The Mahone Foundation Career Exploration Organization (CEO) mentoring program is encouraging eligible high school seniors in Kenosha and Racine pursuing their education at a two-year or four-year institution to apply for CEO scholarships.
Students attending Kenosha Unified School District high schools, Shoreland Lutheran, Christian Life, St. Joseph Catholic Academy High School, Racine Unified School District high schools, The Prairie School, St. Catherine’s, and Racine Lutheran are eligible.
The application deadline is Saturday, March 22, 2025.
This marks the first year in the 25-year history of Reaching for Rainbows that scholarships will be available to Racine students attending the participating schools. Mahone Foundation Chairman Tim Mahone credits the program’s past success with the growth and new investment in Racine. “The dedication and generosity of our donors, sponsors and partners, along with the commitment of all CEO scholarship recipients, have been the building blocks,” Mahone said. “Education creates opportunity, and the scholarship program helps create access by making education more affordable and prepares students for the 21st century global workplace.”
Terri Wruck and Sabrina Morgan serve as Mahone Scholarship Committee co-chairs. “Expanding our reach into Racine empowers more students with tools needed to succeed,” Wruck said. In addition to awarding a total of close to 400 scholarships, the Mahone Foundation CEO program provides mentoring and networking opportunities. “This is especially valuable for our underserved communities and those that are first in their families to attend college,” Morgan said. “We look forward to helping more students reach their goals.”
Community stakeholders, including Snap-on Incorporated, with headquarters in Kenosha, are not only providing financial support to the CEO scholarship program, but in many cases, they help develop career pathways for students.
“Snap-on is a proud supporter of the Mahone Foundation and its efforts to transform lives in southeast Wisconsin. We’ve seen firsthand how Mahone Scholars inspire others throughout their academic journey,” said Michael Bond, director of community relations at Snap-on.
“From a strategic perspective, the Mahone Foundation provides Snap-on with an additional channel to identify future associates through our internship program. I’m convinced the success of the CEO Scholarship Program is due in part to the combination of affordable education and workplace opportunities that we and other community partners offer the students.”
The Career Exploration Organization (CEO) is a college and career readiness mentoring program providing academic and business activities for first-generation and/or low to moderate-income high school students between the ages of 14-24 including current CEO scholarship recipients. The program is designed to match students with an academic and business advisor to explore, develop, and pursue scholastic and career goals. The three foundational program components are STEM education, employment and economic sustainability, and life’s skills development. High school seniors who participate in this program are eligible to apply for the College Scholarship initiative, which is currently administered by the Kenosha Community Foundation.
The Reaching for Rainbows Pursuit of Excellence Gala was established 25 years ago to honor the inspiring legacy of Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone. It was and continues to be the Mahone family’s way of paying it forward.
In addition to Reaching for Rainbows, the Mahone Foundation presents the popular Lincoln Park Live Music Series each summer, the Harbor Park Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Festival on Kenosha’s lakefront, and PowerUp: College and Resource Fair. The Mahone Foundation mission supports the educational goals of students in Kenosha and Racine, and continues to provide educational opportunities for economically and academically deserving youth while supporting healthy lifestyle initiatives in communities of color.
Education partners Carthage College and Herzing University provide scholarships including some full-tuition awards. The scholarships are designed to transform the lives of local students. “Our goal is to give the gift of education to Kenosha and Racine’s future leaders while also supporting the life-changing work of The Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Foundation,” said Dr. Jeff Hill, Herzing University regional vice president of operations, Midwest Region.
Carthage and the Mahone Foundation have a long-standing collaboration reflecting a shared commitment to advancing educational opportunities in the community. “We are thrilled to award these scholarships, including a full-tuition scholarship, to hardworking and deserving students,” said Ashley Hanson, vice president for enrollment at Carthage. “We’re proud to serve students from Kenosha and Racine with our commitment to meeting their education goals.”
Applications may be obtained on the website: www.mahonefund.org or from the guidance offices at all participating high schools. Completed applications can be submitted online or to students’ guidance counselors. The scholarship award recipients will be honored at the 25th Annual Reaching for Rainbows Pursuit of Excellence Gala Friday, May 9.
For questions or additional information, please contact Sabrina Morgan at morgans@gtc.edu or call 262-564-2362.
The Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone Foundation is a proud partner of the United Way of Kenosha County. To ensure ongoing positive community impact, the United Way of Kenosha County will serve as the Mahone Foundation’s fiscal sponsor as they broaden horizons and expand services. All
donations made on behalf of the Mahone Foundation will be tax deductible as permitted by law.
Kenosha Scholarship Categories
MAHONE FOUNDATION
● Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone CEO Scholarship – up to ten (10) awarded at $5,000 each
HERZING
● Mahone/Herzing University Full-Tuition Scholarship
CARTHAGE
● Mahone/Carthage College Full-Tuition Scholarship
● Mahone/Carthage College Access Education Awards – up to 12 available
Racine Scholarship Categories
MAHONE FOUNDATION
● Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship – 3 available at $5,000 each
HERZING
● Mahone/Herzing University Full-Tuition Scholarship
CARTHAGE
● Mahone/Carthage College Access Education Awards – 7 available
