Plainfield Graduates Win Martens Science Scholarships

Photo: Top row: Reed Herner, Pia Osinubi. Bottom row: Paul Miller, Alexa Anderson

Submitted by Plainfield School District 202

Four District 202 high school graduates each won a new, locally-funded scholarship created specifically to help students who intend to study science in college.

Plainfield High School – Central Campus graduate Paul Miller; Plainfield South High School graduate Alexa Anderson; Plainfield North High School graduate Reed Herner; and Plainfield East High School graduate Pia Osinubi each received a $2,500 Martens Family Science Scholarship in May.

The Martens Family Science Scholarship is given in memory of former Plainfield resident Fred Martens, who was a nuclear engineer at Argonne Labs. Both Martens children graduated from Plainfield High School (now Plainfield High School – Central Campus.)

Martens’ wife, Carolyn approached the District 202 Foundation for Excellence about a year ago to create and endow the scholarship in her husband’s memory. The Foundation will administer the scholarship as it does several others for third-party donors.

“I wanted to create this scholarship because I know how hard and expensive it is to get these degrees,” Martens said. “These students deserve recognition for their hard work and achievements,” she added.

The scholarships will be given annually to one student at each of District 202’s four traditional high schools. Students at Plainfield Academy, District 202’s alternative high school may also apply through their home high school.

Applicants must intend to major in a physical or life science, engineering, or math at a fully accredited state or private university that offers a doctorate in their chosen field.

Miller intends to major in aerospace engineering at Purdue University. Osinubi will attend the University of Illinois and major in biochemistry and pre-med.

Herner plans to attend Georgia Tech and major in nuclear engineering. Anderson is going to the Milwaukee School of Engineering to major in bio-molecular engineering.

“Mrs. Martens’ generous gesture is reatly appreciated by our students and their families,” said Foundation for Excellence Chairperson Margie Bonuchi.

“The Foundation is proud to help the Martens family honor their husband and father in such a meaningful way,” she said.