Two area students pursuing careers in service of the environment each recently received $3,750 in scholarships awarded by the Paul D. Pierotti Memorial Scholarship Fund of the DuPage Foundation. The students were recognized at The Conservation Foundation’s Spring Membership & Awards Luncheon on June 2 at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton.
The 2016 Paul D. Pierotti Memorial Scholarship Recipients are:
Margaret Schaub, 18, of Downers Grove
Schaub is a graduate of Downers Grove North High School. She plans to attend Colorado State University to study biology and ecosystem science and sustainability. Schaub has been a volunteer with The Conservation Foundation involved in local river cleanups and the storm drain stenciling program.
Blake Nelson, 23, of Naperville
Nelson is a graduate of Neuqua Valley High School. He hopes to study rangeland ecology and watershed management at the University of Wyoming, with a minor in wildlife fisheries biology and management. Nelson attended College of DuPage and has worked as a volunteer and seasonal animal keeper at Willowbrook Wildlife Center. He also has been active with the DuPage River Sweep and cleaning up the East Branch and DuPage River.
Former Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President D. “Dewey” Pierotti, Jr. and his wife Leslie established the scholarships at the DuPage Foundation in 2006 in memory of their late son Paul. Since that time, scholarships totaling more than $70,000 have been awarded to area students.
Applicants must have an interest in working in the environmental field and be associated with The Conservation Foundation. The scholarships are awarded to students from DuPage, Kane, Kendall, or Will counties, the Foundation’s service area.
