Chamber Celebrates 2014-15 Scholarship Winners and Interns
May 11, 2015 12:00 AM
The Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of the 2014-15 Chamber Young Entrepreneur Scholarships and the successful participants of the Chamber’s internship programs. Students will be recognized and celebrated at the Chamber’s May 12 Business After Hours event at Cheney Mansion.
The Chamber’s Scholarship Committee selected Brian Cassidy of River Forest and Daniel Bevan of Oak Park to receive Young Entrepreneur Scholarships. Each student will receive a $1,000 grant to be used towards post-secondary education. The committee of local business leaders chose the winners based on their demonstrated entrepreneurship, business acumen and interest in pursuing business education. Both Mr. Cassidy and Mr. Bevan are students at Oak Park River Forest High School and have completed coursework in the OPRF School of Business, under the direction of Pete Hostrawser.
“We were so impressed with Brian and Daniel,” said Carol Mancini, Scholarship Committee Chairperson and Chamber Board Member. “Both young men delighted us with their business experience and their commitment to that entrepreneurial spirit. We are confident that they will go far and we are happy to help them get started.”
“The Chamber also gratefully recognizes the many Chamber members who contributed to the scholarship fund this year. In particular, we want to thank Chris Everett of Everett Wealth Solutions for pledging a $1,000 matching grant, enabling us to offer two scholarships this year,” said Ms. Mancini.
In addition to scholarships, the Chamber promotes the business education of local students through internships. In 2014-15, the Chamber worked with five students, including two college students and three high school students. “We are very appreciative of the work our interns do for us in the Chamber office,” said Cathy Yen, Executive Director. “The students bring energy and enthusiasm as well as skills. We’ve enjoyed watching them grow professionally through their work on Chamber projects.”
Concordia University seniors Kenya Chavez and Vanessa Zepeda each completed semester-long college internships focused on graphic design and marketing. OPRF School of Business senior Mecca Highsmith focused on online event marketing through the Chamber website during his fall internship. OPRF students Lauryn Howard, a sophomore, and Danny Horne, a freshman, joined the Chamber in the spring through the Motivational Mentorship program under the direction of Stephen Jackson. Ms. Howard helped market multiple events through social media. Mr. Horne created a highlight video for the Chamber’s recent “Bite Nite” event.
The Chamber is committed to building relationships with our school partners. Educators interested in developing future internship partnerships with the Chamber should contact Cathy Yen in the Chamber office.
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The Chamber’s Scholarship Committee selected Brian Cassidy of River Forest and Daniel Bevan of Oak Park to receive Young Entrepreneur Scholarships. Each student will receive a $1,000 grant to be used towards post-secondary education. The committee of local business leaders chose the winners based on their demonstrated entrepreneurship, business acumen and interest in pursuing business education. Both Mr. Cassidy and Mr. Bevan are students at Oak Park River Forest High School and have completed coursework in the OPRF School of Business, under the direction of Pete Hostrawser.
“We were so impressed with Brian and Daniel,” said Carol Mancini, Scholarship Committee Chairperson and Chamber Board Member. “Both young men delighted us with their business experience and their commitment to that entrepreneurial spirit. We are confident that they will go far and we are happy to help them get started.”
“The Chamber also gratefully recognizes the many Chamber members who contributed to the scholarship fund this year. In particular, we want to thank Chris Everett of Everett Wealth Solutions for pledging a $1,000 matching grant, enabling us to offer two scholarships this year,” said Ms. Mancini.
In addition to scholarships, the Chamber promotes the business education of local students through internships. In 2014-15, the Chamber worked with five students, including two college students and three high school students. “We are very appreciative of the work our interns do for us in the Chamber office,” said Cathy Yen, Executive Director. “The students bring energy and enthusiasm as well as skills. We’ve enjoyed watching them grow professionally through their work on Chamber projects.”
Concordia University seniors Kenya Chavez and Vanessa Zepeda each completed semester-long college internships focused on graphic design and marketing. OPRF School of Business senior Mecca Highsmith focused on online event marketing through the Chamber website during his fall internship. OPRF students Lauryn Howard, a sophomore, and Danny Horne, a freshman, joined the Chamber in the spring through the Motivational Mentorship program under the direction of Stephen Jackson. Ms. Howard helped market multiple events through social media. Mr. Horne created a highlight video for the Chamber’s recent “Bite Nite” event.
The Chamber is committed to building relationships with our school partners. Educators interested in developing future internship partnerships with the Chamber should contact Cathy Yen in the Chamber office.
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