University Park’s Shania Davis earns free fall tuition at SIUC
University Park’s Shania Davis got a jump-start on her college education by participating in the Dr. Seymour Bryson Future Scholars Program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale this summer.
Then she got paid.
Davis won free tuition for the fall semester, courtesy of a new SIU initiative based on academics, behavior, improvement and financial need. She was one of 50 students attending the monthlong Exploratory Student Advisement program for incoming freshmen in July and the first to receive a scholarship.
“I was flattered,” she said. “Deep inside, I knew I was up for the challenge to win the tuition, but there were so many brilliant students. However, winning was a godsend. I didn’t know anyone else’s story, but God knew mine and knew I had the potential and the courage, and I’m so happy I won it!”
As a first-generation college student who plans to major in radiologic sciences with a specialization in diagnostic medical sonography, Davis fell in love with SIU while visiting with a group of students from her high school.
“The community felt like home,” she said. “I felt welcome and like there was so much to offer.”
A discussion with counselors solidified her decision that SIU was her school and the place where she would become a better version of herself. Gaining access to the Bryson Future Scholars Program this summer provided Davis with an immersive, true-life college experience before she begins classes this fall.
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“I can write a whole book of my story, but as of right now, I’m starting a new journey and a new story, and I’m grateful for everything and everyone who helped me along the way,” she said. “I know that one day, I’m going to be a big accomplishment that God created. My journey now will build and grow me into a better person in the future.”
In addition to focusing on her studies and extracurricular activities at SIU, Davis is also going to be building her side business, Styled by Nia Kalon, expressing her creativity and talents by focusing on physical and moral beauty as she advises others with hairstyling, makeup, clothing design and other beauty and modeling-related matters.
Bradley University spring dean’s list
Alsip: Jonathan Gountanis; Beecher: Katelyn Kain, Rebecca Reece, Meagan Ruger; Bridgeview: Adrian Serrano, David Uraski; Burbank: Roberto Lopez; Chicago: Zachary Gorney, Sara Jankowski, Brendan Rayl, Katherine Simon; Chicago Heights: Serena Estrada, Sarahi Ibarra, Julia Preston, Mackenzie Washington-Myers; Evergreen Park: Lori Wilson; Flossmoor: Kendall Brown; Frankfort: Kylie Bjes, Jamie Dagenais, Jack DeJulius, Sarah Farber, David Galmines, Tyler Gold, Joseph Pasyk, Luke Pomes, Paige Spriesch, Maria Sterr; Hickory Hills: Brittney Perez; Homer Glen: Brooke Boster, Colin Gamagami, Matas Mikuckas, Katelyn Shelton;
Homewood: Oliver Anderson, Sean Coen, Luke Lesimple, Josephine Wenckus; Justice: Makira Davis; Lockport: Anthony Ficek, Brendan Klepitsch, Evan Pleshar, Aiden Swain; Manhattan: Katherine O’Flynn, Rudy Wolfer; Matteson: Alexandria Rogers; Midlothian: Emma Davidson; Mokena: Olivia Jacobs; Monee: Mark Kaziunas; New Lenox: Caroline Ahern, Christine Boisvert, Mia Chidichimo, Jacob Chorak, Ryan Hearne, Samantha Hojnacki, Hannah Hospodar, Logan Huber, Jadyn Lamb, Makayla Lamb, Annabel Lomeli, Danielle Pasek, Gabriela Reyes, Kathrynne Skonicki, Victoria Urbanczyk, Jack Weaver;
Oak Forest: Emily Janosz, Kylie Kruis, Emily Malloy; Oak Lawn: Rayne Ann Cave, Gianna Marie Ibrado, Joseph Musto; Orland Hills: Emmily Scumaci; Orland Park: Matthew Arndt, Cole Dumroese, William Linko, Razeliliean Mendoza, Emily Mikitka, Nathan Milianti, Tyler Mishka, Ismail Tineh, Ethan Winkler; Palos Park: Uriel De La Torre, Michael Tylka; Steger: Caleb Feilen; Tinley Park: Jack Block, Joshua Bonovich, Nicholas Fabish, Zoe Huntoon, Sydney Kuczero, Caitlin McLaughlin, Sebastian Salas, Alexander Sebastian, Makenzie Wall, Alyssa Watkins, Mesfin Zabrocki
Bradley University spring graduates list
Alsip: Jonathan Gountanis; Beecher: Rebecca Reece; Bridgeview: David Uraski; Chicago Heights: Andrea Aguirre, Serena Estrada; Evergreen Park: Claire Sheehan; Frankfort: Jack DeJulius, Sarah Farber, Morgan Grajewski, Daniel Kijowski, Stefan Klipic; Homer Glen: Colin Gamagami, Andrew Pellettiere; Homewood: Morgan Murphy, Paityn Trantham;
Lockport: Megan Klein, Evan Pleshar, Anthony Pollos, Ashley Pyle, Blake Sartin, Alexander Watzke; Midlothian: Emma Davidson; Mokena: Tyler McMahon, Jack Patterson: New Lenox: Caroline Ahern, Mia Chidichimo, Colleen Gip, Samantha Hojnacki, Danielle Pasek, Megan Rudzinski, Victoria Urbanczyk; Oak Forest: Victor Vigo; Oak Lawn: Joseph Musto; Orland Park: Matthew Arndt, William Linko, Emily Mikitka, Nathan Milianti; Palos Park: Tyler Franco; Tinley Park: Jack Block, Joshua Bonovich, Mark Milewski, Dominica Rak, Sebastian Salas
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