Towanda Lions Club Scholarship Winners
Steve Liebenow Memorial Scholarship Winners
2023 - Evan Kraft and Trinity Pate
The Towanda Lions Club voted to award two scholaships in memory of former club member and local educator Steve Liebenow. The 2023 recipients are Evan Kraft and Trinity Pate. Both are seniors at Normal Community High School and residents of Towanda, Illinois. Lion Parker Bain, scholarship commitee co-chair, presented scholarship awards to the winners at the June 8, 2023 Lions Club meeting.
Evan is a member of the National Honor Society and member of the Normal CommunityHigh School FFA, Cross Country and Track and Field teams, active in his local church, Towanda 4th of July Celebration, Ecology Action Center and McLean County Pheasants Forever. Evan plans to attend Illinois State University with an ultimate goal to work in Agribusiness.
Trinity is a captain on the NCHS Varsity Dance Team and is involved in community service with the Girl Scouts, 4-H, Boy Scouts pancake breakfast and volunteering at the American Legion. Trinity plans to attend Illinois Wesleyan University and complete a degree in Elementary Education.
2022 - No scholarship was awarded. No applications were submitted.
2021 - Maddie Kraft
Maddie plans on working with animals in the future. To fulfill this vision she is transferring to Iowa State University after 2 years at Black Hawk Community College. At Iowa State she plans to get a bachelor's degree in Animal Science with a minor in Animal Ecology as well as completing the service dog training program.
Mackenzie is a freshman at Iowa State University majoring in Animal Science. Throughout her life she has been very active in 4-H and other organizations and activities benefitting the Towanda community. Upon college graduation, Mackenzie plans to return to the Towanda area and focus on animal nutrition at her family’s farm.
2019 - Sarah Kraft
Sarah, a senior at Normal Community High School, is not only an outstanding student but is also very active in the Towanda community. She plans to major in business at Illinois State University.
2018 - Lexi Showalter
Lexi is a senior at Normal Community High School. She is a class officer, captain of the varsity dance team, and member of the National Honor and National Spanish Honor Societies. She is active in her local church and started her own business that teaches technology to senior citizens. Lexi plans to attend Illinois State University with her ultimate goal to become a dentist.
2017 – In 2017 the scholarship was moved from Fall 2017 to Spring 2018 to bring it into alignment with other scholarship applications available to high school seniors. No scholarship was awarded in 2017.
2016 – Emma Rients
2015 – Sara Reh
2014 – Jennie Barker
2013 – Katy Siebring
2012 – none
2011 – Heley Reh
2010 – none
2009 – Patti Nicholas
2008 – Edward Ross van Dongren
2007 – Ashley Gose
2006 – Britney Brown
2005 – Brant Kaufmann
2004 – none
2003 – Carley Meyers
2002 – Adam Orrick
2001 – Brienne Denny
2001 – Chris Walk
Lyle Merritt Memorial Scholarship Winners
The initial scholarship will be offered in 2022.