Three Bloom Graduates Named Golden Apple Scholars

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL —Not one. Not two. Three! Bloom High School is proud to announce that three of the recent graduating seniors from the Class of 2021 have been named Golden Apple Scholars.

The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program encourages academically talented Illinois students, especially minority students, to pursue teaching careers, especially at high-need, hard-to-staff schools by providing tuition assistance at one of the participating colleges. The three brilliant students have also expressed an interest in a career in educaiton.

Meliza Castrejon is the winner of the District 206 Foundation Scholarship, the Merit School of Music’s Neal Abarbanell Colleges Scholarship, and a member of the National Honor Society (NHS). She will be attending Roosevelt University.

Jacqueline Castro is a participant in the Early College Initiative program at Prairie State College, which allows Bloom Township High School District 206 students to take college courses during high school. She will be attending St. Xavier in Chicago.

Stephanie Duran is an NHS member and also a participant in the Early College Initiative. She is also a recipient of the Barton K. Herr Memorial Scholarship, the Judy Connolly 110% Award, and the District 206 Education Foundation Class of 1965 Scholarship. She will be attending St. Xavier University for her undergraduate education.

Bloom 206 Superintendent Lenell Navarre said he is excited to see the three students pursue their dreams. "It's inspiring to see a new generation of Bloom's young leaders show an interest in education," Navarre said. "These scholars are moving toward a career that will help shape minds and build a bright future. They deserve every accolade they have and will receive."