The 2026 Reaching for Rainbows Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship Gala was another record-setting event. Thirty-three high school students from Kenosha and Racine were awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to make continuing their education more affordable. In addition to being a record number, it marks the second time in the 26-year history of Reaching for Rainbows that students from both Kenosha and Racine will receive scholarship awards.
In addition to college scholarships, the Dr. Bryan Albrecht Living Legend Award and the Shebaniah Judah Signature Award will be presented. Kathleen and Peter Barca are this year’s Judah Signature Award honorees. Marieta Huff, Cyndean Jennings, and GeorgAnn Stinson-Dockery will receive the Albrecht Living Legend Award.
Mahone Foundation Chairman Tim Mahone said the scholarship program continues to grow thanks to the dedication and generosity of donors, sponsors, and partners, along with the commitment of all CEO scholarship recipients. “Reaching for Rainbows is a testament to the vision and inspiration of my parents, Mary Lou and Arthur, who saw access to affordable education as the key to opportunity,” Mahone said. “I especially want to thank the Kenosha Community Foundation for the help and guidance in managing the scholarship fund. Their efforts, along with many of our other partners, demonstrate a real commitment to affordable education within our communities.”
More than 650 community members attend the sold-out gala on Friday, May 8, at the N.E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center (TARC) at Carthage College in Kenosha. Proceeds each year from the gala benefit the CEO college and career readiness mentoring program, providing academic and business activities for first-generation and low- to moderate-income students between the ages of 14-24
Twenty students are receiving the Mahone Foundation Career Exploration Organization (CEO) scholarships this year. Mahone Scholarship Committee co-chair Sabrina Morgan noted a record number of applicants in the highly competitive award process. “We are creating more awareness about the resources to make college more affordable. The CEO scholarships, combined with Carthage College and Herzing University scholarships, were selected from more than 140 applications.” Morgan said.
Scholarship Committee co-chair Terri Wruck noted that the 2026 Mahone Scholars have already shown remarkable success in academic and community service, while oftentimes facing personal and financial challenges. “Each has a promising future and will no doubt lead the next generation in leadership and excellence in any profession they choose,” Wruck said.
Mahone Foundation Education partners, the Kenosha Unified School District and the Racine Unified School District, have a shared commitment to advancing educational opportunities in the community and reducing financial barriers to accessing college. “Our partnership with the Racine and Kenosha Unified School districts leverages organizational capacity and bridges the commitment of both communities to meet the needs of our students and families, “says Tim Mahone, Chairman, Mahone Foundation.
“We sincerely value our long-standing relationship with the Mahone Foundation. The opportunities and resources provided to our students are truly remarkable. Our community is stronger because of the Mahone Foundation,” says Jeff Weiss, Superintendent, KUSD
Soren Gajewski, RUSD Superintendent, stated, “Our partnership with the Mahone Foundation reflects what’s possible when a community comes together around its students. By continuously working together to expand access to resources and opportunities, we are helping ensure every learner can explore their interests, grow their talents, and see a future full of possibility.”
The Mahone Foundation’s mission supports the educational goals of students and continues to provide educational opportunities for economically and academically deserving youth while supporting healthy lifestyle initiatives in communities of color.
Bear Development of Kenosha is among many community businesses and organizations that partner with the Mahone Foundation. S.R. Mills, Bear Real Estate Group chief executive officer, said that his company has supported scholarship and mentoring programs because “we see the tremendous impact the programs make in the professional development of these students and the contributions they make in their community.”
To learn more about the Mahone Foundation scholarships at the Mahone Foundation website www.mahonefund.org or contact chairman@mahonefund.org.
Kenosha Students Receiving Mahone Foundation Scholarships
Tremper High School
Name: Olivia Graves – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC)
Academic Program: Radiography
Name: Melanny Ruiz – Mahone Foundation Carthage College Access
College: Carthage College
Academic Program: Marketing
Name: Hunter Stouffer – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Academic Program: Biological Sciences
Harborside Academy
Name: Natalie Jecevicus – Mahone Foundation Carthage College Access Award
College: Carthage College
Academic Program: Nursing
Name: Takiyah Young – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: University of Wisconsin -Parkside
Academic Program: Nursing
Indian Trail High School and Academy
Name: Marley Kirby – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: Carthage College
Academic Program: Education
Name: Rashun Toney II – Mahone Foundation Carthage College Access Award
College: Carthage College
Academic Program: Graphic Design
Name: Jordyn Young – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Academic Program: Sports Management with an emphasis on Exercise & Sports Science
Name: Erza Zenuni- Mahone Foundation Carthage College Access Award
College: Carthage College
Academic Program: Biotechnology (Pre-Med Track)
KTEC Schools of Innovation
Name: Nevaeh Vargas – Herzing University Full Tuition Scholarship
College: Herzing University
Academic Program: Nursing
Lakeview Technology Academy
Name: Micailla Loren Balan – Mahone Foundation Carthage College Access Award
College: Carthage College
Academic Major: Psychology
Name – Sarah Yusuf – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Academic Program: Biology (pre-med)
Bradford High School
Name: Tony Jones Fisher – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: Quincy University
Academic Program: Kinesiology
Name: Naron Hamp – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Academic Program: Business & Criminal Justice
Name: Makael Phillips – Mahone Foundation Carthage College Access Award
College: Carthage College
Academic Program: Business and Finance
Name: Jazzelle Finley – Mahone Foundation Carthage College Full Tuition Scholarship
College: Carthage College
Academic Program: Environmental Science
Name: Treyvon Steinseifer – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: Gateway Technical College
Academic Program: Building Trades – Carpentry
St. Joseph Catholic Academy
Name: Noah Ormond – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Academic Program: Nursing – Pathway for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Name: Sincere Williams – Mahone Foundation CEO Scholarship
College: Upper Iowa University
Academic Program: Supply Chain Management
About the Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Foundation
The Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Foundation‘s mission is to provide educational opportunities for economically and academically deserving youth while supporting healthy lifestyle initiatives in communities of color.
