Ben Watts Memorial Scholarship was established by friends, family and classmates of Ben Watts to honor his memory. Ben Watts, a 1980 Central HS grad, played football for the legendary Tommy Stewart and was a co-valedictorian of his class. He was the father of Olivia Watts, CHS Class of 2017, and Samuel Watts, CHS Class of 2019. Two awards will be given to a Central HS graduating senior boy and girl who are planning to attend a college or university.

The Champaign Centennial High School Alumni Scholarship honors graduating senior/s who participated in activities embodying Charger spirit and pride. Students will have demonstrated leadership and community service through their time at Centennial.

The Champaign Central High School Alumni Scholarship is awarded to senior students who participated fully in the leadership and community service opportunities that Central High School has to offer and exhibit school spirit and pride in being a Maroon.

Constellation is the nation’s largest producer of clean, carbon-free energy and a leading supplier of energy products and services to millions of homes, institutional customers, the public sector, community aggregations and businesses. Constellation has partnered with CUSF to launch the Constellation Clinton Clean Energy STEM Scholarship Program, which provides students in underserved areas of our community with scholarship assistance. Additionally, opportunities for internships, and early career readiness support to help prepare them for rewarding careers within the energy industry are available to the recipient. The scholarship will provide one Unit #4 school district high school senior with a $2,500 scholarship.

The CUSF Difference Maker Scholarship Sponsored by Busey, Horizon Hobby and Orange Krush Foundation was established to honor students who have served their school and community through either work, volunteer service and advocacy and have demonstrated school spirit with a high level of engagement in their high school. A scholarship will be awarded to one student at each of our three public high schools.

This scholarship was created by his friends and family to preserve and honor the life and legacy of Drew Adams. Drew was an exceptional student, athlete, friend, and community member who unexpectedly passed away in 2020 shortly after graduation. Drew epitomized hard work, loyalty and compassion. Whether it was sports, academics, or other activities, Drew always had a smile on his face. This scholarship is intended to reward a student who displays similar characteristics to Drew.

The Greg Chew Scholarship was established in honor of longtime Urbana High School Drama Director and teacher Greg Chew. This award recognizes a student who demonstrates passion for the fine arts through participation in UHS performances, extended service and dedication to clubs or groups in the fine arts. The student given this award will receive a scholarship to pursue a major in an art related field after graduation.

We called him Boogs in high school, our endearing nickname for Dr. Arlen Holter, one of the most distinguished graduates Champaign High School has ever produced.The Holter Fellowship Award has been established by a handful of Arlen’s lifelong friends, to honor his memory and to celebrate the enduring bond of friendship that was at the core of Arlen’s life. He was everybody’s wing man – the one you turned to when it was time to lend a hand, pitch a tent, shoot some hoops, or tee it up in the rain. Whatever the circumstances, he conducted himself with grace and charm and effortless good humor. He radiated good will. His eyes sparkled; his hearty laugh exploded. His friendship was a gift we enjoyed for decades.

In this annual award we remind ourselves of the timeless value of friendship. And with it we commemorate a beautiful life that touched ours early, and late, and even now, moves us, as we remember the Arlen we all loved. We offer this award in fellowship with each other, in the memory of our dear friend, with the hope that his legacy will touch and inspire other lives as it has our own. This award is for Central High School seniors only.

Judge Fred Green was a lifelong resident of Urbana and graduated from Urbana High School in 1941 where he was a standout basketball player. After serving in the Army in the South Pacific during World War II, Fred continued his basketball career at the University of Illinois where he was a member of the Illinois 1949 Final Four basketball team. After graduating from the U of I Law School, Judge Green served with distinction in the Illinois Judiciary for 42 years. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded each spring to a graduating UHS senior who demonstrates leadership qualities in both their academic and athletic endeavors and plans to attend college.

This scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Keegan Bannon an extraordinary Central High School student who passed away unexpectedly in 2010. Keegan’s love of academics, sports and music along with his determination to excel with dedication to a variety of friendships are central to this award. This scholarship was created to reward a graduating Central High School senior who through determination, positive attitude and hard work has exceeded expectations in academics and extra-curricular activities such as music, sports, student government, or other school activities.

The Mariel and James Sholem Scholarship was established to give back to Champaign Central High School students who have served their school and community through work, volunteer service, and exceeded expectations in academics at their high school. One student will be awarded a scholarship to attend UIUC.

This scholarship was established in honor of Central High School Class of 1995 graduate Michael Hartter. When Michael was a student at Central he enjoyed participating in a wide range of activities including baseball and football as well as show choir and madrigals, earning letters in both academics and sports. This scholarship is given to a graduating senior who has maintained a grade point average of “B” or better; participated in 2 – 3 years of extra-curricular activities; held leadership roles or served on organizing committees; demonstrates a good temperament and plans to attend a 2 or 4-year college.

The North End, for many years, has been considered the heart of the African American community in Champaign-Urbana. African American owned businesses and churches are predominantly located in the North End, and it is still the residential, cultural and business center for many African Americans living in Champaign- Urbana. This scholarship provides opportunities for minority students with connections to the North End to pursue higher education and to further their life goals and aspirations. Qualifying students must be a graduating minority student from Unit 4 or District 116, show academic promise as evidenced by their grade point average and plan to attend a public college or university. The scholarship is awarded to one graduating minority senior from each of our three public high schools who demonstrate financial need and academic promise.

The Rodney and TJ Butler Memorial Scholarship was established in loving memory of Rodney Butler Central Class of 2001 and TJ Butler Central Class of 2011. Rodney and TJ’s family and friends want to honor both men’s passion for their community by helping send an aspiring Central HS, Centennial HS or Urbana HS student to Parkland College.

The Tennant Family Scholarship was established by longtime Champaign resident and Central HS graduate Mike Tennant and his three sons Ryne, Graham, and Jace who all graduated from Central High School. The TFS will be awarded to one graduating senior at Central High School who plans to attend a 2 or 4 year college or university and study business, with the hope that one day they can give back to the CU community.