New Lenox Celebrates Future Leaders at Scholarship Dinner
On June 17, a festive dinner was held at Gatto’s in New Lenox, organized by the Lincoln-Way Area Business Women’s Organization. This event served to honor 29 outstanding young women who are the recipients of the organization’s 2025 scholarships.
Each of the 29 scholarship recipients was awarded a sum of $1,480 to support their educational ambitions. The impressive number of recipients this year rose to 29, up from 26 in 2024, reflecting the organization’s commitment to empowering women in the community.
Honorees Include:
- Kailyn Barr
- Sophia Barrett
- Mira Bhargava
- Addison Bohash
- Gabriella Cox
- Natalie Esposito
- Ava Gentry
- Lucy Haas
- Keara Hawkins
- Mia Klosowski
- Nonoka Kubota
- Jaylyn Kucera
- Chloe Miller
- Ana Monasterio
- Olivia Murray
- Brianne O’Toole
- Amelia Peterson
- Emily Riebe
- Avery Riiff
- Amelia Rogers
- Abigail Salgado
- Natalee Schellhas
- Liliana Terlep
- Emily Tigchelaar
- Shelby Trendl
- Kate Vock
- Emily Vogdes
- Hannah Vogt
- Hanna Winkleman
The dinner not only celebrated the achievements of these young women but also marked the culmination of the organization’s fundraising efforts throughout the year. “The amount per person also increased,” stated Jennifer M. McManus, spokesperson for the organization, highlighting their continuous efforts to raise more funds and award larger scholarships annually.
The Lincoln-Way Area Business Women’s Organization, now a 501(c)(3) entity since 2024, aims to provide financial support for women residing in New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena, and Manhattan, or those who are graduates of Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210. To support this mission, the organization hosted a successful holiday auction on December 4, which raised approximately $38,000, significantly higher than previous years’ totals.
Fundraising Overview:
- 2024: $36,827.90 raised
- 2023: $28,000 raised
- 2022: 24 recipients, each receiving $1,000
- 2023: 30 recipients, each awarded $1,250
- 2024: 26 recipients, awarded $1,450 each
- 2025: 29 recipients, receiving $1,480 each
For those interested in learning more about the Lincoln-Way Area Business Women’s Organization, including information on meetings and membership, please visit lwabwo.org.
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