“She is exactly the type of student we had in mind when we first started the Burroughs Educational Scholarship,” said WJEH Managing Partner Jay Johnson, who recently presented the award at Ella’s high school.

For ten years, the scholarship has been open to college-bound seniors who have at least one parent employed by an Illinois public school. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their career goals, academic success, and good character. The scholarship is named after Dr. Stacy Burroughs who devoted his career to supporting the men and women of the Illinois Education Association. Dr. Burroughs personally selects each scholarship winner.

Ella, a senior at Bismarck-Henning Rossville-Alvin Cooperative High School, plans to pursue a dual major in early childhood education and special education at Ball State University.  She is the daughter of Amber Tutwiler, a teacher in Danville District 118.

“I have volunteered at the school (my mom) teaches at since I can remember,” Ella stated in her scholarship application. “I have a passion for helping the students at her school and I cannot wait to have a classroom of my own.”

Ella has a 4.2 grade point average and has participated in a variety of extracurricular activities at her school. She is a varsity cheerleader and the student council treasurer. She is also a part of Key Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and National Honor Society.

English teacher Hilary Mathis provided a letter of recommendation for Ella, stating that the senior loves to learn and has earned outstanding marks in difficult courses, many of which are “dual enrollment” for college credit.

“For most of us,” Mathis wrote, “her schedule would be unfathomable, but for Ella, it’s simply what she loves to do.”