St. Elmo's Peyton Garrard Scholarship Recipient

Peyton Garrard, St. Elmo High School

Carson Bahrey, Somonauk High School

Kadin Borck, McHenry High School

 Brianna Brodie, Princeville High School

 Mekhi Byrd, Rockford East High School

 Jack DeFilippis, Maine South High School

 Connor Diiulio, Rock Island High School

 Amayah Doyle, Carterville High School

 Chase Fink, Mt. Zion High School

 Madison Florzak, Deerfield High School

 Ariana Palella, Lincoln-Way West High School

 Jayce Privia, A-C Central High School

 Anahi Kristal Reynoso, CICS Northtown Academy

 Isaac Walters, Gallatin County High School

Each of the 14 winners are currently seniors at IHSA member high schools and will receive a $1,000 scholarship towards their future education. To be eligible for the scholarship, the candidates must be seniors at IHSA schools who plan to:

A) Major in Education in college (or)

B) Intend to get involved in the coaching profession after high school (or)

C) Are currently licensed and actively working as an IHSA official.

“The goal of the IHSAF is to support the mission of the IHSA, and that mission cannot be achieved without the next generation of educators, coaches, and officials,” said Dr. Robert Nolting, the Superintendent of District 230 and President of the IHSAF Board of Directors. “We are incredibly proud to be able to present scholarships to these 14 deserving young people who will positively impact high school students in the near future, as well as those already making a difference as licensed IHSA officials.”

In 2024, the IHSAF began accepting public donations to help support its scholarship program, as the second class of recipients will have their scholarships funded in part by the family and friends of Ron McGraw and Mike Nissen. McGraw, who passed away in 2023, was a lifelong educator who concluded his career as an administrator at the IHSA. Nissen is a retired high school teacher and golf coach, who has coached in or worked at every IHSA Boys Golf State Final Tournament since 1965.

“The family and friends of two special individuals, Ron McGraw and Mike Nisen, were seeking ways to honor their respective legacies of giving back to high school students in Illinois,” said Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Assistant Executive Director Tracie Henry, who serves on the IHSAF Board. “We hear so many touching stories about teachers and coaches who have made everlasting impacts on students, or from the families and friends of officials who speak about their passion for officiating. We recognize that the IHSAF Scholarship Program is a good avenue to honor an individual’s legacy, while helping support the next generation following their path.”

Ron served as an IHSA Assistant Executive Director from 2004 to 2016 after a lengthy career as a high school teacher, coach, and administrator. A tireless educator who dedicated his professional life to helping students in Illinois, Ron passed away on October 13, 2023, at the age of 66 following a courageous battle with cancer.

“After his family and friends, one of the great passions in Ron’s life was supporting young people,” said Dr. Marty Hickman, a current IHSAF Board member who served as the IHSA’s Executive Director from 2002 to 2016. “He truly believed in the mission of the IHSA and that participating in sports and activities positively impacted young people for the rest of their lives. The support from Ron’s wife Rosemary, his daughter Mallory, his son Mike, their extended families, and his many friends, is an incredible tribute to Ron and helps carry on his legacy of service. It is very special to know that he is still positively impacting Illinois students.”

The Nisen family’s support for the scholarship program adds another chapter to the living legacy of Mike Nisen. Affectionately known as “Big Bird” due to the bright yellow rain suit he annually dons on his 6-6 frame at the IHSA Boys Golf State Finals, Mike has attended the state tourney every year since 1965 as a coach or worker. Mike was a high school teacher and golf coach for over 30 years, with his career spanning time at Prospect High School (1965-1971) and Rolling Meadows High School (1971-2000). Despite retiring to Arizona, Mike makes the trip to The Den At Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington every October to be a part of the state tournament management team, where he announces players they tee off, serves as a scorekeeper, and helps with anything else that needs to be done around the course.

“When it comes to Mike Nisen, first and foremost, his legacy is the countless young people that he positively impacted as a teacher and coach,” said IHSA Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson, who administers boys golf. “However, his passion for high school golf and being a part of the IHSA Golf State Finals is a close second. Mike exudes an excitement for the sport and state tourney that truly is contagious. He loves interacting with the players and holds the event in such reverence, that he makes it feel bigger and more special for everyone involved. Big Bird is one in a million and we feel lucky to be associated with a man of such high integrity and character.”