Six Urbana high school students to receive MLK scholarship award

Urbana senior Ziniera Edwards take a shot for the Tigers from the free throw line during the Turkey Tournament in St. Joseph last November. She and five other Urbana seniors were named King Scholars this week.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Urbana students Kiana Amindavar, Jamaica Dyer, Ziniera Edwards, Rema Salem, Jonathan Sanchez-Huanca and alternate Kevin Alvarado were named named recipients of the 37th Annual MLK Jr. "Living the Dream" Scholarships.

The six students and along with seniors from the Champaign and Rantoul Township, also known as King Scholars, will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to use at the college of their choice.

Scholarship winners are chosen based on their scholarship application, financial need, and a personal essay. Recipients can renew the award through four academic years as they pursue their undergraduate degrees.

The winners will be honored at The 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration, a free event open to the general public, on January 16 starting at 5pm at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to enter the Krannert Center.

The scholarship fund is underwritten through tax-deductible donations from individuals, churches, synagogues, and businesses who want to transform young lives through education and public service.

Jamaica Dyer was also this year's Willie Summerville Memorial Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Bringing a little heat, delicious Jalapeño-Bacon popcorn

Photo: Popcorn Board

Ingredients

8 cups popped popcorn, hot

4 slices bacon, chopped

2 tablespoons butter

2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Heat skillet over medium-low heat; cook bacon for 5 to 8 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Wipe pan with paper towel.
2. Add butter, jalapeños and salt to pan; cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 inutes or until jalapeños are very tender.
3. In large bowl, toss together hot popped popcorn, bacon, jalapeños, and Parmesan, if using.

Tips:

1. Substitute butter with olive oil or a small amount of the bacon fat
2. Omit 1 jalapeño pepper for less spice.

Deadline to apply for the Illinois Rental Payment Program this Sunday

The application portal for The Illinois Rental Payment Program will close this Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 11:59pm. Applicants are eligible to up to $25,000 in emergency funding. Renters may also receive 18 months of emergency rental payments.

The progam is limited and the IHDA plans to distribute available funds to households who have been unemployed for more than 90 days and individuals earning less than 50% of their area median income. If you have experienced a financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to the pandemic, you may be eligible for relief. Both renters and landlords may apply for available funds.

"Additional application periods may be announced in 2022," according to the IDHS website. "Please check IllinoisHousingHelp.org for future program announcements."

For more information on the Illinois Rental Payment Program, email ILRPP@IHDA.ORG or call (866) 454-3571.