About the Warren W. "Billy" Cherry Scholarship Fund

Click on a name below to learn more about the story of a past scholarship winner:

Cherry Scholars 1993-2003:

2003	Leshaun Lodge, ETHS 2001 Dominique Nute, ETHS 2003
2002	Natasha Bentley, ETHS 1999 Taishiya Nix, ETHS 1999 Tiffany Price, ETHS 1998
2001	Sha Rita Alexander, ETHS 1999 Learn more about Sha Rita's Personal Story
2000	Jerry Succes, ETHS 1987 Learn more about Jerry's Personal Story
1999	Anika Stewart Jones, ETHS 1996
1998	Kerene Tayloe, ETHS 1998
1997	Rodney Harris, ETHS 1995
1996	David Drumke, ETHS 1987
1995	LaKeisha King, ETHS 1995
1994	Toly Walker, ETHS 1993
1993	Danny Brown, ETHS 1980

Cherry Scholarship Alternates 1993-2003:

2001	Lisa Rayburn, ETHS 1986
2000	Tiffany Price, ETHS 1998
1999	Sha Rita Alexander, ETHS 1999 Learn more about Sha Rita's Personal Story
1998	Andria Barner, ETHS 1994 P.J. Conklin, ETHS 1973 Learn more about P.J.'s Personal Story
1997	Derek Sandiford, ETHS 1997
1996	Anika Stewart Jones, 1996
1995	Jason Tripple, ETHS 1995
1994	Nathaly Ranger, ETHS 1994
1993	Jasmine Harris, ETHS 1993

Personal Stories

Personal Story:
Sha Rita Alexander
Cherry Scholar, 2001
Cherry Scholar Alternative, 1999

I was first made aware of the Cherry Scholarship Fund when I was a junior at Evanston Township High School. At that time it was too early for me to apply for the scholarship. However, I took an application so I would know what to expect senior year.

When my senior year rolled around I knew what to include on my application and just who to get recommendations from to complete the process. I did just that and waited patiently to hear from the committee.

That year, I was named as an alternate. Receiving the alternate scholarship meant that in the committee’s eyes I possessed the qualities of Warren Cherry and I was worthy of that honor, and for that I was grateful.

Two years later I reapplied for the scholarship. I knew what the application process involved but even still I was nervous. I was more confident the second time around than the first. Having a positive attitude and knowing that I exemplify Mr. Cherry’s drive to be an educator was enough confidence for me, but conveying it to the committee was the challenge. This time, in 2000, I was named the Cherry Scholarship.

I am currently finishing last quarter of school at National-Louis University, graduating with a B.A. in Elementary Education. I look forward to teaching and more so giving back to my community, Evanston. I was blessed to have grown up in such a diverse and well educated school district. It has produced wonderful people, including Warren “Billy” Cherry, whose legacy and inspiration continues through this scholarship.

- Sha Rita Alexander, February 2004

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Personal Story:
Jerry Succes
Cherry Scholar, 2000

When I found out about the Warren Cherry Scholarship, I saw myself and connected my past with Mr. Cherry. Similar to Mr. Cherry, I also did not have a clear vision of my future after graduating from high school in 1987. I attended Oakton Community College part time off and on while also working part time.

I finally realized it was taking me way too long to finish college, and in 1999 I made up my mind to enroll full time at Northeastern Illinois University as an Elementary Education major. I applied and won the scholarship in 2000. It was an honor to have been the recipient of the award. The award helped me to continue my education and pursue my long time dream.

In 2002, I graduated from Northeastern and immediately secured a teaching position teaching Direct Instruction Reading in the Evanston School District 65. I am currently in my second full year as a Direct Instruction Teacher, where I split my time between Walker and Dewey Elementary Schools.

- Jerry Succes, February 2004

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Personal Story:
P.J. Conklin
Cherry Scholar, 2000

I am presently working at Niles North High School in the Special Education department with students who have Learning Disabilities. It is more challenging than expected but much more rewarding than I ever could have imagined!

One of the things I'd like everyone to know is that the scholarship is much more far reaching than they know. My daughter, who is in her first year of college, is doing very well, making dean's list her first semester. I attribute part of that success to the example I set for her while I was in college. The work ethic and passion my daughter witnessed in me played a major role in the habits and skills she developed for herself.

I'm not sure I would have worked as hard or strived for good grades—found that work ethic and passion--had the Cherry Scholarship community not been in my life. Although my goal was to graduate and become a teacher, I also felt an obligation to these people who so readily welcomed me and invested their time and money in my eventual accomplishments. I did well because they believed in me!

It is easy to see why the Cherry Scholarship is so very important to me!

- P.J. Conklin, February 2004

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Scholar Histories:

2003	Lashaun Lodge, ETHS 2001 Truman College student
	Dominique Nute, ETHS 2003 University of Illinois U-C student
	Natasha Bentley, ETHS 1999 Oakton Community College student
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2002	Taishiya Nix, ETHS 1999 Deferred entrance to Northeastern Illinois University Program Assistant, Literature for All of Us
	Tiffany Price, ETHS 1998 Loyola University of Chicago, BA 2003 Math teacher at Chute Middle School, Evanston
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2001	Sha Rita Alexander, ETHS 1999 National-Louis University student Learn more about Sha Rita's Personal Story
	Lisa Rayburn, ETHS 1986 Northeastern Illinois University, BA December 2003 National-Louis University, MA program Interpretive Aide at Park School, Evanston
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2000	Jerry Succes, ETHS 1987 Northeastern Illinois University, BA 2002 Direct Instruction Reading Teacher at Walker and Dewey Schools, Evanston Learn more about Jerry's Personal Story
	Tiffany Price, ETHS 1998 See 2002
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1999	Anika Stewart Jones, ETHS 1996 University of Illinois U-C, BA December 2000 University of Illinois U-C, MA Teacher in Hoffman Estates, Illinois
	Sha Rita Alexander, ETHS 1999 See 2001 Learn more about Sha Rita's Personal Story
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1998	Kerene Tayloe, ETHS 1998 Fisk University student, English major
	Andria Barner, ETHS 1994 Northeastern Illinois University, BA 1999 Teacher in Chicago, Illinois
	P.J. Conklin, ETHS 1973 Northeastern Illinois University, BA December 2002 Special Education teacher at Niles North High School Learn more about P.J.'s Personal Story
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1997	Rodney Harris, ETHS 1995 University of Michigan, BA December 1999, psychology Chicago School of Professional Psychology, PhD program
	Derek Sandiford, ETHS 1997 Carthage College, BA December 2001 Tennis Pro at Northbrook Racquet Club working primarily with children
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1996	David Drumke, ETHS 1987 Attended Oakton College and Northwestern University
	Anika Stewart Jones, ETHS 1996 See 1999
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1995	LaKeisha King, ETHS 1995 University of Illinois U-C, BS 1999 Roosevelt University, MA program
	Jason Tripple, ETHS 1995 Columbia College student
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1994	Toly Walker, ETHS 1993 Northeastern Illinois University, BA 2000 English teacher at Haven School, Evanston
	Nathaly Ranger, ETHS 1994 University of Illinois U-C, BA communications
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1993	Danny Brown, ETHS 1980 National Louis University, BA 1997 Taught preschool in Evanston and Chicago 1997-2002 Volunteer at Walker School (due to medical disability)
	Jasmine Harris, ETHS 1993 DePaul University, BA 2000 National Louis University, MA 2002 Kindergarten teacher at Green Bay School, North Chicago
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