(EFFINGHAM, Illinois – June 23, 2025) Five outstanding students have been named recipients of the 2025 Diane Siemer Scholarship. Serenity Gagliardi, Amber Roan, Courtney Rhodes, Shelby Williams, and Benjamin Yagow will each receive $4,000 for the 2025-26 school year. This prestigious scholarship recognizes their hard work and determination in pursuing their education goals.
Pictured R to L: Benjamin Yagow, Shelby Williams, Amber Roan, Courtney Rhodes, Serentiy Gagliardi.
Serenity Gagliardi will be attending Lake Land College to pursue a degree in early childhood education, while Amber Roan will be pursuing an English degree at Eastern Illinois University. Courtney Rhodes will also be attending Lake Land College, focusing on a Human Services degree. Shelby Williams will continue her education at Eastern Illinois University, aiming for a psychology degree, and Benjamin Yagow will be studying Humanities and Social Science. Congratulations to all the recipients for their hard work and commitment to their education!
The Diane Siemer Scholarship was established to perpetuate higher educational opportunities for General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or a High School Diploma through a Pathways class in Effingham County. GED graduates, Pathways graduates, and students from Aspire and Tristar Academy are eligible to apply. Applicants must be residents of Effingham County pursuing a certification program, a two-year associate degree, or a vocational/technical school certification at Lake Land College, or a four-year college degree after completing Lake Land College. Awardees of this scholarship are given preference each year until the completion of their education. This scholarship was established by Diane Siemer’s family in honor of her long career in education.
Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation manages more than 250 funds for the immediate and long-term benefit of communities in southeastern Illinois. For more information, contact Alex Pleasant, President/CEO of Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation at 217.342.4988 or alex@southeasternillinois.org.
