Kazma Scholars Welcome Leigh-Anne Kazma for Lunch!

 

Twice a year these grateful recipients have the pleasure of having lunch with Kazma President, Leigh-Anne Kazma and Montini President Kevin Beirne in 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.

"I always looked forward to lunch with Ms. Kazma," said former recipient Henry Dawson '25 (Villa Park). "She really cares about us and is always so interested in what we are doing and what we are up to. She really makes you feel special."

 

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.)