Akayla Ross, a senior at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, was surprised to walk into a celebration in her honor Thursday, Feb. 19, where she was awarded a scholarship to Southern Illinois University valued at $108,000.

Agnes Szemborski, assistant vice chancellor for external relations at SIU, came to H-F to present the SIU Carbondale Chancellor’s Scholarship that covers tuition, mandatory fees, housing and meals for four years. She said when Ross applied, her outstanding academic record made her eligible for the award.

H-F counselor Melissa Sauder helped Ross meet all the deadlines. H-F uses a School Links program that gives counselors up-to-date information and deadlines on students’ applications and scholarships. 

The SIU Scholarship Committee reviewed numerous applications, Szemborski said. This year, 30 students, with a grade point average of at least a 3.8 on a 4.0 scale were selected. Ross’s GPA is 3.9.

Ross, of Flossmoor, will major in business/marketing at SIU. She hopes to use her degree working for a company.

The senior has been in the Vikings Marching Band for four years. She plays trumpet. She started playing trumpet as a fifth grader at Heather Hill School.

She’s also enjoys competitive dance outside of H-F.