The judging process has been completed for the 2018-19 Illinois Physical/Occupational Therapy Scholarship and the Physical/Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. The Mt. Carmel Elks Lodge #715 is proud to announce that the Illinois Children’s Care Corporation has awarded a Physical/Occupational Therapy Scholarship in the amount of $500 to Jayla Schwarzlose of West Salem, IL, who is a recent 2018 graduate of Edwards County High School.
Jayla is currently attending summer classes at Wabash Valley College where she will continue next Fall as a full-time student. Following graduation from WVC, Jayla plans to attend the University of Evansville to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy. She is the daughter of Pamela and David Schwarzlose of West Salem, and is one of five children. In commenting on her reason for choosing Physical Therapy as her career, Jayla said that she has always been interested in Physical Therapy and has had several family members who have needed Physical Therapy.
Over 85 years ago the Elks of Illinois recognized the special needs of physically challenged children. In addition to direct assistance for children, the Illinois Elks became aware of the growing need for physical therapists to help children with disabilities. Since 1970 the program has provided financial aid to college students in the physical therapy field. In 1992 this scholarship program was expanded to include the field of occupational therapy. The intervening years have seen the program grow from two applicants in 1970 to over 250 applicants in recent years. Recent years have seen over 140 students receiving assistance each year.
This is a HIGHLY COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM for students currently enrolled in/or planning on entering the Physical or Occupational Therapy fields. No affiliation with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is required. The evaluation basis includes: Academic Qualifications, Financial Need, and Personality and Desire. Awards for applicants include: Freshmen and Sophomores-$500; Juniors up to 2-Year Graduates-$800 - $3,000. Students are eligible for up to six years of awards.
Photo Caption: Jayla Schwarzlose is congratulated by Louise Acree, Scholarship Chairman for the Mt. Carmel Elks Lodge #715, for being selected as a recipient of a 2018-19 Illinois Physical/Occupational Therapy Scholarship in the amount of $500 from the Illinois Children’s Care Corporation. Jayla will be enrolled as a full-time student at WVC in the Fall Semester. After graduating from WVC, she will transfer to the University of Evansville to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy.