On Monday, May 9, 2023, the Glacier Ridge PTA named Elena Cangelosi, a senior at Crystal Lake South, the 2023 recipient of the Glacier Ridge Elementary PTA Scholarship.  

The PTA created the $1,000 scholarship to provide financial assistance to former Glacier Ridge students to further their education after high school, whether they attend a four-year college, junior college, or technical school. To be eligible, applicants must have attended at least one full year of school at Glacier Ridge and be a graduate of a District 155 high school with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

While at Crystal Lake South High School, Cangelosi served as captain of the varsity tennis team, outreach director for the Women in STEM club, and chemistry captain of the Academic Challenge for Engineer and Science. She was also a member of the Gator Leadership Crew, National Honor Society, Math Team and Theatre. 

Cangelosi will attend the University of Michigan in the fall to begin her college career. She plans to study neuroscience and hopes to work on developing neurotechnology to reduce motor and cognitive loss in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.

“This scholarship means the world to me,” said Cangelosi. “Glacier Ridge played such a significant role in my growing up. Throughout the years I’ve run into former teachers and each one of them has been enthusiastic and excited to reconnect. I am so honored to have been chosen for this scholarship, and I know that no matter where I go in life Glacier Ridge will be there to support me. I am proud to be a Polar Bear!”