About CNF Scholarships
The Carlin Nalley Foundation awards annual scholarships to outstanding Lisle High School seniors who demonstrate excellence in athletics, academics, the arts, science, business, and community leadership. Founded in 2005 by alumnus Kurt Grutzmacher to honor legendary educator and coach Carlin Nalley, CNF has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships across more than 20 years — powered almost entirely by loyal Lisle alumni.
Each spring, we present up to 10 scholarships of $5,000 each at Lisle High School's Honors Night and Athletic Banquet, recognizing the next generation of Lions as they continue their education beyond Lisle.
The Carlin Nalley Foundation awards annual scholarships to outstanding Lisle High School seniors who demonstrate excellence in athletics, academics, the arts, science, business, and community leadership. Founded in 2005 by alumnus Kurt Grutzmacher to honor legendary educator and coach Carlin Nalley, CNF has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships across more than 20 years — powered almost entirely by loyal Lisle alumni.
Each spring, we present up to 10 scholarships of $5,000 each at Lisle High School's Honors Night and Athletic Banquet, recognizing the next generation of Lions as they continue their education beyond Lisle.
How to Apply
Awarded at Honors Night since 2015, recognizing outstanding achievement and service by a student who is a descendant of a Lisle High School graduate, honoring the foundation's founding family.
Awarded to a student who demonstrates exceptional achievement and leadership in business and entrepreneurship.
Grutzmacher Family Alumni Legacy Award — Outstanding Descendant of a Lisle Graduate
Honoring Lisle's longtime principal, this scholarship recognizes an outstanding student committed to pursuing a career in teaching.
Future Business Leader Award — Outstanding Business Student
Awarded to a student achieving excellence in the musical arts.
Ron Logeman Educational Leadership Award — Future Educator
Awarded to a student demonstrating exceptional achievement and passion in the visual arts.
Steve Green Musical Achievement Award — Outstanding Musician
Awarded at Honors Night since 2014, recognizing a standout student in career and technical education in honor of the industrial arts teacher who built Lisle's vocational curriculum.
Kaylee A. Gansberg Art Award — Outstanding Visual Artist
Awarded at Honors Night since 2014, honoring excellence in physical science in memory of an exceptional teacher who set the standard for science education at Lisle.
Ralph King Award — Outstanding Career & Technology Education Student (King Scholarship)
Awarded at Honors Night since 2012, recognizing the standout student in theater arts in honor of the beloved director who inspired generations of Lisle thespians.
Dr. John Mulcare Award — Outstanding Science Student (Mulcare Scholarship)
Awarded at the Athletic Banquet since 1979, honoring Lisle's top female athlete and the legacy of pioneers in girls' athletics Bob Jones and Rick Beato.
Beverly Fiore Award — Outstanding Thespian (Fiore Scholarship)
Awarded at the Athletic Banquet since 1972, this scholarship honors Lisle's top male athlete.
Babe Zaharias Award — Outstanding Female Athlete (Jones/Beato Scholarship)
Who is eligible: Current Lisle High School seniors
How to get an application: Applications are available in the LHS Guidance Office. Ask your counselor for a Carlin Nalley Foundation Scholarship application.
When awards are presented: Scholarships are awarded each spring — most at Honors Night in May, with athletic awards presented at the Athletic Banquet.
Questions? Contact us through the link in our navigation menu.
Our Scholarships — $5,000 Each
Brian Piccolo Award — Outstanding Male Athlete
Awarded at Honors Night since 2015, recognizing outstanding achievement and service by a student who is a descendant of a Lisle High School graduate, honoring the foundation's founding family.
Awarded to a student who demonstrates exceptional achievement and leadership in business and entrepreneurship.
Grutzmacher Family Alumni Legacy Award — Outstanding Descendant of a Lisle Graduate
Honoring Lisle's longtime principal, this scholarship recognizes an outstanding student committed to pursuing a career in teaching.
Future Business Leader Award — Outstanding Business Student
Awarded to a student achieving excellence in the musical arts.
Ron Logeman Educational Leadership Award — Future Educator
Awarded to a student demonstrating exceptional achievement and passion in the visual arts.
Steve Green Musical Achievement Award — Outstanding Musician
Awarded at Honors Night since 2014, recognizing a standout student in career and technical education in honor of the industrial arts teacher who built Lisle's vocational curriculum.
Kaylee A. Gansberg Art Award — Outstanding Visual Artist
Awarded at Honors Night since 2014, honoring excellence in physical science in memory of an exceptional teacher who set the standard for science education at Lisle.
Ralph King Award — Outstanding Career & Technology Education Student (King Scholarship)
Awarded at Honors Night since 2012, recognizing the standout student in theater arts in honor of the beloved director who inspired generations of Lisle thespians.
Dr. John Mulcare Award — Outstanding Science Student (Mulcare Scholarship)
Awarded at the Athletic Banquet since 1979, honoring Lisle's top female athlete and the legacy of pioneers in girls' athletics Bob Jones and Rick Beato.
Beverly Fiore Award — Outstanding Thespian (Fiore Scholarship)
Awarded at the Athletic Banquet since 1972, this scholarship honors Lisle's top male athlete.
Babe Zaharias Award — Outstanding Female Athlete (Jones/Beato Scholarship)
Who is eligible: Current Lisle High School seniors
How to get an application: Applications are available in the LHS Guidance Office. Ask your counselor for a Carlin Nalley Foundation Scholarship application.
When awards are presented: Scholarships are awarded each spring — most at Honors Night in May, with athletic awards presented at the Athletic Banquet.
Questions? Contact us through the link in our navigation menu.
Our Scholarships — $5,000 Each
Brian Piccolo Award — Outstanding Male Athlete
Over the past twenty years, the Carlin Nalley Foundation has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships.
Please help us sustain this worthwhile effort by donating now.
Please help us sustain this worthwhile effort by donating now.
2026 Carlin Nalley Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Ally Russell
Babe Zaharias Award: Outstanding Female Athlete, Jones/Beato $5,000 Scholarship
Kaitlyn Sims
Fiore scholarship, Beverly Fiore Award for Outstanding Thespian $5,000 Scholarship
Chloe Cappel
Dr. John Mulcare Outstanding Science Student $5,000 Scholarship
Peter Evert
Future Business Leader $5,000 Scholarship
Elizabeth Solano
Grutzmacher Family Alumni Legacy Award: Outstanding Achievement and Service by a Descendant of a Lisle Graduate $5,000 Scholarship
Josephine Gustafson
Kaylee A. Gansberg Art $5,000 Scholarship
Colin Keating
Piccolo Award: Lisle’s Outstanding Male Athlete, $5,000 Carlin Nalley Scholarship
Kendall Kolff
Ron Logeman Educational Leadership Award $5,000 Scholarship
Delilah Noriega
King-Thompson $5,000 Scholarship
Hunter Cutler
Steve Green Musical Achievement Award $5,000 Scholarship
2026 Carlin Nalley Foundation Scholarship & Award Winners
Congratulations to the outstanding Lisle High School seniors recognized at Honors Night on May 6, 2026. Pictured here with their presenters, these remarkable young people received Carlin Nalley Foundation scholarships and awards in recognition of their achievements in music, academics, athletics, business, and community leadership. We are proud to support them as they continue their educations. Thank you to all of our dedicated presenters and donors who make these scholarships possible.
Scholarship applications are available in Lisle Senior High School's guidance office.
