Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness (CCH) is proud to announce its newest class of college scholarship recipients. In June, we welcomed six recent high school graduates into the program during a celebratory luncheon attended by friends, family, and CCH staff. The event honored the students’ achievements and celebrated their upcoming transition to college.
CCH’s scholarship program supports students with $4,000 scholarships, renewable for up to five years as they work toward a college degree. CCH also provides first-year winners with new laptops to set them up for success in their studies.
The new winners graduated this spring from Chicago area high schools and will attend colleges and universities in Illinois, Michigan, Louisiana, Arizona, and Washington, D.C.
In addition to our six new awardees, sixteen returning students will receive scholarship support during the 2025-26 school year: five sophomores, seven juniors, and four seniors. We’re also proud to support six program alumni who are now enrolled in graduate school with $500 stipends for books or other academic materials. These scholars are pursuing advanced degrees in clinical psychology, educational leadership, environmental engineering, and medicine.
Meet our 2025-26 Scholarship Winners:
Denise Covington
A King College Prep graduate, Denise Covington was a cheerleader and played clarinet in the school marching band throughout high school. Dedicated to her academic goals, she also participated in the college readiness program TRIO, as well as the Illinois Music and National Honor Societies. The sixth of eleven children, Denise is proud to be the first in her family to graduate high school on time and pursue a university education.
She plans to attend Howard University in the fall and aspires to become a civil rights attorney “dedicated to advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.” To prepare for her future career, Denise took dual credit Criminal Justice courses and interned at a legal data management software company.
“From a young age, I have been passionate about justice and the power of the law to create positive change,” she wrote in her application. “By becoming a lawyer, I aim to make a lasting impact on society and give a voice to those who need it most.”
Evelyn Marquez
Evelyn Marquez graduated from Fenton High School in Bensenville, where she was a member of the gymnastics and cross-country teams.
A first-generation college student, Evelyn shared that the goal of obtaining a college degree “holds even more weight given the challenges I’ve faced throughout my life. Despite these obstacles, I’ve remained focused, resilient, and determined to create a better future—not just for myself, but as a role model for my siblings, friends, and loved ones.”
She plans to attend Elmhurst University in the fall to study nursing. While in high school, Evelyn pursued college-level courses at the Technology Center of DuPage, earning certifications in CNA, CPR, and CSPDT.
“I aspire to become the kind of nurse people feel safe and comfortable with—someone who provides not only medical care, but also compassion, understanding, and support in whatever circumstance they may be facing,” she wrote.
Jayla McGraw
Jayla McGraw, a graduate of Kenwood Academy, developed her interest in computer science through her participation in Girls Who Code during her junior and senior years. She was also a member of her school’s water polo team.
Jayla will attend Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) in the fall to study computer science, with the goal of pursuing a career in data analytics.
As a Black woman entering a STEM field, she hopes to inspire other Black students to follow a similar path. “Women occupy 28% of STEM careers globally and Black women represent less than 9% of that,” she wrote in her application. “By going into Data analytics, I can inspire the next generation of Black computer scientists.”
Janai Shack
Janai Shack graduated from King College Prep, where she was a Model UN delegate and held leadership roles in both the National Honor Society and Student Council. She also participated in several After School Matters programs throughout high school, with a focus on arts, creativity, and digital media.
An internship at the Field Museum—where she researched pollution in the Chicagoland area—sparked her interest in environmental science. As she heads to the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC) this fall, Janai is deciding between majoring in Environmental Science and Social Work.
“Although I haven’t decided on my major, I did decide I want to benefit my community,” she wrote in her application. “I value helping others and working with them to find solutions.”
Tashari Wooten
Tashari Wooten graduated from Thornwood High School in South Holland, where she competed on the tennis team and was one of only two girls on the boys’ wrestling team.
She plans to study and travel abroad as part of her educational journey. “I want to immerse myself in different cultures and academic environments to improve my knowledge and understanding of the world,” she wrote in her application.
This fall, Tashari will attend the University of Arizona, majoring in Aerospace Engineering with minors in Spanish and International Business. With an interest in problem-solving, innovation, and global exploration, she hopes to contribute to the future of aviation and aerospace technology, ideally working for NASA or SpaceX.
“I have been determined to excel in high school so I could pursue college and a career that would give me independence and stability,” she shared.
The sixth scholar has chosen to remain anonymous.
We are also excited to share that five CCH scholarship students graduated this year with college or professional degrees:
Kidus Guta with Scholarship Coordinator Sue Um at our June celebratory luncheon
To date, 42 scholarship recipients have graduated with bachelor’s degrees—52% of students eligible to do so—surpassing national averages for students from low-income families. Five additional students (6%) have earned associate or nursing degrees.
Nine former scholarship winners served on this year’s Scholarship Selection Committee:
- Dontay Lockett (2016), an artist and Columbia College Chicago graduate
- Kristen Lang (2014), a Chicago Public Schools librarian and Benedict College graduate, currently pursuing a PhD in education at National Louis University
- Mahalia Crawford (2014), a Tougaloo College graduate who recently earned a PhD in sociology from Louisiana State University, with a focus on race and crime
- Nia Hill (2016), a Howard University accounting graduate with a master’s in nonprofit management from Columbia University
- Pierrerasha Goodwin (2018), a Tougaloo College graduate with a law degree from University of Alabama
- Prince Washington (2017), a University of Illinois – Springfield graduate who studied political science
- Gesenia Viviescas (2013), a DePauw University graduate with a master’s in social work
- Madison McLaughlin (2020), an Eastern Illinois University secondary education graduate, with a concentration in English
- Alexis Medley (2020), an Agnes Scott College graduate in business management, who taught English in Houston, TX with Teach for America after graduation
The committee used a rubric to evaluate the strength each applicant’s essays, transcripts, and recommendation letters. Twenty-nine high school seniors applied by the April 11 deadline. Finalists were interviewed over Zoom in June.
Selection Committee members Prince Washington, Dontay Lockett, and Kristen Lang with Scholarship Coordinator Sue Um
Thank you to our scholarship donors:
The CCH scholarship program is made possible thanks to generous community support. This year’s awards were funded by the Susan W. Pearson Memorial Fund, the Nathan & Esther K. Wagner Family Foundation and several individual donors. Awards are also supported through an annual distribution from CCH’s scholarship reserve account, established with contributions from the family of Jill L. Meinzer and an anonymous foundation.
