The Effingham Noon Rotary Club awarded its 2026 student scholarships.
This was the 38th year of the club’s scholarship program, which began in 1989 under the direction of Club President Harry Brasel. Starting as a single annual scholarship, the club has for over 25 years chosen to award two $1,000 scholarships annually to one college-bound graduating senior from each of the city’s two high schools.
With this year’s award, the club has presented $65,000 in scholarships since the program’s inception.
Scholarship recipients are selected based on scholastic ability, extracurricular activities, community activities, honors and awards, and an essay on a designed topic.
This year, in honor of America’s 250th birthday, applicants were asked, “If the Declaration of Independence was written today, what would it say?”
The winner of this year’s Rotary Scholarship award from Effingham High School is Abby Feldhake. Abby plans to attend Illinois State University, studying biology on a pre-dental track. She is the daughter of Jill and Dan Feldhake.
The winner of this year’s award from St. Anthony High School is Ike Daiber. Ike plans to attend the University of Illinois and study national resources and environmental sciences. He is the son of Tim Daiber and Gena Daiber.