College Dreams Come True Thanks to Elks Scholarships

CHICAGO, Sept. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Are you a high school senior with a dream to go to college? Do you know one?

Nadya Okomoto from Portland, Ore., spent more than a year of high school legally homeless, but never lost sight of her dream to attend Harvard. Jay Little from Artesia, Miss., grew up in a single-parent household with no male role models and had to advocate for himself to reach his goal of attending college. Now, these 2016 top Most Valuable Student scholarship winners attend the colleges of their dreams, thanks in large part to the Elks National Foundation.

No dream is too big for the Elks National Foundation. This year, the ENF is investing $3.74 million in college scholarships for our nation's future leaders. We've invested wisely. MVS scholars—all of whom demonstrate scholarship, leadership and financial need—are graduating from college at a rate of nearly 90 percent, about 40 percent higher than the national average.

Through the contest, the ENF will award 20 top scholarships ranging from $20,000 to $50,000. The remaining 480 runners-up will receive $4,000 scholarships.

"This is making college possible for me and making college possible for all Elks scholars," says Nadya, who now attends Harvard College. "It's giving us the confidence that even at the age of 17 or 18 that we can make a difference."

Jay is also excited for his future thanks to the Elks support. "Winning the Elks National Foundation scholarship means that I can safely secure my future," says Jay, who now attends the University of Alabama.

The MVS scholarship is available to high school seniors who are United States citizens. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. Males and females compete separately and are judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. Applications for the 2017 contest are available online at enf.elks.org/mvs. The deadline is November 30, 2016. The 500 national winners will be announced in late April 2017, after the top 20 finalists participate in the Leadership Weekend in Chicago, April 6-9, 2017.

For complete Most Valuable Student scholarship contest details including the application, and to learn more about how the Elks are investing in your community, visit elks.org/enf.

Contact: Elks National Foundation
Christine Robinson | Communications Associate
2750 N. Lakeview Ave. | Chicago, IL 60614-2256
773/755-4860 | [email protected]

Helping Elks Build Stronger Communities

With nearly 800,000 members and more than 1,900 Lodges nationwide, Elks are providing charitable services that help build stronger communities across the United States. The Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, helps Elks build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet needs in areas where Elks live and work. To learn more, visit elks.org/enf.

SOURCE Elks National Foundation

Related Links

http://www.elks.org/enf