There is a scholarship at Hickory Creek Middle School that is not awarded for scoring baskets, running for touchdowns, winning the science fair or graduating with a perfect GPA. This one is much harder get. It’s about character and more demanding than that, a character reflective of Lyndsey Whittingham’s.
The Lyndsey Whittingham “Spirit” Scholarship was awarded for the first time this year by the Lyndsey Whittingham Foundation, which was established to honor the memory of Lyndsey Whittingham, a local Frankfort woman whose life was cut short when she died at the of age 23 as a result of being hit by a taxicab in Chicago in 2006.
The award will be granted to one Hickory Creek eighth grader each year, based on nominations from students and staff.
“We contacted (Lyndsey’s father) Dr. Raymond Whittingham and (her mother) Betsy Whittingham, and asked them what Lyndsey represented as person to develop the criteria for the award,” Hickory Creek Middle School Principal Kevin Suchinski said.
“I did not have the pleasure of knowing (Whittingham), but many teachers here did,” he said. “We believe this year’s recipient fit the criteria 100 percent.”
The winner of the first Lyndsey Whittingham Scholarship was honored at the Hickory Creek graduation ceremony in May, which was held at Lincoln-Way East.
“I wasn’t familiar with the award before (the graduation ceremony),” Reed Allen, this years scholarship recipient said. “I was honored (to receive it).”
Natalie Templin, a friend and classmate of Allen, was babysat by Whittingham and said she felt her friend was very deserving of award that carried Whittingham’s character.
“She was really nice and always wanted to help — she was a very loyal person,” Templin said of Whittingham.
“She’s honest, talks to everyone and loves everyone,” she said of Allen. “She’s an amazing friend.”
Allen said she is going to save up the $200 savings bond to help her down the road. She wants to be fashion designer when she’s older and possibly live in New York City.
Whittingham’s family and friends have kept the former Hickory Creek student’s spirit alive through the foundation and also with the passing of House Bill 3412, known as Lyndsey’s Law, which requires taxi drivers who hit pedestrians undergo drug and alcohol testing and also visibly post identification in their cab.
The second annual “Lynzapalooza” fundraiser will be held on Friday, Aug. 15 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. at CD & ME, 23320 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort. The event is sponsored by the Lyndsey Whittingham Foundation. Funds raised at the event will be used to provide donations to charities and to continue to fund existing scholarships in her name.
Last year’s event was a huge success and was attended by over 500 people. Funds raised from the event were used to provide donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Children’s Memorial Hospital in Whittingham’s name. It also funded scholarships for the schools from which she graduated. With Frankfortstation.com
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