Purses with Purpose Reception
Empowering Women Through Education and Connection
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Launched in 2011, Purses with Purpose is a women’s giving circle that empowers community members to help women pursue education and self-improvement. Donors, guests, and scholarship recipients come together for educational and social events throughout the year, building a supportive network that celebrates generosity and growth.
Since its founding, the group has established an endowed scholarship fund and awarded scholarships to numerous women. Today, Purses with Purpose is the largest giving circle affiliated with the ECC Foundation.
In 2018, the Purses with Purpose Mentor Program was created to complement the scholarship, connecting students with mentors who share their wisdom, experience, and encouragement—relationships that quickly become meaningful and transformative.
The Elgin Community College Foundation and ECC students thank all individuals and organizations for their generous support. To learn more about the Purses with Purpose giving circle, please contact us at 847-214-7377 or email foundation@elgin.edu.
Scholarship Recipients
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Merna Sedrak - Architecture
Merna enjoys art and helping at her church. She is a returning scholar and works with various clubs and organizations. She recently returned from a study abroad trip in Costa Rica.
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Bri Garcia - Associate of Science
Bri loves playing soccer and spends most of her time at church. Bri volunteers at her church, helping with plays, fundraising events, and mass preparation. Her goal is to inspire young children and positively impact their lives.
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Maria Jaimes - Business
Maria is pursuing an Associate Degree in Business. She enjoys crafts and spending time with her daughter. She volunteers at Feed My Starving Children. Maria is a returning scholar and sincerely appreciates the help she has received from Purses with Purpose.
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Vera Wang - Elementary Education
Vera is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. She is employed full-time at ECC. Vera enjoys writing novels, photography, painting, making radio dramas and other creative hobbies. She currently has a published novel!
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Miriam "Mimi" Hernandez - Radiography
Miriam works part-time at Gail Borden Library. She is a returning scholar and really enjoys ceramics. She volunteers at various ECC Foundation events and will graduate in May 2026.
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Arizbeth Jurado Rodriguez - Accounting
Arizbeth is employed at Elegant Event Lighting. Arizbeth enjoys crafting, from making pinatas for her children’s birthdays to sewing clothes. She believes the Purses scholarship will really help her to continue her education and work toward her goal of becoming an accountant and getting her CPA.
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Katie Licona Colorado - Nursing
Katie is a returning scholar. She will complete the nursing requirements in May 2026. Katie is currently employed full-time at Back to Basics Pediatrics. Katie loves to read when time permits. She also works in the Student Life Office at Elgin Community College.
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Chianna McConahay – Biomedic Engineering
Chianna is pursuing a degree in Biomedic Engineering after she completes her education at ECC. She currently works at I Grow Dreams. Chianna loves animals and loves to write. Shehas done Tae-kwon-do, horseback riding, sled hockey, and special Olympic swimming.
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Alleigh “Maya” Wade – Associate of Arts
Maya is pursuing an Associate of Arts with a Video Production Certification in Spring 2027. She works part-time as a student worker in Art and Design at Elgin Community College. She loves basketball and most sports. Maya has a podcast and enjoys being close to water. She is currently President of Film Club. She strives to be the representation she didn’t have and to help others feel that they are seen, heard, and most importantly, valued.
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Gracelynn Katherine “Lynn” Stringini - Culinary Arts
Gracelynn is employed full-time at The James in Geneva. She enjoys cooking, fitness, drawing, and running. Gracelynn volunteers some summers to work at Young Life Camps, which is a Christian Youth Program. Last semester she won a cooking competition held at ECC.