York Student Awarded $20K Scholarship

ELMHURST, IL — York Community High School senior Amanda Bardhoshi was recently awarded a $20,000 scholarship by the HEAR (Health, Education and Relief) Foundation. According to a release, the HEAR Foundation’s mission is to provide financial and mentoring support to Chicagoland high school graduates of need, who have demonstrated academic excellence, commitment to community, and highest moral character in pursuing their dream of a college education.

Bardhoshi was one of 16 seniors to receive a HEAR scholarship this spring.

Known as the HEAR Class of 2021, scholarship winners will be attending top universities throughout the United States. The HEAR Class of 2021 is the largest yet for the HEAR Foundation.

The district said Bardhoshi has a cumulative GPA of 4.592 on a 4-point scale. She remains on the YCHS high honor roll, and was impressively inducted to York’s National Honor Society, based on her grades and merit outside of school. In addition to this, she was also accepted into the National Spanish Honor Society and received the Seal of Biliteracy this year at York.

According to a release, when Bardhoshi is not devoting time to her education, she keeps busy playing the violin. She has also demonstrated her aptitude in government and law by participating in the Future Diplomats of America and the Law Team. Outside of school, you can find her volunteering at Elmhurst Hospital.

"Amanda is a first generation American, as such, she is experiencing many firsts in her family She is the first to go through the college application process, and she has done so seamlessly, guidance counselor Trish Weber said in a release. "While there is a lot of pressure in being the first to go through this, it never hinders her. Instead, we see her pushing harder and remaining motivated toward pursuing her dreams."

Photo provided by District 205.