Sara J. Ingrassia Memorial/Sinnissippi Illinois Chapter Scholarship Fund
The Sara J. Ingrassia Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student from the Sinnissippi chapter's service area in and near Rockford, Illinois, who is planning to pursue a teaching career. The recipient is selected by the Sinnissippi chapter of PDK.
Upon Sara Ingrassia's death in 1994, her family and friends established this scholarship fund through the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation. This scholarship perpetuates the memories of all the love, enthusiasm, and uniqueness that Sara Ingrassia provided, not only to her friends, but to education as a profession.
Education, people, and the arts all played a big part in Sara's life. As a teacher of many—elementary through college and a mother of five—she always believed that the arts provided a special forum for people to explore or become involved enough to lose their inhibitions and look at/show their inner selves. Teaching students to be themselves was a unique skill taught and nurtured by Mrs. Ingrassia.
First teaching in a junior high school setting, Sara moved eventually into elementary and then high school. College teaching in the education department also provided another broad spectrum where Sara would offer her skills, support, and enthusiasm.
After having taught at each level, Sara was elected to the school board. She used her knowledge of the educational process to provide fair and equitable learning experiences for all children.
Always involved/immersed in many activities, Sara was the first female president of the Sinnissippi Illinois chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, also serving over the years as historian, newsletter editor, vice president for programs, and vice president for membership. She co-authored a Phi Delta Kappa Fastback, Teacher Fairs: Counterpoint to Criticism.
She was president of the Rockford Area Arts Council after serving for some years on their education committee.
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