Kevin Johnson is Thoms Family Above and Beyond Winner

The Thoms Family Above & Beyond Scholarship announced Kevin Johnson as the grand scholarship winner at a reception for the finalists at Rock Island High School on Tuesday, January 12, before the Board of Education meeting.

Kevin’s project, "Treats for Trinity Pediatrics," centered around raising money for much needed sensory toys for newborns and infants at Trinity’s Pediatric Unit. His passion for the project is based on his own experience with congenital heart defects that demanded weeks of time in the hospital during his infancy and throughout his life. Kevin explains, “Knowing that the combination of boredom and worry was one of the more excruciating experiences of a hospital stay, I wondered what our local hospitals had for pediatric patients to pass the time and provide them comfort.”

Kevin successfully provided the hospital with various toys and aids for the Pediatric Unit with excess money donated to the unit. It was not without challenge and scholarship founder Stuart Thoms stated, “From beginning to end Kevin demonstrated goal setting, networking, public relations and problem solving I rarely see in most corporate managers. This young man will go far.”

The owner of the local business that Kevin works part-time, stated, “Late last fall my husband had a heart attack…... (we) had several conversations about his heart history and what my husband was going through. Kevin helped me through a difficult time. As a high school senior he showed maturity beyond his years.”

Jerraco Johnson was awarded the first runner up position, and issued $2,500 scholarship for his project “Academics and Athletes." He worked on his project at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and matched up Rocky Athletes with grade school students. The athletes mentored the students, focusing on grades and the importance of school in addition to participating in athletics. “After witnessing such effort and desire to improve his immediate community, we felt Jerraco deserved a special runner up scholarship," said Thoms.

Michael Wieland also received a $500 scholarship for his project "Redistribution of useful equipment." Michael's goal was to collect unwanted baseball equipment and distribute the items to Rock Island Little league baseball program with the goal of providing all young athletes with access to quality gear.

The Thoms Family Foundation created the scholarship in 2003 to encourage and reward the leadership and entrepreneurial spirit of Rock Island High School (RIHS) students. Any RIHS student, regardless of race, economic status or academic standing, may submit a proposal the spring of their junior year on an original project of their choosing. Potential topics for proposals could explore business/entrepreneurship, conservation, technology, community service, or politics. For more information on these scholarships and the Thoms Family Foundation please contact Thomas W. Thoms at 309-269-0398.

Pictured: Kevin Johnson, Michael Wieland, Jerraco Johnson