Spartan Educational Foundation
2026/2027 Meeting Schedule
Start Time 8am in Board Room 119
Friday, September 4, 2026
Friday, October 2, 2026
Friday, November 6, 2026
Friday, February 5, 2027
Friday, April 9, 2027
Friday, May 7, 2027
HistoryOver the past years, the Spartan Educational Foundation has awarded over $250,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of Oak Lawn Community High School. In addition, the Spartan Educational Foundation has awarded close to $70,000 in mini-grants to Oak Lawn Community High School staff for classroom projects that have provided innovative learning opportunities for students at Oak Lawn Community High School.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Foundation is to support continuation of education by acknowledging the achievement of Oak Lawn Community High School graduates through annual scholarships. The Foundation can provide resources for educational programs and activities that enhance the quality of education and provide students and staff with additional learning opportunities.
Purpose
The Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. It is a separate entity from Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 governed by its own Board of Trustees. Foundation board members are community and business leaders, alumni and parents who donate their time and talents. The Foundation is a forum for individuals and organizations to demonstrate their financial support to the District in order to ensure the continuation of a high quality of programs and services for the District's young men and women.
Board Members
| Board Member Name | Board Member Role |
| John Hickey | Chairman |
| Karyn Horn | Vice Chairman |
| Maria Vanderwarren | Secretary |
| Michael Sunquist | Treasurer |
| Dr. Shahe Bagdasarian | Member |
| Tom Flynn | Member |
| Jim Gaskill | Member |
| Phil McGee | Member |
| Brian McCarty | Member |
| Noreen Mitchell | Member |
| Susan Othman | Member |
| Laura Shallow | Member |
Contact UsIf you need more information, contact Maria Vanderwarren at (708) 741-5602 or by email at mvanderwarren@olchs.org
2026 Scholarship Sponsors/Winners
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Recipient |
| Oak Lawn Raiders Memorial Scholarship | John Olejniczak |
| Megan Hurckes Scholarship Foundation | Alexsandra Ewen |
| Lawn Lodge No. 815 Scholarship | Hannah Leanos |
| Charles Yara Memorial Scholarship (on behalf of Brian and Sandra McCarty-Class of '72) | Gianna Golden |
| Spartan Educational Foundation Faculty Fund | Rawan Ali |
| Spartan Educational Foundation General Fund |
Amena Akili Sara Abdelrahman Reehan Aldeek Luna Garcia Olivia Kobylarczyk Emiliano Lopez Kailee O'Connor Munya Yasin Sophia Valdez |
| DLA Architects | Jack Dempsey |
