Congratulations to Dirksen Junior High School students (from left to right) Michael Smith and
Jaqueline Munoz Carranza who received the annual Charles A. Kransberger Memorial Scholarship
Awards. The Joliet Grade Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence presented a $250 check to
both students during the Dirksen Junior High School Eighth Grade Graduation Ceremony.
Both students exceled academically while students at Dirksen Junior High. In addition, Jaqueline was
a member of the school’s student council, junior beta club, and school orchestra while Michael was
active on the cross-country and wrestling teams. Michael was also involved in the junior beta club
and participated in the Joliet West High School Mu Alpha Theta Mid High Math Competition.
The Charles A. Kransberger Memorial Scholarship Award was established in memory of Charles
Kransberger who spent his entire 30-year professional career serving children in Joliet Public Schools
District 86. The annual awards recognize students who have worked hard at school and hopes to
encourage them to continue their strong commitment to academics. The Joliet Grade Schools
Foundation for Educational Excellence provides grants to Joliet Public Schools District 86 employees
for programs that enhance and enrich educational opportunities for students. Since 2003, the
Foundation has awarded 366 classroom grants totaling over $400,000 to benefit District 86 students.