First Bank & Trust Corporate Secretary Joan Yohanan and City of Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl presented a $1,000 scholarship award to Evanston Township High School alumnus Andre Wallace at the Jan. 11 City Council Meeting. Andre wrote the winning essay in a scholarship contest hosted by the City of Evanston’s Human Relations Commission (HRC) and sponsored by First Bank & Trust.
The HRC’s essay contest is open to high school seniors, first-year college students and trade school students. Applicants must live in Evanston or attend a public or private school in Evanston, and are judged on academic achievement and writing skills. The winner receives a $1,000 scholarship.
Andre is currently a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania. He was previously a member of the executive board of Students Organized Against Racism, an alumnus of the Youth & Opportunity United Leadership Project, and a recipient of the 2015 Princeton Prize in Race Relations.
“Andre Wallace exemplifies the mission of the Human Relations Commission,” said Oscar Murillo, the City’s ICMA Local Government Management Fellow and HRC staff liaison. “His essay and recommendation letter demonstrated not only his dedication to his education and athletics, but also his passion for improving race relations among his peers. We couldn’t be more pleased to present him with this scholarship, and certainly look forward to following his future achievements.”
“First Bank & Trust believes in helping young people make a great start in life, which is why we are committed to financial literacy education for youth,” said First Bank & Trust Corporate Secretary Joan Yohanan. “We congratulate Wallace on his academic achievement, and his commitment to giving back to the community as a tutor and mentor. We are very proud to sponsor this scholarship for his continued studies.”