Published on June 4, 2025 4:17 pm
Last Updated on June 4, 2025 4:19 pm
(NOON ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR NORMA LANSING, E-H-S ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT ISABELLA HARKINS-ALBIN, S-A-H-S ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT CALVIN SUDKAMP, AND NOON ROTARY CLUB PRESIDENT ANDREW KOESTER)
Calvin Sudkamp, a 2025 graduate of St. Anthony High School, and Isabella Harkins-Albin, a 2025 graduate of Effingham High School, are the 2025 recipients of the Effingham Noon Rotary Club’s Scholarship Award.
Calvin plans to attend Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He was a track and field athlete throughout high school, participated as a student faith group member all 4 years and was a state qualifier in the Academic Challenge for Engineering and Science for two years.. He was an Illinois State Scholar, member of National Honor Society and was on the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll throughout his high school years. In addition, Calvin assisted the school groundskeeper, participated in Catholic Heart Work Camp, volunteered at Community Support Systems and was a server at church. He works at Chipotle and has been a certified trainer and kitchen manager.
Calvin is the son of Joe and Carrie Sudkamp.
Harkins-Albin plans to attend Greenville University, studying secondary education for math and cheerleading.
Isabella was a football cheerleader for 4 years, a basketball cheerleader as a senior, was involved in theatre and choir for 4 years, a math tutor and Vice President of the Student Council as a senior. She was an Illinois State Scholar, member of the Society for Academic Achievement, a scholar athlete and a member of the EHS Academic Hall of Fame for 4 years. With a 4.0 grade point average, Isabella was a Valedictorian of her class.
In the community, Isabella has served as a cantor at Sacred Heart Church, taught 3rd graders at New Hope Church, volunteered at the Effingham High School Band Invitational and at Blessings in a Backpack.
Isabella’s parents are Greg and Dacia Albin.
The students were honored at the June 4 Effingham Noon Rotary Club meeting. Noon Rotary Club’s annual scholarship program began in 1989 and has awarded $63,000 in scholarships. The $1000.00 scholarships are offered to eligible college bound graduating students from the city’s two high schools.
The scholarship recipients are selected each year based upon the following criteria: scholastic ability; extra-curricular activities; community involvement; honors and awards; and an essay. For this year’s essay topic, students were asked to explain how this quote by Winston Churchill applies to their life: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”
