Nominations

Know someone who belongs on the wall?

The Hall of Fame recognizes excellence in academics, fine arts, athletics or general distinguished achievement, during high school, after it, or both. Nominees can be individuals or groups, and need not have attended OTHS.

1. Submit by July 31 for consideration the following year.
2. Include the details. Awards, recognitions and achievements help the committee give your nominee full consideration.
3. Nominations carry forward. Every submission is kept and reconsidered in future years.

Selection procedurePrintable form

Who can apply

Seniors who will enroll at a four-year college or university.

How the award works

1. Apply by the April deadline of your graduation year. Your two recommenders are emailed automatically when you submit. The exact 2027 date will be announced. Applications are submitted online using the form below.
2. Selection in April. The Foundation board chooses up to four students at its April meeting. Recipients are announced at Honors Night.
3. Freshman year. Send proof of admission, confirmation of enrollment and costs at your four-year school to receive your first $2,500.
4. Each following year. Send your transcript and proof of continued enrollment and costs, and keep at least a 2.5 GPA, to receive the next $2,500.

If you transfer, the scholarship can continue as long as you meet the same requirements at another four-year school. Not meeting any of the requirements can end the scholarship.

Since 1998

The Courtyard Project began in the summer of 1998 to give the Foundation a visible, ongoing source of funding and to build an endowment for the future. Unclaimed statues can be memorialized with a personalized inscription plaque, and new installations can be arranged with the board.

Email the Foundation

Teacher Grants

Classroom needs beyond the budget

Each fall, teachers and staff apply for educational materials and supplies not covered by their yearly budget. The Foundation reviews every request and funds most of them, working with the school board to cover as many as possible.

The Foundation also gives $7,250 a year in club and activity grants.

granted since 2012, including club and activity grants and four large projects: the $33,182 school wifi and network upgrade (2013), the $16,313 auditorium lighting board system (2023), the $14,215 Kingman Gym sound system (2024) and the $16,500 automotive alignment machine (2026)

Grants awarded by year

Teacher grantsClub & activity grants ($7,250 a year)

Each year’s teacher grants are for the school year that ends that spring (for example, 2018 is the 2017-18 school year). The grand total also includes four large projects: the $33,181.79 upgrade of the school’s wifi system and network routing capacity (2013), the $16,313.30 auditorium lighting board system (2023), the $14,215 Kingman Gym sound system upgrade (approved October 2024) and the $16,500 automotive alignment machine (2026).

About the Foundation

Educators are innovators.

The OTHS Educational Foundation is made up of local community volunteers, independent of but working with the OTHS board to improve opportunities for students.

Established in 1993, the Ottawa Township High School District 140 Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit private foundation that secures and channels private funds to support and promote the educational programs and activities of OTHS students.

Through generous donations, the Foundation provides grants to purchase new equipment, promote innovative teaching initiatives, offer scholarships and student recognition incentives, and augment scholastic resources beyond the fiscal constraints of the school’s normal operations. The Foundation has provided more than $500,000 in such grants and other support since its inception, with more than $350,000 provided since 2012.

In addition to ensuring our students are exposed to the most relevant and ever-changing technology and other educational resources, the Foundation is responsible for the Courtyard Project outside Kingman Gymnasium, the Hall of Fame, the Pirate Pride Scholarship program, club and activity grants, and Student of the Month, among a number of other initiatives. Our hope is that, through additional contributions and growth, the Foundation can continue making an impact on OTHS and the district’s students.

Community members also fund endowments and Pirate Pride scholarships through the Foundation. Guidelines govern how each gift is received and used, and the treasurer will talk through the details with you personally.

Why a foundation

Why a public school needs private support

One might ask why a public entity such as Ottawa Township High School needs assistance from a private foundation independent of the high school itself. The fact is that Illinois ranks relatively low among states in direct funding for its schools. Yet, most of the more than two million students who currently attend Illinois public schools will stay to live and work in Illinois throughout their adult lives. This demographic reality will affect the economic vitality, future growth and development, and quality of life we all share.

We believe that supporting educational excellence not only enriches the lives of today’s students but also strengthens our communities and our collective future.

Why a Hall of Fame

A standard of excellence to inspire

The Foundation established the Hall of Fame to inspire and acknowledge excellence in achievement, whether academic, in the fine arts, in athletics, or in other distinguished areas. In highlighting the accomplishments of inductees, we believe that current students will be inspired by the standard of excellence and accomplishment achieved by their predecessors. This will help foster a culture of excellence and achievement.

Meet the inductees →

Contact us

The OTHS Educational Foundation
Ottawa Township High School
211 East Main Street
Ottawa, IL 61350

Email: othseducation@gmail.com