The John E. Rooney Dynamic Scholarship provides a grant for post-secondary education to a youth from UCAN who embodies the role of a leader. This scholar is selected based upon the quality of his or her application and an interview with selected UCAN board members, staff and youth ambassadors. Each youth must have demonstrated the following to qualify:
- Completed high school with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
- Showed intent to continue an education to an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational training school.
- Demonstrated leadership abilities in academics and extra-curricular activities in school and within the community.
About the Rooney Family
The late John E. Rooney, also known as Jack, was the President & Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Cellular Corporation. He became a prominent leader in the Chicago business community by creating value-based cultures within the companies he ran. He believed a company's culture should motivate employees to demonstrate customer focus, respect, empowerment, pride and ethics. The business model he used while at U.S. Cellular was based on effective leadership, and in 2004 U.S. Cellular established this scholarship to honor him for his own leadership. Since then, this scholarship has given young people the chance to pursue their dreams of a college education and the opportunity to become successful leaders.
Ya’Natika Morgan
Ya’Natika Morgan has been part of UCAN’s Workforce Development program for two years. She is currently a senior at Devry University Advantage Academy High School, where she will also receive an associates in business. She has participated in both the Chicago Youth Service Program and One Summer Chicago. After college, she is considering starting a business or becoming a music teacher, as singing and music are two of her biggest passions. In the future, she hopes to bring music programs to those who do not have the opportunity to join one.
Youth Leadership Award Recipient 2022
Isaiah Spears
Isaiah Spears is currently a student at Depauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. At school, he served on the Student Council for two terms as Vice President, interned at the Women’s Center and currently is the Youth Coordinator at the Diversity and Inclusion Center on campus. He is heavily involved with LGBTQ and BLM activism, and is passionate about social justice. He will use this award to continue his studies in graduate school and obtain a Master's in Educational Leadership in Higher Education or Strategic Leadership Development, programs that he is currently applying for. He was part of UCAN’s Counseling and Youth Development Services.
Colby Boyd
Colby Boyd is currently a junior at South Shore International College Prep High School where she participates in the International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) in the medical tract. Colby is part of a mental health group at school and is an advocate for peers’ mental health. Colby participates in many sports, but after tearing her ACL she needed physical therapy, which ended up inspiring her to pursue a degree in physical therapy. She is currently looking at the University of Illinois at Chicago for her undergraduate degree because of their medical programs.
Kyla Ann Osborne
Kyla Osborne has been part of UCAN’s Youth Peace Council for three years, including in 2020 when she was a co-lead and gave the closing speech in front of 50 of her peers. She has also participated in a racial healing panel at UCAN and spoke at a panel on gun violence convened by U.S. Congressman Danny Davis. She plans on going to the University of Michigan to study major Political Science. Afterward, she wants to go to law school and eventually becoming a politician. She is extremely passionate about politics and social justice. She is currently a senior at George Westinghouse College Prep in North Lawndale.
Chiagozie Onyewuchi
Chiagozie Onyewuchi is a junior at the University of Illinois in Champaigne-Ubrana. He is an Economics major and Computer Science minor. Chiagozie grew up in North Lawndale, where he was very active in his church and was employed at the Chicago Leader newspaper. At school, Chiagoze is in the Robotics Club, Chess Club, Poetry Club, and a School Theatre Production of “The Wiz”. Chiagozie also enjoys journalism, video editing and coding. He hopes to get a career in the tech industry after graduation but is also interested in the creative sector. He has also lived in Nigeria.
Comprehensive Undergraduate Success Program Recipient 2022
Deja Burell
Deja Burrell has been part of the UCAN’s Youth Development and Counseling Services program for five years. She has also participated in the Diermeier Future Leaders Now program. Deja currently attends Lincoln University in Missouri where she studies business. In high school, Deja started a dance group and also participated in her school’s choir. She was also the co-captain of the track team. Deja has many ideas to start her own business and hopes to create something that will help people in the future.
Diamond Neal
Diamond Neal currently attends high school but also takes classes at Harold Washington College. She plans on transferring to a four-year university and eventually get her master’s degree in architectural engineering. She has participated in UCAN’s Dietmeier Future Leaders Now program, graduating on to join the Advanced Leadership Institute. She is also on UCAN’s Youth Advisory Board. In 2019, she was the winner of UCAN’s Future Leader’s Night Youth award.
Antwaun Wade
Antwaun Wade Jr has been part of UCAN’S Violence Intervention and Prevention Services for two years. He currently is a senior at North Lawndale College Prep. He has applied to many different colleges and is currently deciding on which school to attend. One of his main goals in life is to help youth who face similar obstacles as he did experience other opportunities like his mentor did for him. He hopes to start a business that can help youth in his community.
Anthony Ezeanyim
Anthony Ezeanyim is currently a sophomore at Millikin University in Decator, IL, where he is studying mechanical engineering. He eventually wants to own his own company, perhaps in the auto industry, and be in a position to give back to his community. He enjoys working on cars and playing football and baseball. Anthony also enjoys writing and contributes to a local newspaper, which he assists in distributing and editing. He is also very active in church and often participates in their events. Anthony has been part of UCAN’s Workforce Development program for two years.