Pete's Pals
The Peter J. Herchenbach Memorial Scholarship Fund
a recognized 501c charitable corporation with annual IRS 990 filings.
EIN# 65-1301774
Due to continuing Covid-19 limitations we will not be holding a Pete's Pals event again this year.
Our health challenged scholars - who are the highlight of our events - would still be put at undue risk.
Six 2021 scholarships were awarded, including new awards to Chadi Amzil and Ashley Stich (see Scholar News). Donations are therefore much appreciated via this site (Donate button above). Thank you!
NEWS | SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Learn more about the 30 deserving recipients to date of the Peter J. Herchenbach Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Marc Zider
Founding Recipient - 2007 & 2008
Marc graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2013 but passed away in January 2014 at his apartment in Iowa City, IA, with his guitar at his side. He had an impressive lifetime despite compounding health challenges his entire life.
Haley White
2008 Recipient
Haley graduated in 2012 from the Honors University at Lake County College. Haley continues to help others in Lake County with her hippotherapy skills.
Jennifer Sutton
2009 Recipient
Jennifer graduated from Southern Illinios University and fulfilled her dream of being a fashion designer in New York City before succumbing to Freideich's ataxia on June 24, 2018 at age 25.
David Heinrich
2010, 2013 & 2014 Recipient
David completed two years of the University of Illinois' aerospace engineering program, and 4 of 5 years of his Syracuse University architecture degree before passing away on March 3, 2017. David consistently epitomized the character and courage of our Pete's scholars.
Kylene Ogborne
2011-2014 Recipient
Kylen has graduated with her Nursing degree from Elmhurst College and is now a practicing Registered Nurse in the Chicago area, happily married and a mom!
Joanna Lagedrost
2012 Recipient
Joanna earned her journalism degree from Notre Dame in South Bend despite her mounting physical challenges caused by Freidreich's ataxia. This courageous lady passed away October 17, 2018 at age 25.
Cynthia Jasso
2012-16 Recipient
Cynthia finished both her undergraduate Business Administration degree and MBA at Robert Morris University with honors and happily resides in Waukegan.
Stephanie Collins
2013, 2015 & 2016 Recipient
Stephanie has completed her BS degree in Chinese Studies at the University of Oregon. She worked in China for the U.S. State Department and with Mobility International USA.
Aunur Escutia
2014, 2015 & 2017 Recipient
Anuar earned his BA in Marketing & Graphics studies at the University of Illinois in Champaign and then his Masters of Social Studies.
Jim Couch
2009 Recipient
Jim earned his BS in Computer Engineering at University of Iowa in 2014 and is a software engineer in Chicago.
Jenna McKeown
2010 Recipient
Jenna graduated with her BS in Nursing from St.Mary's at Notre Dame, and is now working in the bone marrow transplant unit of Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, IL.
Lauren Holbrook
2011 Recipient
Lauren completed her studies and missionary work at BYU majoring in History, met her husband Dan thanks to their mutual love of movies, and is happy and healthy in Indianapolis.
Frank Siriano
2011 Recipient
Frank earned his Associates Degree in HVAC Studies from Harper College and is working in Chicago.
Lauren Kelly
2013 Recipient
Lauren studied at Harper College, close to home, after attending University of Iowa in the Fall semester.
Joshua Tillman
2014, 2016 & 2017 Recipient
Josh earned his Graphic Arts degree from McHenry Community College and is now an innovative graphic designer in Woodstock, IL.
Ethan J. Gray
2015 Recipient
Ethan completed his BA at St. Xavier University in Chicago and is an impressive freelance illastrator: https://www.artstation.com/graycomics
Anna Monroe
2015 -2020 Recipient
Anna finished her B.S. in Exercise Science/P.T and is entering her 2 years of studies towards her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Saint Louis University.
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Olivia Tomassetti
2018 - 2021 Recipient
Liv graduated from Libertyville H.S. and is in her 4th year of the 6-year law degree program at DePaul University in Chicago.
Abigail Tonkey
2019-2021 Recipient
Abbie graduated from Grayslake H.S. and is entering her Junior year studies towards a Nursing degree at Purdue University.
Shria Haidipurker
2019-2021 Recipient
Shria graduated from Neuque H.S. in Naperville and is entering her Junior year Biology studies at Loyola University in Chicago.
Olivia Sergot
2020-2021 Recipient
Olivia graduated from New Trier H.S. and is about to start her Sophomore Nursing studies at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.
Chadi Amzil
2021 Recipient
Chadi moved form Morroco to get brain tumor treatments in 2015, then conquered leukemia to enter his Freshman studies at Loyola-Chicago.
Mayra Davila
2019 Recipient
Mayra graduated from Round Lake H.S. and studying clinical psychology at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass.
Our 'Class of 2020' Scholars
Left to Right:
Kelsey Ziemnisky from Libertyville H.S. used her 4th Pete's Scholarship to earn her BSN at the University of Alabama and is an operating room nurse at Vanderbilt Medical Center.
Jake LaGasse from Fremd H.S. used his 4th Pete's Scholarship to graduate from Indiana University's Kelly Business School. and is working at CDW.
Brad Gardner from Spring Grove, after a year recovering from a life changing double lung transplant, used his 4th Pete's Scholarship to earn his BS from UW-Steven's Point's Fisheries & Water Sciences.
Ian Freedman from Fremd H.S. recently graduated from the University of Michigan's Computer Science program;
Cale Carpenter from Harvard H.S. used his 4th Pete's Scholarship to graduate from North Central College's Interactive Media program;
Amanda Zupek from Carmel H.S., earned her 5th Pete's Scholarship to complete her Montana State University's Cell Biology & Neuroscience degree.
Ashley Stich
2021 Recipient
Ashley graduated from St. Joseph's H.S. in Kenosha and is studying at UW-Parkside despite challenges from a stroke caused by MoyaMoya disease.
We always love to hear from our past recipients. If you have any recent pictures or information you would like to share, please email us!