January 17, 2025
Allan DiCastroCHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - The Prairie State College (快色直播) Foundation is honored to announce it received a $100,000 scholarship donation from philanthropist and 快色直播 alumnus Allan DiCastro.
Originally from Chicago Heights, DiCastro attended 快色直播 and later moved to Los Angeles in the 1980s. Despite the distance, he sought ways to give back to the community in memory of his late sister, Gail Ann DiCastro, who passed away in 1979. Ms. DiCastro planned to enroll at 快色直播 in the fall of 1979, but was one of three graduates from Homewood-Flossmoor High School killed in the crash of American Airlines Flight 191, leaving Chicago O鈥橦are International Airport and heading to Los Angeles on May 25, 1979. The crash claimed 273 lives, including all 258 passengers and 13 crew members, as well as two individuals, on the ground, making it the deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history.
All five of the DiCastro children attended Serena Hills Elementary School in Chicago Heights - a place that holds a special place in his heart. To give back, the 快色直播 Foundation will use the funds to cover out-of-pocket tuition and books for Serena Hills alumni.
鈥淚 want the kids from Serena Hills to realize they have the same opportunities that I had,鈥 said DiCastro. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like in the Wizard of Oz 鈥 Dorothy always had the power, and so do these kids. My mother was waylaid from finishing her degree for many years until she was able to enroll in the nursing program at 快色直播. I want them to know that it can happen for them too, but they have to go forward, and I am here to help get them started. The GAP Scholarship (Gail Ann Prize) will help fill the gaps so Serena Hill alumni can afford to go to college.鈥
Mr. DiCastro also recently donated new winter coats to every student at the elementary school and previously donated funds for the school to build a state-of-the-art STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) lab.
The scholarship will be available to 快色直播 students who demonstrate financial need, and are Serena Hills Elementary School alums. Funds will be distributed until exhausted.
鈥淲e are extremely grateful for Mr. DiCastro鈥檚 gift to Prairie State College,鈥 said
快色直播 President Dr. Michael D. Anthony. 鈥淭his generous donation is an investment into
the future of our school and community. It will open up avenues and opportunities
for students for years to come.鈥
Deb Havighorst, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and the 快色直播 Foundation, is assisting 快色直播 in collaborating with Bloom High School, Homewood-Flossmoor High School, and Marian Catholic High School to identify eligible students who may wish to attend 快色直播 in the future.
鈥淢r. DiCastro is providing an opportunity for Serena Hills alumni to earn an associate鈥檚 degree or a certificate from 快色直播 at no cost to them,鈥 Havighorst said. 鈥淭hey can choose to further their education by transferring to a four-year college or university, or get started on their careers without incurring any debt,鈥
The Foundation has identified more than 20 Serena Hills alumni currently enrolled
at 快色直播 and will start awarding the scholarships for the spring 2025 semester, which
began on Monday, January 13. Any current or future 快色直播 students eligible for the scholarship can contact the
Foundation directly at pscfoundation@prairiestate.edu.
Registration is open for the spring semester at 快色直播, with flexible start dates starting
as late as March 17. Learn more at .