Plainfield East Senior Named Golden Apple Scholar

Plainfield East High School senior Jamal Bruce is one of 175 students statewide named a 2014 Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois. 

Bruce was chosen from over 1,600 nominations received for the prestigious program designed to help future teachers.

The Golden Apple Scholar program provides tuition assistance to each Scholar while they pursue an undergraduate education at a designated state university.

More important, the Scholars also participate in a series of summer teaching institutes before they start student teaching. Golden Apple award-winning educators lead the summer institutes.

Bruce’s counselor, Maria Hernandez recommended him for the Golden Apple program. Among other requirements, the program’s main criteria is “the nominee’s passion to be a teacher in a school of higher need as identified by the federal government,” said Golden Apple Scholar Director Jim Sorenson.

“We sort of accelerate that passion and spark, by allowing our Scholars to be taught by excellent, accomplished teachers who are familiar with schools of need,” Sorenson said.

“At the very end, we have this incredibly prepared young person who is ready to conquer the world and can address any issues that come his way,” Sorenson said.

Bruce has wanted to be a teacher since first or second grade, he said. He plans to attend Illinois State University and major in elementary education, with a possible double major in early childhood education. 

“Just watching my teachers, it seemed really interesting, and it seemed really cool to me to be in a position to be able to help someone else,” Bruce said. “If I can be someone that can be that positive influence to a child in the future, that would be my dream.”

Bruce is already studying early childhood education through the Wilco Career Cooperative, where he works daily with preschoolers. “It’s so nice to hear what they think, and to learn how to be role models for them,” he said.

PEHS Principal Tony Manville praised Bruce as a hard working student who pushes himself to maximize his potential.

“We are very proud that he is representing the Bengal community with integrity and high academic standards,” Manville said.