunteer, volunteered on the Williamsville Community Tornado Clean-up Crew, is a YMCA Youth Soccer Trainer and Assistant Coach, and volunteer for the Girl Scouts. He has won numerous awards, including: Illinois Society of Professional Engineers Scholarship, Cougar Scholarship, Scholar of the Week, Illinois State Scholar, PSAE All Exceeds Team, and been a member of the High Honor Roll.
The Orthopedic Center of Illinois Foundation awards two scholarships to deserving high school seniors each year. The OCIF Scholarship ($1,000, renewable up to four years) provides tuition assistance to a full-time college-bound student majoring in a health-related field. The “Comeback Player of the Year” Scholarship ($1,000, non-renewable) recognizes an area student-athlete who has been treated by an OCI physician. For more information on OCIF, please visit our Foundation website at www.ocif.net.