As is tradition, the Naperville American Legion Post 43 will present its annual Citizen of the Year and its annual scholarship awards for graduating high school seniors this spring.
Nominate candidates for 2022 Citizen of the Year by March 30
Naperville American Legion Post 43 began naming a Citizen of the Year in 1986. Because of COVID-19, the Veterans organization did not have a Citizen of the Year for 2021. Organizers again will be awarding a single Citizen of the Year award for 2022 and the community is encouraged to assist members of the American Legion and the Judd Kendall VFW Post by identifying deserving candidates.
The 2022 Citizen of the Year will be recognized during the American Legion’s Awards and Recognition Banquet on April 16, 2022, held at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, 908 W. Jackson Avenue.
Nominees must be Naperville residents; and their service must have been performed in a volunteer capacity, rather than as part of compensated employment.
Any individual may nominate a candidate by sending a letter or email that includes a comprehensive description of the services the nominee performed, the time frame, duration, and significance of the service to others, and the category they are being nominated for, along with the name and contact information for the nominee and the person offering the nomination.
Letters from other individuals endorsing the nominee are encouraged to strengthen the nomination.
“Naperville is blessed with people who serve their fellow citizens,” emailed Rich Yndestad for the American Legion. “Typically, the judges have a very difficult task.”
Comprehensive information, attachments, and endorsements may be included, and are of great help to the committee in selecting the winner. Nominations may be mailed to The American Legion Post 43, Citizen of the Year, Post Office Box 4, Naperville, 60566 or emailed to r.yndestad@yahoo.com to arrive no later than March 31, 2022.
The winner will be announced in the local media and honored at The American Legion’s Awards and Recognition Banquet on April 16, 2022.
“So, fire up your keyboard, sharpen your pencil and make sure the selection committee knows about your candidate,” added Yndestad.
For information on recent Citizens of the Year and their contributions, visit naperlegion.org.
For more info, email Rich Yndestad at r.yndestad@yahoo.com or Nadia Baran rios.nadia@gmail.com.
American Legion Post 43 Scholarship applications due April 10
The Naperville American Legion Post 43 will award two graduates of the class of 2022 a $3,000 scholarship to assist in their pursuits of post high school education.
One scholarship will be presented to a student attending any technical/trade school, and a second scholarship will be presented to a student attending any degree granting college or university within the United States. Both awardees will need to provide confirmation of enrollment as payments will be made direct to each institution.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a resident of Illinois who is currently a senior at an accredited Illinois high school in the Class of 2022 and….
- Child, stepchild or grandchild or great grandchild of a member of Naperville American Legion Post 43, Chapter 43 Legion Riders, or Sons of the Legion Squadron 43
- Or currently a member of Boy Scout Troop 106, or The Ghostriders Sea Cadet VF-142 Squadron, or was a High School Oratorical Contest participant, or was selected to attend the 2021 Illinois Boys/Girls State under the sponsorship of Naperville American Legion Post 43
- Or the child of a Naperville military veteran who, while a resident and on active duty, was killed or suffered a disability of 50% or more as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Selection Criteria
- Academic achievement (GPA: high school transcript required)
- Send a letter listing accomplishments in the following areas:
- Leadership and participation in school and/or community activities
- Honors
- Community Service
- Patriotic Involvement
- Student essay describing the responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society. The essay shall be the original work of the student. Any other material must be footnoted. The essay shall not be longer than three typed pages, and will be formatted with one-inch margins, 1.5 line spacing and 12-point font.
- The grading of this essay will be based on grammar, spelling, originality, context, and content at a level consistent with exceptional high school work. Note! The essay may count up to 30% in selecting the winner.
Applications for Scholarship Award must be received by April 10, 2022
Send all required material listed above and supporting documentation to American Legion Post #43, P.O. Box 4, Naperville, IL 60566, Attention: Scholarship Committee; or email to post43@outlook.com. Kindly include your name, address, phone number and email address for contact information. Applications must be received by April 10, 2022.
The decision of the Scholarship Committee Judges is final, and all applicants will receive written notification that a decision has been reached. The winner will be notified by telephone and presentation of this award will take place at a COVID-safe location near the winner’s high school no later than May 21, 2022.
For more information, contact Todd Bertulis at (618) 250-3683 or todd.bertulis@gmail.com.
Members of the American Legion appreciate help spreading the word about these annual initiatives that serve the community.
