Lieutenant Kelli Ingardona Memorial Scholarship
Supporting students in the firefighting community.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Currently reside in Boone, Ogle, or Winnebago County.
- Be a member or a family member of a member of IAFF Local 413 Firefighters, or studying fire science or to be an EMT.
- Demonstrate financial need.
Specifications
Academic performance will be given high priority consideration in the selection process.
Recipients must be enrolled in a minimum of nine semester hours in the upcoming school year.
Written Prompt
Each CFNIL scholarship is created with a specific purpose in mind. As you complete the application, the system automatically matches you with every scholarship for which you are eligible and will present you with a specific written prompt for each. You're encouraged to craft a unique response to each prompt to show the reviewers why you're the best candidate for that scholarship.
Scholarship Background and Intent
Kelli Lynn Whelan Ingardona was born on March 13, 1965 in Rockford and died of breast cancer on April 12, 2010. She graduated from West High School in 1983 and married Frank Ingardona in Rockford on May 27, 1995. Kelly was a Rockford Firefighter for more than 20 years, beginning her career in 1989.
During her career, Kelli received two letters of commendation. In 1998, she rescued a victim from a burning building in Rockford. Kelli was the coordinator of the Physical Agility Program and served on the Physical Agility Test Development Commission. She became a paramedic on December 1, 1992 and a preceptor on June 27, 2001. She received her Firefighter III and her Fire Officer 1 certification. Kelli was a Driver Engineer and became a Lieutenant in 2009.
Kelli served as the Chairman of the Fire Fighter’s Picnic for eight years along with Jeff Poshka, and she was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church. She enjoyed spending time with her husband, two sons, step children and other family members. Learn more about Kelli.
Would you like to support the Lieutenant Kelli Ingardona Memorial Scholarship? You can make a donation directly to this fund, to help grow its impact and ability to provide educational resources for students in our community — forever!
