Two seniors at Salem Community High School have been awarded scholarships through Salem Elks Lodge #1678.
Finley Puricelli received the Salem Elks/Wes Villalobos Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. This is the third year for the scholarship which was established by the Villalobos family in memory of their son Wes. Chosen from 11 outstanding Teen of the Month recipients, Finley has also earned the $1,000 Teen of the Year scholarship. Finley is the daughter of Micah and Kacey Puricelli of Salem. While in high school, Finley has been active in National Honor Society, Student Council, Peer Helpers, FCA, track, and volleyball. She will be attending Murray State University in the fall with plans to attend medical school in the future.
The other scholarship recipient, Eli LoGrasso, will be attending Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville and shares the same plan to attend medical school in the future. The son of Jessica Teriet of Salem, Eli was one of 500 students nationwide to be awarded the Most Valuable Student scholarship through the Elks National Foundation. Eli will receive $1,000 for each of four years of college for a total of $4,000 from the ENF. A two-sport athlete in golf and baseball, Eli has been a member of National Honor Society, Peer Helpers, and FCA.
The Salem Elks proudly recognize and support these outstanding seniors as they continue their educational journeys and work toward bright futures.
The other monthly winners of the SCHS Student of the Month for the 2025-26 school year are:
September: Finley Puricelli and Kinsey Jarrett
October: Ella Smith and Mack Thorsen
November: Zoey Heiple and Kyler Sapp
December: Atiana Pitty and Madison Keserauskis
January: Jordan Kessler and Mallory Hopkins
February: Carter Lowe
