Craig Butler, a senior member of the National Honor Society at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, has been named a 2020 Posse Foundation Scholar (www.possefoundation.org/). He will receive a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Wisconsin - Madison, which is one of nearly 60 schools that collaborates with the Posse program.

“It’s crazy. I thought it was a dream,” admits Butler, who commutes to Fenwick from Bellwood, IL. “I was going home after school when I got the phone call from Posse,” the 17-year-old says. “I was somewhat surprised because I know only about 10 students from Chicago get it.”

The first call Butler made to share the news was to his mother. “She knows my personality and how I work well with others," he reports. "She’s always so optimistic.”

The second call Butler made was to Mr. Daryl Richardson, his mentor at LINK Unlimited Scholars, who nominated him for the scholarship. Fenwick Class of 2020 Counselor Emily Anderson praises, “Craig is an incredibly determined, hard-working and deserving individual. He will be among the first in his family to attend college, and I have no doubt he will prove himself to be a grateful recipient of the Posse Scholarship.”

After applying, Butler progressed through an intense, three-stage interviewing process, explains Ms. Anderson. The speedy Butler runs track for the Friars, making All-Catholic League in the long jump his first year. He tried out for the football team as a senior this past fall. A versatile student-athlete, Butler also is a member of the Fenwick chess and bowling teams as well as the National Honor Society (NHS) and Black Student Union.

“Craig has volunteered his time every Tuesday morning to Friar Mentors, providing tutoring for those who need help in Spanish,” Anderson notes

For more information, www.fenwickfriars.com/senior-craig-butler-receives-prestigious-recognition-as-a-posse-foundation-scholar/