University News
Peila Named Recipient of WIU Centennial Honors Scholarship
December 1, 2011
MACOMB, IL – Summer Peila, a senior at North Boone High School from Capron (IL), has been selected for a Western Illinois University Centennial Honors Scholarship, which covers tuition, fees, and a residence hall room for four years.
High school students with an ACT score of 28 or higher and a grade point average of 3.5 or higher have the opportunity to qualify for the scholarship.
Peila said she chose Western because it "puts the students first, instead of just kicking you aside as it seems other schools do.
"I did a lot of research on a variety of schools, and I chose Western only after visiting," she said. "It just seems like a good place to spend the next four years of my life, and with a wonderful biology department, it's a no-brainer."
Peila plans to become a biology major at WIU and is still debating a minor. She is also interested in the school's musical theatre and choir programming.
In high school, Peila had leading roles in theatre and musical theatre. She was also involved in her high school's French Club and choir.
As a student, Peila credits her academic success to perseverance.
"Attending college is so important to me mostly because I've seen what not going to college can do to a family," she said. "You take what job you can get at whatever pay you can get and that's that. You struggle through life. You no longer have the choice to do whatever you want, because you've limited your options by limiting your education."
After graduating from WIU, Peila hopes to work in an environmental biology research lab and possibly attend graduate school.
For more information on the Centennial Honors Scholarship, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (309) 298-3100 or email admissions@wiu.edu. Additional scholarship opportunities can be found by visiting wiu.edu/scholarship.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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