2015-2016 Scholarship Program Winners

Local-Area Winners^‡

The Mensa Education and Research Foundation (MERF) once again sponsored this year’s Mensa Scholarship Essay Contest, open to both Mensans and non-Mensans. MERF’s online application system attracted more than 11,000 students who competed for 190 scholarship awards at the local, regional, and national levels with a total value of $91,000.

To be eligible, an applicant must be attending an accredited institution of post-secondary education. Applicants submit essays of 550 words or fewer, describing their scholastic and career goals.

Each local group within American Mensa has the option of participating in the contest. This year, Chicago Area Mensa received 300 applications, which were judged by a panel of volunteers comprised of your fellow Chicago Area Mensans.

We are pleased to announce that four of our finalists earned awards this year: one at the national level and three at the local level. We are highlighting the local winners and their inspiring essays by featuring them on our website.

We congratulate all of our winners and finalists and thank all who entered essays.

Simply click/tap on the winner’s name to view the essays.

Michael Dion
Kankakee, IL
Degree Major: Bachelor Sports Broadcasting – Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
Local Chicago Area Mensa Scholarship Recipient

Katherine Koebel
Lake Zurich, IL
Degree Major: Bachelor Animal Science – School TBD
Member Kathy Spaltro National Award Recipient

Hannah Thompson
Downers Grove, IL
Degree Major: Bachelors Biomedical Engineering – School TBD
Local Diana Mossip Memorial Award Recipient

Macy Wilson
Chicago, IL
Degree Major: Doctorate/Clinical PsyD, Child and Adolescent Psychology – Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL
Local Chicago Area Mensa Scholarship Recipient

List of 2015-16 Foundation Winners

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‡ - Chicago Area Mensa is in Region 04.