On March 24, Riverside Brookfield High School senior Isabella Cunat received the Mary Wheeler Scholarship, which Cunat can utilize for the 2025-2026 school year at a college of her choice. Six $3,400, one-time scholarships have been awarded as of this year. To be eligible, applicants must be high school seniors graduating in 2025 with parents or guardians who are members in good standing of the West Suburban Teachers Union, Local 571. Additionally, scholarship recipients should intend to pursue full-time education starting in the fall of 2025.
Mary Wheeler served as a dedicated teacher at Proviso High School from 1924 until 1965. Widely respected in her field, she played a significant role in both the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), holding positions as an AFT vice president and an IFT president. During the 1938-1939 school year, she established the Proviso Council of Teachers and contributed to the creation of several other councils in the surrounding western suburbs. Additionally, she led the West Suburban Teachers Union, Local 571 for numerous years. For the youth in this community, Mary Wheeler represents a bold and pioneering spirit in education.
“The Mary Wheeler scholarship is a part of my mom’s union,” Cunat said. “It’s geared towards the children of teachers in that specific union. It’s for the West Suburban Teachers Union, Local 571. The scholarship is in memory of Mary Wheeler, who was a teacher at Proviso High School from 1924-1965, so [a] very dedicated [teacher],” Cunat said.
In order to be considered, applicants had to fill out a series of questions regarding their involvement in school, out of school activities, jobs, and community service. Because Mary Wheeler is described as a courageous and pioneering spirit in education, applicants were then asked to complete a 350-word essay sharing an experience they had while in high school that demonstrates a courageous, pioneering spirit and what they learned as a result of that experience. Once awarded, a student is able to renew the scholarship, which consists of reapplying to continue getting financial support for additional years. This gives students like Cunat the opportunity to pursue different paths in their education, including achieving an undergraduate degree.
“It’s a one-time thing but can be renewed every year,” Cunat said. “Once you win it, it can be renewed. It can be renewed for up to 4 years so you can get your undergrad [degree].
Cunat plans to set aside the $3,400 for a college fund when she attends Loyola University this fall.
“I plan to put it towards my education, which will be at Loyola,” Cunat said. “My major is going to be nursing, and then hopefully I’m going to grad school as well.”
After over 20 scholarship applications, Cunat was pleased to receive this award. Her hard work and determination highlights her pioneering spirit just as Mary Wheeler herself demonstrated.
“I applied to more than 20 other scholarships this year, so I’m happy I got this one,” Cunat said.
