District News

Mt. Prospect Parks Foundation 2026 Scholarship Award Winners

The Mt. Prospect Parks Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Mt. Prospect Park District, awarded six $1,500 scholarships as part of the July 16 Park Board of Commissioners meeting. Held at the Central Community Center in Mount Prospect, the meeting included the scholarship presentation from Foundation Executive Director Ruth Yueill. Yueill read excerpts from the required essays and letters of recommendation for each of this year’s recipients. The 2026 recipients are: Maria Contreras, Diana Klinkova, Adan Rueda, Isabelle Kadlubowski, Jacob Pepsnik, and Olivia Puscizna.

Since the program’s inception in 2005, the Foundation has awarded over $87,000 in scholarship monies. Awarded to employees or children of employees under 25 years of age attending college or trade/technical school in the fall; applicants submit their grade-point average, a personal letter of recommendation, and an original essay response to a specific question. In 2026, applicants were asked to write about the impact of a role model in their life or to write a letter of self-recommendation for why they should receive the scholarship award. 

A panel of independent judges score the applications and determine the winners. This year, 6 scholarships were awarded through the generosity of the Robert Cardella Family, the Parks Foundation Board, and Lakeside Bank of Mount Prospect. Both the Robert Cardella family and Lakeside Bank have each donated funds for 5 years of scholarship awards.  

Established in 1997, the Mount Prospect Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Its purpose is to enhance the quality of parks, facilities, and recreation opportunities by raising funds through tax-deductible donations. The Foundation has purchased AEDs for all District facilities, renovated the banquet room and kitchen at the Friendship Park Conservatory in Des Plaines, replaced lost trees in District Parks, orchestrated the Annual Scholarship Program, and hosted Cabaret Nights and special events to enhance all fundraising efforts. For more information on the Parks Foundation, Click Here. 

Left to Right 2026 Scholarship Winners: Diana Klinkova (brother accepting on her behalf), Olivia Puscizna, Adan Rueda, Isabelle Kadlubowski, Maria Contreras and Jacob Pepsnik