Presented with $500 scholarships from Mendota Business and Professional Women are, left to right, Gillian Sutton, Lillian Rodrigues, Lauryn Kelly and Esmeralda Arteaga. (Photo contributed)

MENDOTA - Four Mendota High School seniors have each received a $500 scholarship from Mendota Business and Professional Women. The scholarships were presented on May 16 during a BPW awards dinner held at The Other Side restaurant in Mendota.

After diligently evaluating 23 applications, BPW members chose Esmeralda Arteaga, Lauryn Kelly, Lillian Rodrigues and Gillian Sutton. The selection process centered on the goals of BPW: character, work ethic, community involvement, volunteerism and goal setting.

Esmeralda Arteaga, daughter of Felicitas Casas and Gabriel Arteaga, plans to attend Illinois Valley Community College for her associate’s degree, and then transfer to Western Illinois University to study criminal justice with a forensic psychology minor.

“I want to work in law enforcement, hopefully as a homicide detective, to be able to give back and work for the community to keep streets safe,” she explained. “My mother has impacted my decisions the most. She has taught me to be selfless and help others whenever I am able to. I want to make a difference in the lives of others and in our society.”

Lauryn Kelly, daughter of Tracie and Robb Kelly, plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to major in biology. After she earns her bachelor’s degree, she plans to attend medical school to become an interventional radiologist.

“My parents have been very influential throughout the process of choosing a college. They have always given me a lot of encouragement and taught me that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. This way of living has inspired me to aim high and have the goal of becoming an interventional radiologist,” Lauryn stated.

Also starting at IVCC is Lillian Rodrigues, daughter of Rosa Watson and Dennis Watson. She then plans to transfer to Southern Illinois University to major in biology in order to enter medical school to become a physician’s assistant.

“I plan to work in rural medicine for most of my career. Afterwards, I hope to provide aid to poverty-stricken countries as well,” she said.

Lillian noted that she was inspired by her parents to pursue higher education, especially since she is a first generation American. “I have witnessed what it’s like having to start all over, but my mother has always had me focus on school. From my upbringing, I have been inspired to not only change my life, but to change the lives of those around me,” she added.

Also pursuing the science field is Gillian Sutton, daughter of Laura and Barry Sutton. She will attend St. Ambose University this fall to major in exercise science in preparation for a career as a physical therapist.

“My parents have always pushed me to do my best in school. When I would get tired of it, they always told me to keep going because I need school to help me get a job. Not until my freshman year in high school did I know really what physical therapy was. Because I was sent to have physical therapy myself, I became interested in what the body can do and how it heals. Ever since that experience, I have known that I want to help others through this field,” Gillian explained.

Also part of the meeting was Hume-Carnegie Museum docent Carol Elmore, who presented the stories of several women from Mendota who impacted the lives of many people locally, nationally and internationally. These women lived in the area during the early years of this community but influenced the modern achievements of women far beyond our counties.

The BPW members also conducted a business meeting that included voting to award a $500 scholarship this fall to a local woman returning to school. Applications will be available by contacting a member or e-mailing athertonrj@comcast.net.

Summer BPW fundraisers will include a bake sale during Railroad Days at the Depot on Saturday, June 17 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and a Sullivan’s cookout on Saturday, June 24. All proceeds will go to fund scholarships for the upcoming year.