TWO SAINT PATRICK SENIORS NAMED CHICK EVANS SCHOLARS
December 16, 2021
Saint Patrick High School is proud to announce that two seniors, John Castro and Jack Doelger, have received full tuition and housing scholarships through the Western Golf Association’s Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship.
John Castro ‘22, who attended Our Lady of Grace, is currently a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Jazz Band, Lasallian Youth and Liturgy Team at Saint Patrick High School.
“The Chick Evans Scholarship is giving me the chance to be the first person in my family to go to college at one of the biggest universities the scholarship offers,” Castro says. “It will relieve a huge financial burden for my family who is currently paying for a Catholic education for my brother and I.”
John is grateful for the help and support he has received from the faculty and staff at St. Pat’s, especially Dr. Joe Schmidt, as well as his Big Shoulders mentor, Gerri Cicchinelli, who introduced him to the Evans Scholarship when he was in 8th grade.
In addition to Dr. Schmidt and Gerri Cicchinelli, John says Board Chairman Mick O’Rourke ‘86 and former Shamrock parent Brad Schotanus have played a huge part in helping him earn the scholarship.
John plans to major in Political Science at The University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or University of Wisconsin-Madison next fall.
Jack Doelger ‘22, who attended St. Juliana School, says “Saint Patrick High School and Ridgemoor Country Club have introduced me to new people and new experiences that have helped me get to where I am today.”
Doelger is a four-year football and basketball player, a freshman mentor and a member of the Art Club, Lasallian Youth, Letterman Club, and the Chicago Archdiocese’s Racial Equity and Justice program.
Jack has had a large support system throughout his high school career including his mother Jennifer Sloan, Dr. Schmidt, Rick Wilkens ‘82, Mr. O’Rourke, Jacob Gregory ’13, Coach Bailey and Coach Guerra. Jack says that with their support, he has been given the opportunity to “fulfill my dream of attending a big university without the financial burden.”
Doelger explained that one of the main reasons he chose St. Pat’s was because of “the brotherhood and family-like atmosphere” he experienced when visiting the school and he’s excited that the scholarship will allow him to “join a new family with the Evans community.”
Jack plans to study Journalism/Communications at the University of Kansas, Indiana University, Marquette University or University of Missouri next fall.
The scholarships – renewable for up to four years – are awarded to high school seniors who have a strong caddie record, excellent grades, outstanding character and demonstrated financial need. The scholarships are offered at 21 top universities across the country and worth up to $150,000 – $200,000 over four years.
With the addition of the two Shamrocks to the Evans family, the school has had a total of 106 students earn the prestigious scholarship. Currently, 16 Saint Patrick graduates are receiving a tuition-free education as Evans Scholars.
