The Illinois High School Activities Foundation (IHSAF) is proud to announce its third class of recipients in the IHSAF Scholarship Program:
2025 IHSA Foundation Scholarships Recipients
- Division 1 | Darien Green | Christ the King High School | Chicago
- Division 1 | Mateo Juarez | Juarez High School | Chicago
- Division 2 | Matthew Steinberg | St. Charles East High School
- Division 2 | Morgan Ghys | Warren High School | Gurnee
- Division 3 | Benjamin Jett | Andrew High School | Tinley Park
- Division 3 | Ella Dabezic | Neuqua Valley High School | Naperville
- Division 4 | Kennedy DeBaillie | Orion High School
- Division 4 | Paxton Giertz | Seneca High School
- Division 5 | Ava Acton | Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin High School
- Division 5 | Marcus Russell | Normal Community High School
- Division 6 | Ari Leslie | Jersey High School | Jerseyville
- Division 6 | Greenlee Dust | Lutheran High School | Springfield
- Division 7 | Ella Umbdenstock | Red Bud High School
- Division 7 | Liv Rodgers | Father McGivney High School | Glen Carbon
Each of the 14 winners are currently seniors at IHSA member high schools and will receive a $1,000 scholarship towards their future education. To be eligible for the scholarship, the candidates must be seniors at IHSA schools who plan to:
A) Major in Education in college (or)
B) Intend to get involved in the coaching profession after high school (or)
C) Are currently licensed and actively working as an IHSA official.
“The goal of the IHSAF is to support the mission of the IHSA, and that mission cannot be achieved without the next generation of educators, coaches, and officials,” said Dr. Robert Nolting, the Superintendent of District 230 and President of the IHSAF Board of Directors. “We are incredibly proud to be able to present scholarships to these 14 deserving young people who will positively impact high school students in the near future, as well as those already making a difference as licensed IHSA officials.”
In 2024, the IHSAF began accepting public donations to help support its scholarship program, as the third class of recipients will have their scholarships funded in part by the family and friends of Ron McGraw and Mike Nissen. McGraw, who passed away in 2023, was a lifelong educator who concluded his career as an administrator at the IHSA. Nissen is a retired high school teacher and golf coach, who has coached in or worked at every IHSA Boys Golf State Final Tournament since 1965. Read more about the legacies of Ron McGraw and Mike Nissen here, or learn more about donating to the IHSAF Scholarship Program Fund by clicking here.
The Illinois High School Activities Foundation (IHSAF) is a private 401(c)3 non-profit organization that works in conjunction with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to support and advance the mission of the IHSA. In addition to the generosity of those associated with the McGraw and Nissen families, the IHSAF raises funding via its annual golf outing, named in honor of former IHSA Executive Director Dr. Marty Hickman, as well as other initiatives.
The 14 scholarship winners told their stories via a video submission, reflecting on how high school participation has impacted their lives, as well as why they have been inspired to teach, coach, or officiate.
The IHSAF is governed by an independent Board of Directors comprised of personnel from IHSA member schools. To learn more about or contribute to the IHSAF, click here.