Chicago Heights Lions Club Announces 2025 Scholarship Recipients

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL – May 22, 2025 — The Chicago Heights Lions Club proudly announces the recipients of its 2025 “We Serve” Scholarship Awards, recognizing high school seniors who exemplify academic excellence, community leadership, and a heartfelt dedication to service.

Each year, the Club invites graduating seniors from the 60411 zip code to apply for the scholarship. This year’s applicants submitted powerful essays outlining their vision for community engagement and their lived commitment to giving back. After a competitive selection process, three outstanding students were chosen:

• Iyanna Bordes, Bloom Trail High School, recipient of the $1,000 Certificate of Excellence Scholarship
• Joshua McClendon, Marian Catholic High School, recipient of a $500 Certificate of Distinction Scholarship
• Akilah Dixon, Homewood-Flossmoor High School, recipient of a $500 Certificate of Distinction Scholarship

In their essays, these students reflected on how service has shaped their purpose and how they hope to make an even greater impact moving forward.

“I aspire to be a source of support, care, and positive change,” wrote Iyanna Bordes, who shared a vision of building stronger, more compassionate communities. “Each act of kindness and each effort to improve the lives of others is a reminder of the profound power of community-driven initiatives.”

Joshua McClendon reflected on his growth through service: “Volunteering gave me purpose. It made me feel connected to something bigger than myself.” He added, “Service has helped me step into leadership roles I never imagined myself in before.”

Akilah Dixon credited her commitment to service to those who helped her along the way: “Giving back to others the way so many people have poured into me is a big part of why I serve.” She continued, “I want to help the next generation realize their worth and support them the way I’ve been supported.”

“These students don’t just talk about service. They live it,” said Kelli Merrick, Chair of the Scholarship Committee and Advisor to the Alpha Leo Club of South Cook, the youth service club of Chicago Heights Lions. “Their stories remind us that young people are not only tomorrow’s leaders. They are already making a difference today.”

Jessica Mangiaracina, the Club’s Service Chairperson and a member since 2016, added, “As someone who’s been doing this work for a while, I’m always inspired when I see young people step into it with heart. Service is something that grows with you, and these students are already off to a powerful start.”

The recipients will be formally recognized at the Chicago Heights Lions Club’s Annual Charter Night on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Scrementi’s Restaurant in Steger, Illinois. Each honoree and two family members will attend as guests of the Club.

The Chicago Heights Lions Club, a chapter of Lions Clubs International, has proudly served the community since 1948 through outreach, philanthropy, and service projects that reflect the core mission: We Serve.

For more information or to support the Club’s scholarship and service programs, please contact kelli.merrick08@gmail.com.