Kazma Scholarship Recipients Honored

Montini Catholic High School in Lombard congratulated five Kazma Scholarship award recipients from their Class of 2029.  Each year, the Kazma Family Foundation, in conjunction with the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), presents awards to eighth graders actively attending a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Joliet and who are interested in attending a local Catholic High School.

 

Scholars were honored by Bishop Ronald Hicks at a special service held at the chapel at the Bishop Blanchette Center in Joliet on Saturday, August 26th.  Also in attendance were scholarship recipients from Benet Academy, Bishop McNamara, IC Catholic Prep, Joliet Catholic Academy, St. Francis and Providence Catholic.  

 

Montini Catholic Kazma Foundation Scholarship recipients honored this year from their Class of 2029 are:

 

Fiona Felten 

 

The Kazma Family Foundation proudly supports Catholic education by providing scholarships to the seven Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Joliet.  The Class of 2029 represents the 22nd class of high school students that the foundation supports and mentors through their generosity. Close to twenty Montini Catholic students currently benefit from the Kazma Scholarship.  Twice a year these grateful recipients have the pleasure of having lunch with Kazma President, Leigh-Anne Kazma and Montini President Kevin Beirne, at Montini's De La Salle Hall. Ms. Kazma is adamant about keeping up with scholarship recipients and has a great interest in their school activities at Montini as well as their plans for the future.

 

The Kazma Family Foundation was established in 1997 by Gerald and Margaret Kazma.  At that time, their daughter, Leigh-Anne Kazma, was named president and sole employee.  The main mission of the foundation is to provide financial assistance to students and their families seeking a Catholic education.  Ms. Kazma serves on several boards including the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), Chicago's Big Shoulders Fund and numerous elementary and secondary schools.  Ms. Kazma has dedicated her entire career to personally engaging with students who receive financial aid from the foundation.  She serves as a mentor for her scholarship recipients, reviewing their progress and enjoying lunch and conversation with them at their high schools. They began providing college scholarships to students at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in the Archdiocese of Chicago and branched out to provide scholarships to students throughout the Chicagoland area, including the Diocese of Joliet.  In recent years, the Kazma Family has established scholarships at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Ava Maria University in Florida, St. Joan of Arc school in Florida, Universidad de Don Bosco in El Salvador, and has helped fund school construction in Honduras.)

 

"We are incredibly grateful to the Kazma Family Foundation for recognizing and supporting our students," said President Kevin Beirne. "Receiving the Kazma Scholarship is a meaningful affirmation of our students’ faith, dedication, and commitment to their Catholic education. We are proud to see their efforts honored in this way."