Four Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students were among six recipients of $2,000 scholarships in the 2018 Get to Know Metro East annual essay contest. Area college students were tasked with completing an essay outlining what they love most about the Metro East.
Three of the SIUE awardees are juniors: College of Arts and Sciences student Clayton Aden, of East Alton, social work major Louis Jones, of Swansea, and Waterloo native Madison Phelps, an elementary education major.
Manuel Gomez, of Collinsville, is a graduate student working toward a master’s in environmental science management in 2020. Prior to arriving at SIUE, Gomez earned a bachelor’s in global studies and business administration with a concentration in global environmental issues from the University of Illinois Springfield.
“We are very excited for the 2018 scholarship recipients and want to congratulate them all,” said Carol Bartle, project manager of the Get to Know m.e. campaign. “We had nearly 70 deserving students apply this year, and we are happy to have selected six individuals to honor with the award.”
The other recipients included Alyssa Range of Southwestern Illinois College and Rachell Crayton of Lindenwood University.
Get to Know m.e. was formed to bring area organizations together to enhance the image of the Metro-East as a great place to work, visit and live and to implement sustainable programs that improve area residents’ quality of life. To learn more about the campaign, visit get2knowthemetroeast.com.
Photo (L-R): Get to Know m.e. 2018 Scholarship winners Alyssa Range, Manuel Gomez, Madison Phelps, Clayton Aden, Rachell Crayton and Louis Jones.