Elks National Foundation Blog

Carly Grimes 2014 Most Valuable Student Scholar Pomona College—Environmental Analysis Major Sponsored by Venice-Nokomis, Fla., Lodge No. 1854 Elks scholars have a knack for using their passion to help others. This is certainly true for Carly Grimes, who plans to combine her passion for law and the environment to promote changes in environmental policy. In high school, Carly volunteered for Teen Court as an attorney, representing teens that had run into trouble with local law enforcement. In addition to improving her public speaking skills and developing a passion for law, Carly served as a positive role model for her peers, encouraging them to make better decisions in the future. Since middle school she has also volunteered with the Wyland Foundation, engaging communities nationwide in environmental initiatives and educating them on the importance of oceanic preservation. Because of her dedication, Carly was chosen as the first Youth Ambassador for the Planet, speaking to commun...

Jasmine Ford   2014 Legacy Awards Recipient   Gonzaga University—Nursing Major Sponsored by Tillamook, Ore., Lodge No. 1437 Jasmine Ford has a passion for building community by helping others. In between varsity track meets and organizing events for National Honor Society in high school, Jasmine found time to give back in countless ways. Every week, she volunteered for her church’s Sunday school, teaching and spending time with community children. She also worked as a soccer referee and as a youth staff member at the local YMCA. In addition, she suffered through bone chilling temperatures in Hope on the Slopes, a day-long ski marathon to benefit cancer research. “I love giving back to the community through committed volunteer work,” says Jasmine. As a college student, Jasmine eagerly jumped into volunteering by living in a service-oriented residence hall. In her first week, Jasmine volunteered to help build a hiking trail to benefit the community. She will c...

Marisa Pia Kwiatkowski    2014 Most Valuable Student Scholar Stanford University Sponsored by Santa Clara, Calif., Lodge No. 2347 After years on the track and field team, Marisa Pia Kwiatkowski can go the distance. Besides her athletic pursuits, Marisa has spent many hours as a swim instructor and lifeguard, teaching children water safety and swimming techniques. She has also spent time as a tutor and babysitter, all of which has given her a love of working with children. In college, Marisa plans to study education or business management, and plans to work her way from teacher to principal, becoming a force in education policy and improving students’ experiences. “I hope to make a difference by uniting my community,” says Marisa. “I believe that a united group of people can work toward helping the less fortunate.” With her passion for helping others and her Elks scholarship, Marisa will be able to help many children through her future endeavors. “Being an E...

By 2014 Legacy Awards Recipient and Elks Scholar Advisory Board Member Anji Radakrishnan   Anji Radakrishnan, 2014 Legacy scholar and freshmen representative on the Elks Scholar Advisory Board , is giving us a glimpse into life as a college freshmen. Join her each month as she blogs about her exciting new challenges and experiences at Penn State.     During this past summer, while the rest of the soon-to-be college freshman were busy hanging out with their friends and enjoying the presence of their families, I was in a small study lounge on my floor, busily typing away Biology notes, speeches, and English essays on my laptop. I attended Penn State’s summer session, a necessary component of my six year premedical-medical program through Jefferson Medical School. This summer introduced me to brand-new experiences. The most memorable of these was the 4th of July weekend.     On the 4th of July, thousands of people arrived at Beaver Stadium...

Tanner Snider 2014 Legacy Awards Recipient  Indiana University - Bloomington—Finance Major Sponsored by Vincennes, Ind., Lodge No. 291 After working for years on the family farm, Tanner Snider knows the meaning of hard work. Coupled with his business acumen, he will take his work ethic from the barn to the board room, as he prepares to study business and finance this fall. After college, Tanner hopes to obtain a master’s degree and work in finance before climbing the corporate ladder to become a CEO.  While his sights are on the future, Tanner knows the importance of serving others and creating a positive impact in his community today. In high school, he founded and led the Down with Depression program to advocate for depression awareness. Through many hours of fundraising and planning, Tanner spoke to thousands of students in his community about the warning signs and effects of depression and the importance of suicide prevention. Through continued advocacy in colle...

  Tara Chattoraj 2014 Most Valuable Student Scholar    University of Chicago—Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry Major Sponsored by Wheaton, Ill., Lodge No. 2258 “Since my synapses first began to form, I have wanted not only to amass knowledge, but to create it,” says Tara Chattoraj. Her involvements throughout high school allowed her to learn, create, and share her knowledge with others. Tara, who is interested in a career in medical physics, advanced her knowledge as an intern at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. She built modules to help regulate the accelerator, worked in physics labs, and programmed solar panels. In addition, she has also published numerous articles in textbooks and literary magazines. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others. In her free time, she tutors children at a local shelter, assists students with test preparation, teaches the violin, and works as a karate instructor at a martial arts studio, where she is a seco...

Laura Chelgren 2014 Legacy Awards Recipient George Washington University—Political Science Major Sponsored by Punxsutawney, Pa., Lodge No. 301 Elks scholars have a myriad of interests, which they pursue with passion on their journey from high school to college and beyond. For Laura Chelgren, her journey is taking her from the local theater stage onto the world stage, as she pursues a career in politics and an interest in travel. In high school Laura was involved with her high school’s drama club and volunteered regularly with local theater companies. Besides serving as an officer for drama club, Laura created rehearsal schedules, helped with props and costumes, and helped cast members learn their lines. She also held the lead roles in several plays with community theaters. After years on the theater stage, Laura is looking forward to expanding her horizons by traveling through Greece and Italy this summer, after traveling through Australia and New Zealand the previous ye...

Bill Donnelly Development Coordinator  Bill is collecting Elks pins from every state! Help him fill in his map by sending him your state's pin. How long have you worked at the ENF? One month. What projects are you/your department working on right now? I am currently being trained, working on a variety of different projects and learning everything I can about the ENF. What’s your favorite part of working at the ENF? Coming in everyday and being able to work with my friends. Describe your average day at the ENF. I spend a good amount of time answering phones and emails, and the rest of it in trainings and meetings. I learn something new here every single day. What are you looking forward to this summer? This summer is going to be filled with BBQ’s, concerts, festivals and beach trips. What’s one thing about you that might surprise people? I love to play lacrosse. If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why? Benjamin Franklin. He was one o...

Alison Masson 2014 Most Valuable Student Scholar Washington and Lee University—Political Science Major Sponsored by Sussex, N.J., Lodge No. 2288 Being leaders in both academics and service is natural for Elks scholars. For Alison Masson, her leadership is bound together with her commitment to humanitarian initiatives and community service. Besides being active in 4-H and mock trial, Alison found time to be the president of her school’s chapter of Pass It Along, a community organization that serves those in need in northern New Jersey. As president, she organized events to bring Christmas gifts and cheer to local children. Alison’s experience with service and leadership led her to participate in Camp Rising Sun, an international program for students to learn about themselves and other cultures, and hone their skills as leaders dedicated to service. The following summer, she became a mentor, organizing programs, providing feedback, and encouraging girls as they learned leadersh...

Jerome, Ariz., Lodge No. 1361   Jeans? $13. T-shirt? $7. Gym shoes? $14. Providing clothes for youth in need? Priceless. Using an Elks National Foundation Promise Grant , Jerome, Ariz., Lodge No. 1361 took 26 local students back-to-school shopping. The Lodge partnered with teachers in the community to determine which students would most benefit from new school clothes, and then they were off to the store! Elks shopped with the students to buy what they needed—from socks to dresses. “The students ranged from 4-years-old to 14-years-old,” says Community Investments Program Project Manager Janet Leuer. “They were all very excited to have new clothes to start school.” Interested in serving local youth in need? Don’t wait to apply for a Promise Grant! These $2,000 grants are going quickly—fewer than half are still available! Click here for full Promise Grant details, including access to the online application. Elks are committed to America’s future. To build the character...