Plainfield Senior Named 2015 Golden Apple Scholar

Submitted by Plainfield School District 202

Plainfield South High School senior Olivia Skummer is one of 200 students statewide named a 2015 Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois.

Skummer was chosen from 1,682 nominations received for the prestigious program designed to help future teachers. She is the first PSHS student – and the sixth from District 202 – to be chosen for this prestigious program.

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.

More important, the 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.

“She definitely rose to the top immediately with her essays, which got perfect scores, and her interview, which also got a perfect score,” said Golden Apple Scholar Director Jim Sorenson. “She is a positive force and we really look forward to having her.”

Skummer said she has wanted to be a special education teacher since the 6th grade when she met and befriended a student with Down syndrome through the Peer Buddies program. “I can’t see myself doing anything else with my life,” Skummer said.

Since then she has attended several special education summer camps and Special Olympics programs during high school, and intends to go to another this summer.

“You buddy up with two or three campers and support them in their activities,” Skummer explained. “(The camps are) the best thing I’ve ever done,” Skummer said.

Skummer plans to attend DePaul University – where, coincidentally, this year’s Golden Apple summer institute will also be held.

“I truly believe her recognition as a Golden Apple Scholar fittingly captures Olivia’s service, leadership and scholarship here at Plainfield South,” said PSHS Principal David Travis.

“We are so proud of her and we wish her the best in her future endeavors,” he said.