KAI Scholarships
Theresa Funke Memorial Scholarship
THERESA FUNKE
The creation and teaching of art were the focus of Theresa Funke throughout her life. Growing up in Evansville, Indiana, art quickly became a passion for her in her pre-teen and teenage years where she received several awards in city wide art shows. She developed these skills in her college, St. Mary's College, and post-graduate studies, American University.
While she pursued other professional interests in adulthood, she continued to paint, draw and explore art. In her mid 40's, Theresa returned full time to art by obtaining a teaching degree from Northern Illinois University. As a NIU student, Theresa observed Bonnie Whildin's art class at Kaneland. Theresa found her first job at Lincolnway High School, but after two years, a full time elementary art position opened up at an elementary school in Kaneland, working in the same room alongside Bonnie Whildin. During the student teaching observation, Bonnie had explained the idea of a Fine Arts Festival. She wanted to bring professional artists to rural Kaneland for her families and students to learn about being an artist. Theresa loved the idea and plans began to propose the idea to Superintendent of Schools, Dr. McCormick. When the two new grade schools were built in Elburn and Sugar Grove, Bonnie and Theresa were assigned to each school respectively and together, they held the first festival in Kaneland in 1998.
Theresa loved teaching art to all her students from grade school to high school. At whatever age her students were, she explored with the students how to create art following tried and true principles. In order to foster other creative pursuits, Theresa studied and taught photography, jewelry and ceramics. As a result of her focus on personal instruction in the classroom setting, many of her students received local and national awards. Theresa continued to teach until her untimely death at the age of 59 in 2011. In 2014, the Board of Directors of the Kaneland Arts Initiative voted to rename the Kaneland Arts Initiative Fine Arts Scholarship to honor Theresa and her passion for students and the Arts.
THE SCHOLARSHIP
The mission of the Kaneland Arts Initiative is to encourage people’s involvement in, appreciation of, and support for artistic endeavors and fostering the development of artistic abilities. The Theresa Funke Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship is for Kaneland High School students who intend to major in a Fine Art in college. Strong candidates are those who have participated in the Arts both in and out of Kaneland High School and have references from artistic people from the activities listed. Candidates are also required to write a brief statement or submit a video indicating those who have inspired them to focus on the Arts as a degree in college and how they hope to inspire others.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Kaneland High School seniors who plan to attend a 2 or 4 year college or university after high school.
Candidates MUST intend to MAJOR in a Fine Arts discipline at their college/university such as:
visual art (including graphic arts)
music
theatre
dance
music/art therapy
any education of the arts disciplines listed
others (video game creation, stage management, screenwriting, etc)
Diane McFarlin Artfully Passionate Scholarship
DIANE MCFARLIN
Diane McFarlin has served the Kaneland District in several different capacities since 1990. She began by directing annual student productions. From there, she taught theatre classes, served as the Instructional Coordinator of the Kaneland KAP (Kaneland Advantage) Program and most recently served as Assistant Principal of Kaneland High School until her retirement in June of 2017. Diane also served on numerous committees throughout her career, most notably the committee to convince the Kaneland District and Community of the need for an auditorium in which the talented students of the Kaneland District could perform. For KAI, she served as the Artistic Director, where she assisted in creating and choosing the artistic programs and opportunities that the Kaneland Arts Initiative offers within the district and for the Kaneland community and beyond. She has directed the provocative, thoughtful, and moving winter theatre productions in Kaneland’s versatile Black Box Theatre along with more than half of the summer theatre productions in Kaneland’s premiere performance space, the Kaneland Auditorium.
What makes Diane’s legacy so important and indelible to those whom she comes in contact with is her ever present passion for the Arts. Those who have had the wonderful opportunity to work with Diane notice immediately that she dedicates herself to assisting each individual in finding and succeeding in their passion. She continues as she always has to participate in Artistic endeavors, whether as an actor on stage, a director, a singer, or an audience member. The essence of Diane is that she is truly artfully passionate for what she does. She is a shining example of “working hard and loving your work.” To celebrate Diane’s dedication to the Arts, specifically for Kaneland and the Kaneland Arts Initiative, the Board of Directors of the Kaneland Arts Initiative voted to create the Diane McFarlin Artfully Passionate Scholarship to be awarded to a Kaneland High School senior who was an active participant in the Fine Arts opportunities offered at Kaneland High School. This scholarship is for students who are not choosing to major in a Fine Art major, but will carry the value of the Arts and their passion for them with them into their future lives and successes.
THE SCHOLARSHIP
The mission of the Kaneland Arts Initiative is to encourage people’s involvement in, appreciation of, and support for artistic endeavors and foster the development of artistic abilities. The Diane McFarlin Artfully Passionate Scholarship is for Kaneland High School students who are not intending to major in a Fine Art discipline in college. Candidates may be intending to minor in a Fine Art discipline. These Kaneland High School students show participation in Kaneland High School Fine Arts opportunities. They may have participated in curricular and/or extra-curricular Fine Arts classes/activities. Strong candidates are those who have participated in the Arts both in and out of Kaneland High School and have references from artistic people from the activities listed. Candidates are also required to write a brief statement or submit a video indicating how their work in Kaneland Fine Arts opportunities influenced or inspired them and how their passion for the Arts will aid them in their future. Candidates may choose to write about those who have inspired them and how they hope to inspire others.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Kaneland High School seniors who plan to attend a 2 or 4 year college or university after high school.
Candidates are going to major in any field of study that is NOT in the Fine Arts.
If you are MINORING in a fine arts program, you MAY complete this scholarship.
If you are MAJORING in a fine arts program, you should apply for the Theresa Funke Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship.