The 25th Anniversary Reaching for Rainbows “Pursuit of Excellence” Scholarship Gala takes place Friday, May 9, at the N.E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center (TARC) on the campus of Carthage College in Kenosha. The evening’s festivities begin with a reception at 5 p.m. followed by the dinner program at 6:15 p.m.
Mahone Foundation Career Exploration Organization (CEO) scholarships, along with Herzing University and Carthage College scholarships, will be awarded to high school students selected from more than 100 scholarship applications. Students attending Kenosha Unified School District high schools, Shoreland Lutheran, Christian Life, St. Joseph Catholic Academy High School, Racine Unified School District high schools, The Prairie School, St. Catherine’s, and Racine Lutheran were eligible to submit applications. This marks the first time in the 25-year history of Reaching for Rainbows that scholarships will be awarded to students from both Kenosha and Racine.
Reaching for Rainbows and Mahone Foundation CEO scholarships honor the inspiring legacy of Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone. The Mahone Foundation mission supports educational goals of students and continues to provide educational opportunities for economically and academically deserving youth while supporting healthy lifestyle initiatives in communities of color.
Mahone Foundation Chairman Tim Mahone credits the program’s ongoing success to the dedication and generosity of donors, sponsors, and partners, along with the commitment of all CEO scholarship recipients. “The quarter-century of Reaching for Rainbows is a testament to the vision and inspiration of my parents, who saw access to affordable education as the key to opportunity,” Mahone said. “The entire Mahone Foundation takes great pride in how scholarship recipients contribute and give back in their communities.”
Bear Development provides financial and internship support to the CEO mentoring program and, in many cases, helps develop career pathways for students. “For the past 24 years, we have supported the Mahone Foundation CEO mentoring program because we see the difference it makes in the lives of students who then become contributors in our society. The Reaching for Rainbows anniversary gala is the celebration of that success,” said S.R. Mills, Bear Real Estate Group chief executive officer.
Education partners Carthage College and Herzing University provide scholarships, including full-tuition awards. The scholarships are designed to transform the lives of local students. “Our goal is to give the gift of education to Kenosha and Racine’s future leaders while also supporting the life-changing work of the Mahone Foundation,” said Dr. Jeff Hill, Herzing University regional vice president of operations, Midwest Region.
Carthage and the Mahone Foundation have a shared commitment to advancing educational opportunities in the community. “We are thrilled to award these scholarships and proud to serve students from Kenosha and Racine with our commitment to meeting their education goals,” said Ashley Hanson, vice president for enrollment at Carthage.
Proceeds from the scholarship gala benefit the CEO College and Career Readiness Mentoring Program, providing academic and business activities for first-generation and low- to moderate-income students between the ages of 14-24. The program is designed to match students with an academic and business advisor to explore, develop, and pursue scholastic and career goals. The foundational program components are STEM education, employment and economic sustainability, and life’s skills development. High school seniors who participate are eligible to apply for the College Scholarship Initiative, which is currently administered by the Kenosha Community Foundation.
In addition to college scholarships, the Shebaniah B. Muhammad Signature Award and the Dr. Bryan Albrecht Living Legend Community Award will be presented at the gala. The awards honor individuals who have shown a lifetime of leadership and commitment in support of Kenosha and Racine area youth, as well as a dedicated and sustained investment toward the success of the Mahone Foundation mission.
Tickets for the 25th Anniversary Reaching for Rainbows “Pursuit of Excellence” Gala are $75 per person and can be purchased at the Mahone Foundation website www.mahonefund.org or by contacting chairman@mahonefund.org. Opportunities for event sponsorship and program advertising can be found at the Mahone Foundation website.
In support of its mission, the Mahone Foundation also presents the popular Lincoln Park Live Music Series each summer, the Harbor Park Jazz, Rhythm, and Blues Festival on Kenosha’s lakefront, and the PowerUp: College and Resource Fair.
The Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone Foundation is a proud partner of the United Way of Kenosha County. To ensure ongoing positive community impact, the United Way of Kenosha County will serve as the Mahone Foundation’s fiscal sponsor as they broaden horizons and expand services. All donations made on behalf of the Mahone Foundation will be tax-deductible as permitted by law.
Kenosha Scholarship Categories
MAHONE FOUNDATION
● Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone CEO Scholarship – up to ten (10) awarded at $5,000 each
HERZING
● Mahone/Herzing University Full-Tuition Scholarship
CARTHAGE
● Mahone/Carthage College Full-Tuition Scholarship
● Mahone/Carthage College Access Education Awards – up to 12 available
Racine Scholarship Categories
MAHONE FOUNDATION
● Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship – 3 available at $5,000 each
HERZING
● Mahone/Herzing University Full-Tuition Scholarship
CARTHAGE
● Mahone/Carthage College Access Education Awards – 7 available
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