2016-2017 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 10,000 students who competed for 195 scholarship awards at the local, regional and national levels with a total value of $135,000.

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 five of our finalists earned awards this year: two at the regional level and three at the local level. We are highlighting these 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.

Megan Beach
Palatine, IL
Degree Major: Bachelors/English – Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Local Grosswirth-Salny Regional Scholarship Recipient

Jacqueline Glattard
Wilmette, IL
Degree Major: Bachelors/Civil and Environmental Engineering – University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Local Chicago Area Mensa Scholarship Recipient

Monica McCarthy
Chicago, IL
Degree Major: Masters/Social Work (Policy and Administration) – School TBD
Local Diana Mossip Memorial Award Recipient

Weronika Myslak
Chicago, IL
Degree Major: Bachelors, Engineering/Aerospace Engineering – School TBD
Local Kuhnel Regional Scholarship Recipient

Choumika Simonis
Forest Park, IL
Degree Major: Doctor of Medicine – Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
Local Chicago Area Mensa Scholarship Recipient

List of 2016-17 Foundation Winners

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‡ - Chicago Area Mensa is in Region 04.