By Elisabeth Zarnoti '17

Ten high-achieving eighth-grade students were inducted as George Washington Gale Scholars on May 9.

Named after Rev. George Washington Gale, the founder of both Knox College and Galesburg, the Gale Scholars program gives local students increased educational support and resources throughout the completion of their high school and college degrees.

The Gale Scholars program started in 1996 as a collaborative effort among Knox College, Carl Sandburg College, and Galesburg Community School District #205 to assist first-generation and income-eligible students reach their educational aspirations. Scholars receive tuition-waiver scholarships toward their associate’s degree at Carl Sandburg College and their bachelor’s degree at Knox.

This year's class of scholars have an average GPA of 3.8 and were chosen from a pool of 51 applicants. The scholars will be entering Galesburg High School in the fall and will participate in numerous community service projects, educational advising, and other skill-building opportunities during their time as Gale Scholars.

During the ceremony at Carl Sandburg College, Gale scholars at different stages of the program addressed the new inductees, including Suleimi Lopez Garcia from Galesburg High School, MayCee Fox from Carl Sandburg College, and Saige Hiller '17 from Knox College (pictured above).

Ralph Grimm, District 205 superintendent and Steve Cheesman, director of the Gale Scholars Program, also spoke to the students. Grimm, Knox College President Teresa Amott, and Carl Sandburg College President Lori Sundberg presented certificates to the new inductees.

This year’s inductees are Zander Carley, Alexa Custer, Diana Dawson, Armondo Jimenez, Beni Mbanani, Steven Mensah, Gabrielle Randol, Madeline Randol, Cole Sprinkle, and Corissa Wright.