Elks National Foundation Blog

by Jenna Johnson Elks Scholar Fellow  Channeling my inner artist as I place tiles in a mosaic mural on the 2016 Chicago Trip. With the close of the Summer Elks Scholar Service Trip in June came the close of my fourth trip and first year working at the Foundation. As I look back on everything the Foundation has done for me as a scholar and staff member, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.  In the past year, I have been invested in, challenged and supported in ways I could never have anticipated. I have had the opportunity to grow in professional development, leadership and service. My definition of Elks family has widened and my passion for service has deepened.  Before accepting the position, I had never been to Chicago, had never worked in a scholarship office and my exposure to the Elks had been limited due to being the only Elks scholar at my school. But the ENF quickly changed everything for me. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of spending a week with 5

Kyle Bort has been an EEG recipient since 2014. He was appointed to serve on the 2017-18 Elks National Foundation Scholar Advisory Board. Below, Kyle shares a reflection regarding his connection to the Elks National Foundation and his time at the Elks National Convention in Reno, Nevada. If you know a student who could benefit from an Emergency Educational Grant , please email scholarship@elks.org to request a copy of the 2017-18 application. I had a great time on the Winter Service Trip.  In many ways, my experience with the Elks National Foundation has really come full circle. When my dad served in the Elks, I was never really aware of the ENF. After his passing in 2009, I was really unsure about my future. The loss of a parent is a very impactful experience. It changes you in so many ways. During this time, I started to lose the connection with my local Lodge. When I transferred to Missouri State, I began to explore grant opportunities. After all, the cost of a four-year