Thirteen outstanding Southern Illinois high school students have earned scholarships from the Garwin Family Foundation (GFF) to attend highly selective enrichment programs in STEM and the Arts.
Marsha Ryan, MD, JD, FACS, and GFF President: “The GFF is again proud to be awarding summer scholarships to the brightest and most dedicated local students in science, math, and the arts. It is our 13th year providing support to Southern Illinois public high school students, sending them to rigorous academic programs at prestigious campuses across the country. They will study hard, learn independent living skills in residence halls, and make friends who will last a lifetime. We are pleased to be able to contribute to a summer of learning for them.
This group of students is a tribute to Carbondale Community High School (CCHS) and Carterville High School (CHS), which provide these students with excellent academic structure and support close to home. We know these students will go on to change the world, and the GFF will be proud to have been a part in allowing them to expand their horizons, find their passions, and begin their journeys into the wider world. They are our future.”
The 2026 sponsorees are:
-
Francis Bu, Carbondale Community High School, rising Senior, RISE Internship Practicum, Boston University
-
Catherine Chyzhyk, Carterville High School, rising Senior, Genetic Detectives: Stray Cats Paternity and Predator Trails, Vanderbilt Summer Institute, Vanderbilt University
-
Isabella Dai, Carbondale Community High School, rising Sophomore, Neuroimaging: Seeing the Brain in Action, Michigan Math and Science Scholars, University of Michigan
-
Margaret Davis, Carbondale Community High School, rising Senior, Rising Star Pre-College Program, Savannah College of Art and Design, SCAD University
-
Trennis Hudson, Jr., Carbondale Community High School, rising Sophomore, Biophysics, Michigan Math and Science Scholars, University of Michigan
-
David Johnson, Carbondale Community High School, rising Senior, Environmental Science, Washington University Pre-College Program
-
Alexei Kadyrov, Carbondale Community High School, rising Senior, RISE Internship Practicum, Boston University
-
Claire Lu, Carbondale Community High School, rising Sophomore, Surface Chemistry, Michigan Math and Science Scholars, University of Michigan
-
Takamichi Miyoski, Carbondale Community High School, rising Sophomore, Graph Theory, Michigan Math and Science Scholars, University of Michigan
-
Mollie Mandell, Carterville High School, rising Junior, Research Intern Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
-
Reka Nabe, Carbondale Community High School, rising Junior, It’s a Matter of Life and Death: Bioethical Decision-Making, Northwestern University
-
Anne Popit, Carterville High School, rising Junior, Neuroscience: Understanding the Human Body’s Command Center, Summer Scholars Program, University of Notre Dame
-
Justice Rawlinson, Carterville High School, rising Junior, Classical Voice Intensive, Interlocken Center for the Arts
The GFF program has a lasting impact on recipients. It enhances their academic and artistic excellence through advanced studies, provides a competitive edge in college applications, and prepares them for college life through the development of time management and independent living skills. Previous scholarship winners have pursued undergraduate majors in the areas of their GFF-sponsored programs, and several have attended the elite universities where they participated in summer enrichment activities.
This is CHS’s fourth year of participation in the summer program. Their principal, Todd Rogers, says, ” It is an honor to extend our collaboration with the Garwin Family Foundation, and we look forward to witnessing the meaningful growth our students achieve through these exceptional summer opportunities. ”
CCHS is currently in its thirteenth year of participating in GFF’s summer program. Dr. Daniel Booth, CCHS superintendent, states, “The Garwin Family Foundation’s support of Carbondale Community High School students stands as a national model of philanthropy and community investment. This partnership demonstrates the incredible impact that can be achieved when individuals and organizations come together to expand opportunities for young people. Through the educational and experiential learning opportunities made possible by GFF scholarships, students gain exposure to new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities that help shape their futures. These experiences are not only intellectually enriching and thought-provoking, but they also inspire students to discover their passions, define their goals, and develop a greater sense of purpose. “
Now, with CCHS graduates excelling in college and completing their master’s or doctoral degrees, the administration has witnessed the personal and academic growth of students who have participated in GFF’s programs. Dr. Booth continues, “The Foundation’s generosity has made a lasting difference in the lives of our students and throughout our school community, and we are deeply grateful for their continued commitment. We look forward to strengthening this meaningful partnership for many years to come.“
GFF will accept applications for 2026-2027 later this fall for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors attending Carbondale, Carterville, Herrin, and Murphysboro public high schools. The application includes a two-step application process, recommendation letters and assessments from the students’ teachers and guidance counselors, and interviews.
The GFF, a tax-exempt operating foundation based in Carbondale, IL, was established in 1993 by Leo and Ruth Garwin. The Foundation is committed to providing extraordinary summer academic experiences for highly motivated public high school students from rural Southern Illinois. It empowers these students to forge meaningful connections with peers, push beyond their perceived limits, and explore their passions, paving the way for future success.
For more information, contact GFF Student Sponsorship Program Administrator Vanessa Sneed at garwinffpm@gmail.com
