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The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) will present the 2019 Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship to John Hersey High School senior Tyler Delahanty later this week during a school assembly. Delahanty will receive a $1,000 grant to put toward future education.     

 

The CATA established the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship six years ago to honor Carol Cooling, a John Hersey High School alumna and long-time NBC 5 Chicago Special Events Director, who passed away in 2013 following a battle with cancer. The CATA, as producer of the Chicago Auto Show, worked closely with Cooling and NBC 5 to help facilitate the station's live TV specials that garnered several Emmy Awards over the years.

 

The John Hersey High School scholarship committee selected Delahanty as the recipient because he embodies many of the characteristics also used to describe Cooling. Attributions such as "smart, involved, dedicated, outstanding and exceptional" are commonly used by Delahanty's teachers and peers. 

 

"Carol inspired everyone with whom she came in contact, and not just through her work ethic; it was her passion, determination and perseverance for living a life she loved that showed her true colors," said CATA President Dave Sloan. "With the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship, our hope is that her legacy lives on, and that she continues to inspire students to become the best version of themselves - even when life doesn't deal you the finest cards."

 

John Hersey High School Assistant Principal for Student Activities John Novak said that Delahanty was an "exceptional choice for the award" as he's heavily involved in a number of activities both inside and outside of school. Despite all of his extracurricular involvement, Delahanty has been able to maintain a 4.05 GPA and score a 32 on his ACT. 

 

"We're elated that Tyler has been chosen as the 2019 recipient of the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship," Novak commented. "He is an outstanding student - strong academically and very involved in our school community. Tyler has been a part of our theater tech crew, a member of our scholastic bowl team and has been inducted into the National Honor Society and the World Language Honor Society."

 

"We are very thankful to the Chicago Automobile Trade Association for honoring a Hersey student in Carol's memory," continued Novak. 

 

"I am very honored and humbled to receive this scholarship, and thankful to the Chicago Automobile Trade Association for honoring the memory of Carol Cooling," said Delahanty. "When writing the application, I tried to convey the same characteristics and enthusiasm that Carol Cooling displayed during her time with NBC 5 Chicago. I am also thankful to my family for helping instill these characteristics in me and for the opportunity to continue my education." 

 

Delahanty will put his scholarship money directly toward tuition costs at the University of Dayton, where he will be studying education this fall. 

 

John Hersey High School students will have the chance to apply for the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship again next year. The CATA will fund the scholarship through 2024.