Scholarships

The Committee to Support Central currently acts as a steward for the following scholarship funds. These scholarships are each awarded annually to deserving C.C.H.S. students in order to assist them in their post secondary pursuits and objectives.


The John Westendorf Memorial Scholarship

Mr. John Westendorf taught Math and Physics at Aviston High School from 1958 until the consolidation of schools and Central Community High School came into existence. In 1971, he began serving as the Librarian at C.C.H.S. until his tragic death in 1984. A fund was established by his family and since 1984 a graduate of Central has received a scholarship award in his honor to reward academic achievement and service to the school.


The Blake Thole Memorial Football Scholarship

This scholarship was founded in 2009 and created by friends and family of Blake Thole for the purpose of celebrating his life and rewarding the hard work of a college bound Central Cougar Football player. A deserving recipient who has excelled academically and athletically will receive an annual award that best carries on the legacy of Blake's memory.


The "Silver Cougars" Education Scholarship

The members of the group known as the "Silver Cougars" include former faculty, staff, and board of education members who have retired from Central Community High School. Each year, the individuals who belong to this group join together by making contributions to a fund that awards a scholarship to a C.C.H.S. graduate who plans to obtain a degree in education and pursue a teaching career. The "Silver Cougars" hope that this contribution makes an investment for the educational profession by encouraging deserving graduates to go to college and become teachers.


The Kathy McCoy Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family of Mrs. Kathy McCoy in 2010 following her death. Mrs. McCoy was a Mathematics Instructor at C.C.H.S. for 23 years. She taught various levels of Mathematics and also taught several courses for Kaskaskia College. Her family established a scholarship to honor her memory and her love of teaching Mathematics by awarding a scholarship to a deserving C.C.H.S. student who excelled in this subject area.

The Purple-Illini Scholarship
This scholarship was founded in 2009 among alumni of Central Community High School who have attended the University of Illinois. Potential graduates and alumni of C.C.H.S. who are attending U of I are eligible for this monetary assistance. The goal is to provide assistance to students residing in the community who are attending this prestigious institution.

The Cougar Pride Scholarship
The Committee to Support Central established this scholarship in 2012 to award students for demonstrating qualities which exemplify the mission of the C.S.C. Those who promote the students and programs at Central Community High School, assist in facilitating the involvement of the community in education, and help to enhance the opportunity of others in their work as a student in high school are eligible. Recognition through the award is made with funds from the contributions to the Cougar Pride program.

The C.C.H.S. Alumni Scholarship
The Committee to Support Central created this scholarship in 2014 to recognize a student for strongly representing Central in the school community. The recipient should have an intense commitment to activities and enthusiastic service to others. A student will receive consideration for the award if a sense of dedication to Central is exhibited that will carry forward into the future in a potential for greater contributions as an alumnus. The person should consider receipt of the award as an investment toward a return to Central as an adult.

The Allen Warnecke Memorial Scholarship
The family and friends of Mr. Allen Warnecke created this scholarship in memory of a career and life dedicated to Central Community High School. Mr. Warnecke was an alumnus of Central, graduating in the first year of its existence in 1971. He was also the first valedictorian in school history. After graduating from college, he returned to Central as a mathematics teacher and member of the coaching staff. In 1990, Mr. Warnecke was named Athletic Director, remaining a fixture in the role at the school until his death in April 2014.

During his thirty-nine year professional career at Central, Mr. Allen Warnecke demonstrated an intense passion for all things purple-and-white. He was a champion of academic achievement, athletic programs, and student athlete success during his entire life. As the "Ultimate Cougar," his service to Central remains a great legacy for the entire school and community. The Allen Warnecke Memorial Scholarship will serve as a constant reminder of the impact he had upon the school and its students.

The Luke Korte Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2017 almost one year after the death of a Central student. Luke Korte was a 16-year-old whose life was cut short when he succumbed to injuries received in an auto accident. He had an infectious smile and a happy personality. Luke was a fun, caring young man, and his compassion for others was astonishing. Luke was small in stature, but he had great impact on the lives he touched after his death through organ donation. At school, Luke was a member of the cross country team, Future Farmers of America, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In the community, he was involved with the Youth Ministry. In life, Luke never gave up, and always strived to be the best person possible.

The Luke Korte Memorial Scholarship provides two college scholarship awards to deserving Central graduating students who are pursuing further education. The scholarship is not only based upon financial need and academic excellence but also a demonstration of consistent and strong character in academic pursuits, activities, and community endeavors.

Speedy Benhoff Memorial Scholarship

The "Speedy" Benhoff Memorial Scholarship was founded in 2019. The family and friends of Speedy Benhoff created this scholarship to celebrate his life. Speedy, a 1986 Central Community High School graduate, was most known for his fun-loving personality, contagious laugh, and selfless contributions to his community. He spent many years giving his all to various community organizations and benefits for local families and causes, focusing especially on the children of Clinton County. A deserving recipient will be selected annually based upon criteria established in remembrance of a life well spent in these areas.

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