Duane Bonifer  |   Published February 16, 2023

Meet the Class of 2027 Goldsborough Scholars

Melissa Bivolarov of Rolling Meadows High School, Kaniya Johnson of Perspectives Leadership Academy named William J. and Beverly Goldsborough Scholars.

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MONMOUTH, Ill. – Kaniya Johnson of Chicago was in her school’s library when she learned the news that she had received one of Monmouth College’s most prestigious scholarships.

KANIYA JOHNSON: ?It means a lot to me to attend a school like Monmouth because I know I will have... KANIYA JOHNSON: “It means a lot to me to attend a school like Monmouth because I know I will have a lot of support there and it will help me go after what I want to do in life.”Johnson was browsing books about spirituality when she got a call from Monmouth Assistant Director of Admission Brock McNinch.

“I had just got done working on my internship, which I had done virtually on my laptop, when he called me and said ‘I am excited to tell you that you received the scholarship,’” said Johnson, a senior at Perspectives Leadership Academy in Chicago. “I was just shocked that I had received it. I felt really proud of myself.”

Johnson is one of two students to be named a Monmouth William J. and Beverly Goldsborough Scholar, receiving the College’s most prestigious scholarship. Melissa Bivolarov, of Rolling Meadows High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, is the other Goldsborough Scholar in the Monmouth Class of 2027.

The Goldsborough Scholars program is a full-tuition, four-year scholarship worth more than $160,000 that recognizes outstanding students from the Chicagoland area who have consistently demonstrated academic excellence throughout their high school careers and who embody the mission and values of Monmouth, as evidenced by leadership, service, civic engagement and cocurricular commitments.

(Listen to Kaniya Johnson and Melissa Bivolarov on the “Monmouth Conversations” podcast.)

MELISSA BIVOLAROV: ?I had to remind myself to speak because I had won that prestigious scholarshi... MELISSA BIVOLAROV: “I had to remind myself to speak because I had won that prestigious scholarship I had to remind myself to reply to (my counselor).”Bivolarov was literally at a loss for words when she received the good news. She was sitting on her bedroom floor, recovering from track and field practice, when she learned that she had been named a Goldsborough Scholar.

“I had to remind myself to speak because I had won that prestigious scholarship,” said Bivolarov. “I had to remind myself to reply to him.”

Johnson said she is excited about the opportunity to attend a liberal arts college that is close to home. She plans to major in English, with a focus on creative writing, so that she can pursue a career as a screenwriter.

“It means a lot to me to attend a school like Monmouth because I know I will have a lot of support there and it will help me go after what I want to do in life,” she said.

Bivolarov plans to continue to run competitively at Monmouth, joining the Fighting Scots cross country and track and field program. She also plans to be involved in the College’s vibrant cocurricular programs.

“I’ve been very involved with school activities since I was a freshman, and I want to be involved in college as well,” she said.

Bivolarov said she is interested in majoring in kinesiology. She might add a second major and possibly minor in journalism.

“I think it would be cool, once I’m out of college and out working in my health field, to write for medical journals,” she said.

Meet Kaniya Johnson …

Meet Melissa Bivolarov …

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