FAITH ON THE FAIRWAY GOLF OUTING
Adapted from article posted on Patch.com
Close to 60 golfers teed up in a shotgun start at the 5th annual Faith on the Fairway event, and by early afternoon $67,369 had been raised to send North Chicago Community High School (NCCHS) students to the College of Lake County (CLC) on full ride scholarships. Saturday’s golfers got to witness firsthand the enthusiasm of students who have been blessed by the scholarships. Nine recent high school graduates, now in classes at CLC, were on hand to greet golfers and volunteer in various capacities.
At the 11th hole, one group of young women visited with Stan Pasiewicz, a 1970 alumnus of North Chicago. They shared their hopes for the future with Pasiewicz. Edith S., studying psychology, acknowledged that she was in for a long course of study in order to qualify for a career in her field, Yasmin F. is pursuing a nursing degree, Melany M. wants to be an accountant, Melani M. has begun her training as a dental hygienist and Diana V. is taking early childhood education curriculum. Pasiewicz shared how he raised his family in North Chicago and encouraged the girls to do the same when they reach that point in life.
Among the golfers was Kristen Skinner, Lieutenant Commander, Retired, who served in the U.S. Navy as a trauma and flight nurse. Skinner and her friend, Jenny Tobin, were in the first group to take on Pastor Jim in the Pastor’s Best Ball competition. As a return golfer, Skinner is appreciated by the North Chicago Public Education Foundation (NCPEF). Executive Director Tracey Horwich explained how Skinner, a member of Faith, has taken time to meet with scholarship students seeking a career in nursing. She has invited the young people to visit her at her workplace, the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, and introduced them to coworkers in various medical specialties.
Upon arrival, many of the students sought out Mary Kenney, Director of Student Success at the NCPEF. It was clear that the young people look up to her, and that Kenney enjoys working with them, providing support through their academic journey.
“Faith on the Fairway is really what drew me to the foundation,” said Kenney, explaining how the golf event fostered “the desire to work with this program – to benefit the students. The relationship with Pastor Jim and the members at Faith – it’s amazing how many of them really care about the students and their stories.” Horwich and Kenney both spoke of the joy in seeing the personal transformation in the students they’ve worked alongside, watching as they are becoming adults and taking concrete steps to achieving their vision for life.
Cooperation with the scholarship program by College of Lake County has been integral to its success. Vice Chairman of the Board, Dr. William Griffin, has been instrumental in making that happen. Griffin, as in previous years, was on hand to golf and support the event. This year, however, for the first time, Dr. Lori Suddick, President of the College of Lake County, came to address the Faith on the Fairway participants. She expressed appreciation for the support of the scholarships and shared about some of the many new initiatives at the college.
“It was a wonderful, exhilarating day,” declared Pastor Jim Buckman, noting that the $67K+ proceeds from the 2025 event amounted to the top funding raised by the single event over its five-year existence.