We’re pleased to announce that the judging is complete and we’ve awarded the final THINK [about architecture] scholarships. This year, we offered the scholarship at 32 schools. Students were asked to explain how (where) they learned this year and how the architecture of their environment affected learning.

The first-place scholarship ($1,000) was presented to Chicago Heights resident Anthony Reynoso. Anthony walked us through how Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s TV & radio broadcasting labs have given him hands-on learning and experience. He showed how these spaces facilitate collaboration with peers; he even involved them in his scholarship video.

The $500 runner-up scholarship was presented to Gracie Jean Botts of Mendota. Gracie shared how Mendota High School has inspired her love of theater and fine arts. She went the extra mile by conducting peer surveys.

Recipients of the $500 School Level Scholarship include:

• Kalyani Manjunadh (Hoffman Estates), graduate of Barrington High School (School District 220)
• Alexa Orozco (Hoffman Estates), graduate of Elgin High School (School District U46)
• Anthony Reynoso (Chicago Heights), graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor HS (School Dist. 233)
• William Petropoulos (Lake Zurich), graduate of Lake Zurich High School (School District 95)
• Luke Rupert (Lemont), graduate of Lemont High School (School District 210)
• Evelyn Siedlarczyk (Homer Glen), graduate of Lockport Township High School (School District 205)
• Hannah Briscoe (LaGrange), graduate of Lyons Twp. High School (School District 204)
• Gracie Jean Botts (Mendota), graduate of Mendota High School (School District 280)
• Elsie Ruiz (Joliet), graduate of Minooka Community High School (School District 111)
• Kasey Thompson (Oak Lawn), graduate of Oak Lawn Community High School (School District 111)
• Emily Rog (Plainfield), graduate of Romeoville High School (School District 365U)
• Ian Roberts (South Elgin), graduate of South Elgin High School (School District U-46)
• Maddyn Flores (Hoffman Estates), graduate of Streamwood High School (School District U-46)

This year we also had 2 honorable mentions that received a $250 award; these include:

• Leah Stamberger (LaMoille), graduate of Mendota High School (School District 280)
• Gabriella E Lewis (Mendota), graduate of Mendota High School (School District 280)

The criteria used by the judges to score the videos:

• Does the student express how they interact with the space(s)?
• Does the student express how that interaction affected their education/ability to learn?
• Does the student express how the space makes it possible to make connections to their teachers or classmates for things such as group or teamwork?
• Does the student discuss their personal experience with the space(s) or demonstrate the role that the architecture plays in their lives?
• Does the student point out any particular architectural or sustainable design aspects that show they thought about the architecture of the space?
• Does the student do a good job of focusing their discussion and adequately discussing the space(s)?
• Does the submission demonstrate creativity and/or ingenuity?
• Does the submission demonstrate originality and/or uniqueness?
• Does the student demonstrate an understanding of the built environment and how people interact with it?
• Based on the view count/ratings, did the student promote their submission well?