MONMOUTH, Ill. – Two Chicago-area high school seniors have received one of the top scholarships to Monmouth College.
Isabella D’Incognitoof Island Lake, Illinois, andJames Gustafsonof Chicago have been named a William J. and Beverly Goldsborough Scholar, one of the College’s most prestigious scholarships.
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.
Isabella D'IncognitoIsabella D’Incognito
D’Incognito is a senior at Wauconda High School who plans to major in psychology at Monmouth and then attend graduate school. She said that she was attracted to Monmouth because of the research opportunities students have beginning in their freshmen year, along with the College’s strong sense of community.
“I am interested in doing research in psychology, and Monmouth extends that opportunity to freshmen, which is just spectacular and so exciting,” said D’Incognito, the daughter of Steven and Beth D’Incognito.
At Wauconda, D’Incognito is vice president of her school’s debate team, has been involved with theater, is a member of the principal’s council and has produced award-winning art.
“Monmouth felt like being at home when I was walking around the campus – it felt very familiar, homey and comfortable,” she said. “I could definitely see myself there, and people seemed to genuinely care about each other here. … I am especially excited to be at Monmouth, because it just seems to be an amazing campus in an amazing place.”
James GustafsonJames Gustafson
Gustafson, a senior at St. Patrick High School who plans to major in business administration at Monmouth, said he was introduced to the liberal arts college by a good friend.
“We toured the campus once when we were at an event in (nearby) Burlington, Iowa, and I just really liked it,” said Gustafson, the son of Bobbi Gustafson.
Gustafson is a sprinter and high jumper on the St. Patrick track and field team, and he plays striker on the varsity soccer team. He also plans to join his school’s esports team this spring. Gustafson hopes to use his Monmouth education to start and operate his own coaching business for athletes.
“In college, I want to gain more knowledge about how to run a business and how to set myself up to be successful, and I think Monmouth will be a good place to do that,” he said.
Listen Up …
Meet the top scholars in the Class of 2028 on the “Monmouth College Conversations” podcast.
Meet four of the top scholars in the Class of 2027: William J. and Beverly Goldsborough Scholars Kaniya Johnson of Chicago and Melissa Bivolarov of Arlington Heights, Illinois (pictured), and Admiral’s Scholars Mariah Hobson of Princeton, Illinois, and Uma Phadke of Katy, Texas.
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