City of Whiting 2023 Scholarship

About the Scholarship

The City of Whiting Scholarship was instituted in 2009 as the result of a partnership among elected Whiting officials, the BP Foundation, the Whiting Community Improvement Fund and the Whiting-Robertsdale Community Improvement Corporation.  The Scholarship is funded through private donations and donations from the City of Whiting.  Lake Park Development donated to the fund as the new Center Street housing development progressed.  In 2021 the Ronald F. Plewniak Family endowed a restricted scholarship for an Engineering Student.  Eligibility for this scholarship has been expanded for 2023. The Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors who are the legal dependents of residents who own and occupy a home in Whiting.

Original awards were for $2,000 per school year. Beginning with the scholarships granted in 2011, the City of Whiting Scholarship was increased to a $10,000 award, with $2,500 being disbursed to the recipient each August for four consecutive years. For scholarships granted in 2014, the City of Whiting Scholarship was increased to a $12,000 award with $3,000 being disbursed to the recipient each August for four consecutive years. For the 2015 scholarship award, the amount was increased to a $16,000 award, with $4,000 being disbursed to the recipient each August for four consecutive years. For 2016 award, the amount was increased a $20,000 award, with $5,000 being disbursed to the recipient each August for four consecutive years. For 2018 and 2019, the award has been increased to a $25,000 award, with $6,250 being awarded each August for four consecutive years. A 1099 tax form may be issued by the college or university if the combined total of all financial assistance received by the student exceeds the IRS threshold. This year up to four (4) scholarships may be awarded and the value of the scholarship for the Class of 2023 will be $6,250 per academic year for a total award of $25,000 over four years.

For the 2023 graduates, there is also The Ronald F. Plewniak Scholarship that has been endowed for an eligible applicant who is pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering or Technology (from ACT-Defined STEM majors in these categories). This scholarship was originally limited to an engineering degree, but the degree eligibility has been expanded by the family. Winners of the Ronald F. Plewniak Scholarship must also maintain a STEM-related major for the entire four years of the award. The amount of the award is the same as listed above.

Ron graduated from Whiting High School in 1965 and then obtained an Electrical Engineering degree from Purdue University, West Lafayette. He worked his entire career at Inland Steel and was highly respected as the go-to guy to solve complex problems. The goal of Ron and his family with this scholarship is to help a Whiting resident get a good start on a rewarding career.

Also available is the City of Whiting Technical Education Scholarship for those who wish to pursue courses of study at technical or vocational schools. This year one scholarship may be awarded with a value of $3,000 per year for a two year award totaling $6,000. In order to qualify for this scholarship, the student should have either pursued a technical education curriculum while in high school with a minimum GPA in technical courses of 2.5 or have a minimum GPA of 2.8, be the dependent of a Whiting homeowner who occupies that home and attend a regionally accredited technical education institution.

Scholarship Conditions

To maintain eligibility, students must demonstrate that they are classified by the institution they attend as full-time and must maintain a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA. Students are required to submit their grades to the City of Whiting Clerk-Treasurer’s Office at the end of each academic year and are to openly communicate any changes in their scholastic involvement. If a student fails to meet any of the outlined conditions, the Scholarship may be terminated at the discretion of the Committee. The Committee may also consider exemptions to these conditions if extraordinary circumstances warrant it.

Qualifications

To be considered for the City of Whiting Scholarship, applicants must:

• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Sign a publicity release form
• Be the dependent of a Whiting homeowner who occupies that home
• Attend a regionally accredited institution of higher learning

Selection Criteria

Each Spring, the Mayor of the City of Whiting will convene an ad hoc committee consisting of the Mayor or his/her designee, a member of the Board of Directors of the Community Improvement Corporation, a representative of BP and two members of the academic community.  No member of this committee may have a family member applying for the scholarship at the time.  This committee, who may request to interview applicants, will determine scholarship winners based on the following criteria:

• 1/3 Scholastic Achievement (GPA, SAT/ACT score, class rank, awards, etc.)
• 1/3 Involvement & Leadership activities within the school
• 1/3 Involvement & Leadership within the community

Donations

If you are interested in making a donation to the Scholarship Program, please send your contribution to the City of Whiting, PO Box 591, Whiting, Indiana 46394 or drop it off at Whiting City Hall, 1443 – 119^th Street, Whiting, Indiana 46394. Checks may be made payable to the City of Whiting Scholarship Fund or the W/RCIC (Whiting/Robertsdale Community Improvement Corporation).

For further information contact City Hall at (219)659-7700 or visit the City website at www.whitingindiana.com .

Application Form

Download the Scholarship application form (Adobe document) here.

Download the Technical Education application form (Adobe document) here.

Applicable Dates

Completed applications must be submitted to the City of Whiting Clerk-Treasurer’s Office by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2023.  Awards will be announced annually at the students’ graduation ceremony.

2018 Recipients

• Amanda Bonchik, Whiting High School – $6,250/$25,000
• Rana Hamad, Whiting High School – $6,250/$25,000
• Timothy Lowe, Whiting High School – $6,250/$25,000
• Julianna Scivinsky, Whiting High School – $6,250/$25,000
• Sara Mantich, St. Ignatius College Prep – $6,250/$25,000

2017 Recipients

• Margaret Mills-Groninger, Whiting High School – $5,000/$20,000
• Emily Canning, Whiting High School – $5,000/$20,000
• David Gormley, Whiting High School – $5,000/$20,000
• Guadalupe Ruiz, Whiting High School – $5,000/$20,000
• Mary Lowry, Bishop Noll Institute – $5,000/$20,000

2016 Recipients

• Alexandra Danielides, Whiting High School – $5,000/$20,000
• Diana Lopez, Whiting High School – $5,000/$20,000
• Nina Mantich, St. Ignatius Prep – $5,000/$15,000

2015 Recipients

• Alivia Jakubowski, Whiting High School – $4,000/16,000
• Nolan Michniewicz, Whiting High School – $4,000/16,000

2014 Recipients

• Erin Mahony, Whiting High School – $3,000/12,000
• Danielle Mantich, St. Ignatius College Prep – $3,000/12,000
• Elena Sobilo, Bishop Noll Institute – $3,000/12,000

2013 Recipients

(L-R) Council President Chris Sarvanidis, Brianna Scivinsky, Elliot Bibat, Desiree Kristek, and Mayor Joe Stahura

• Elliot Bibat, Whiting High School – $2,500/10,000
• Desiree Kristen, Whiting High School – $2,500/10,000
• Brianna Scivinsky, Whiting High School – $2,500/10,000

2012 Recipients

(L-R) Jonathan Dietz, James Staley, Council President Chris Sarvanidis, and Caleb Strabavy

• Jonathan Dietz, Whiting High School – $2,500/10,000
• James Staley, Whiting High School – $2,500/10,000
• Caleb Strabavy, Whiting High School – $2,500/10,000

2011 Recipients

(L-R) Mayor Joe Stahura, Megan Kazmierski, Elizabeth Murzyn, Julianne Stribiak, and Council President Chris Sarvanidis

• Megan Kazmierski, Whiting High School – $2,500/10,000
• Elizabeth Murzyn, Whiting High School – $2,500/10,000
• Julianne Stribiak, Whiting High School – $2,500/10,000

2010 Recipients

(L-R) Katherine Staley, Mayor Joe Stahura, and Aldo Lopez

• Katherine Staley, Whiting High School – $2,000/$8000
• Aldo Lopez, Whiting High School – $2,000/$8000

2009 Recipients

(L-R) Haleigh Suarez, Mayor Joe Stahura, and Ryan Willoughby

• Haleigh Suarez, Whiting High School – $2,000/$8,000
• Ryan Willoughby, Whiting High School – $2,000/$8,000