Kenosha Foundation Awards $100K+ in College Scholarships

More than 100 high school students from Kenosha and Racine will receive life-changing college scholarships at a gala that's been transforming futures for 26 years.

The Reaching for Rainbows "Pursuit of Excellence" Scholarship Gala takes place May 8 at Carthage College in Kenosha. Students from a dozen area high schools applied for scholarships, with some receiving full-tuition awards from partner universities Carthage College and Herzing University.

The scholarship program honors Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone, who believed education unlocks opportunity. Their son Tim Mahone now chairs the foundation and sees their vision alive in every student helped.

"More than a quarter century of Reaching for Rainbows is a testament to the vision and inspiration of my parents," Mahone said. "The entire Mahone family takes great pride in how scholarship recipients contribute and give back in their communities."

The scholarships specifically target first-generation college students and youth from low to moderate-income families. Recipients participate in the Career Exploration Organization (CEO) program, which pairs them with academic and business advisors to develop career pathways.

Major sponsors Snap-on Incorporated and Bear Real Estate Group don't just provide funding. They help create job opportunities for scholarship recipients, turning educational support into real career launches.

"We proudly support the Mahone Foundation Reaching for Rainbows event because we see the difference it makes in the lives of students who then become contributors in our society," said S.R. Mills, Bear Real Estate Group CEO.

The Ripple Effect

The gala's impact extends far beyond graduation day. Scholarship recipients between ages 14 and 24 receive ongoing mentoring in STEM education, employment skills, and life development.

Many graduates return to Kenosha and Racine as community leaders themselves. The foundation also hosts summer music festivals and college resource fairs, weaving educational opportunity throughout the region.

Tickets for the May 8 event cost $80, with proceeds supporting the mentoring program. The evening includes a reception at 5 p.m., dinner, and the awards ceremony at Carthage's Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center.

A quarter-century of scholarships proves what happens when a community invests in its young people: they invest right back.