Deerfield High Student Named Scholarship Winner: IHSA

DEERFIELD, IL — Madison Florzak, of Deerfield High School, was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the Illinois High School Activities Foundation, one of just 14 students named for the honor in the state. Florzak, who plays softball at DHS, is part of the second class to receive the scholarship.

According to the Illinois High School Association, winners of the award plan to major in education in college, or intend to get involved in the coaching profession after high school, or are currently licensed and actively working as an IHSA official.

"The goal of the IHSAF is to support the mission of the IHSA, and that mission cannot be achieved without the next generation of educators, coaches, and officials," said Dr. Robert Nolting, superintendent of District 230 and president of the IHSAF Board of Directors. "We are incredibly proud to be able to present scholarships to these 14 deserving young people who will positively impact high school students in the near future, as well as those already making a difference as licensed IHSA officials."

This year, the IHSAF began accepting public donations to help support its scholarship program, as the second class of recipients will have their scholarships funded in part by the family and friends of Ron McGraw and Mike Nissen. McGraw, who passed away in 2023, was a lifelong educator who concluded his career as an administrator at the IHSA. Nissen is a retired high school teacher and golf coach, who has coached in or worked at every IHSA Boys Golf State Final Tournament since 1965.