Maine West High School Graduate Wins $8,000 College Scholarship 

BOSTON — Jeffrey M. Wolf, a 2006 graduate of Maine West High School in Des Plaines, Ill., is one of four individuals awarded an $8,000 Robert G. Porter scholarship by the American Federation of Teachers. This scholarship goes to outstanding high school seniors who are dependants of AFT members.

The award, which has been presented since 1992, is given to recipients who have demonstrated exceptional service to their community and plan to pursue a career in labor, education, health or government service. The AFT will present the awards on July 23 during the union’s biennial national convention in Boston.

Wolf, 18, volunteered as a Special Olympics basketball referee, worked as a second- and third- grade basketball camp instructor for the Des Plaines Park District, and raised funds for the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation. 

Wolf noted that “by simply reaching out and leaving a lasting impression on one or two people, you can make a worthwhile difference.”

The Porter Scholars program is named in honor of the AFT’s late secretary-treasurer, Robert G. Porter, who served in that position for 28 years and was known for his commitment to improving the quality of public education and public service.

Wolf’s father, Gary J. Wolf, is a member of the West Suburban Teachers Union in Westmont, Ill.

Jeffrey Wolf lives in Des Plaines, Ill., and will be attending Marquette University in the fall, where he plans to study communications.

Since its inception, the Porter Scholars program has awarded a total of $480,000 in scholarship funds.

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