Plainfield North Grad Named Golden Apple Scholar

Submitted by Plainfield School District 202

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield North High School alum Mary Pat Robey has been named a Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois.

Robey, who graduated May 14, 2016 was chosen from about 1,900 nominations received for the prestigious program designed to help future teachers. She is the seventh District 202 student to be chosen for this prestigious program.

This year, the Golden Apple program will provide “extended scholarships” to some students, including Robey that will be funded next year because of program restrictions. The extended scholarships are in addition to the 200 scholarships funded this year.

Extended scholarship recipients will enjoy the same benefits as this year’s scholars, as long as the meet minimum academic requirements.

The Golden Apple Scholar program was created in 1989 “to increase the numbers of resilient, effective and underrepresented teachers for students in Illinois schools…serving a low-income population or with below-average test scores,” according to the Golden Apple web site.

The program provides tuition assistance to each Scholar while they pursue an undergraduate education at a designated state university.

Golden Apple Scholars also participate in a series of four summer teaching institutes before they start student teaching. Golden Apple award-winning educators lead the summer institutes.

Robey will attend Illinois State University next year and double major in both vocal and instrumental Music Education. She plans to teach both subjects after college.

Robey has been selected for the Honors Program and will receive Academic, Vocal, and Horn Scholarships. Robey plays French horn in band, and sings in numerous PNHS choirs. She has been named an Illinois State Scholar and is a Presidential Academic Award winner.

She was named to the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Choir as a Senior and ILMEA All-State Future Music Educators Seminar as a junior.

Though she admits it’s a tough time to go into education as a profession, Robey said she has been so inspired by her high school music teachers that she in intent on teaching herself.

“I’ve had some pretty awesome teachers in high school and I’ve had some great experiences,” she said. “I want to be able to do that with other kids and give them the same passion that my teachers have given me.”