Bob Quarello Memorial Scholarship
We find it hard to put into words a life so well lived such as that of Bob Quarello. His life is beyond paraphrase and abbreviation, a life too full to summarize justly. Bob cared deeply about his community and those around him. Throughout his career, he dedicated himself to serve others especially the young.
Bob began in law enforcement, first as an Explorer in Pekin and then later on founding a new Explorer post with the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Department. He also helped to found several additional posts as an advisor throughout his career. At the young age of 18, Bob got his foot in the door when the Pekin Park District hired him as an officer. His career had begun.
He would go on to be a dispatcher first at the Pekin Fire Department and later with Peoria and TazewellCounty. After several years serving in Peoria, he went on to work on Manito Police Department rising to the rank of Captain. Meanwhile in Manito, he obtained an EMT license and volunteered to work with the Forman Ambulance Service. In his younger days he also worked for Mason County Sheriff’s Department, South Pekin Police Department, and ICC security. During this time he stayed active with the Law Enforcement Explorer Program, becoming one of the first nationally certified D.A.R.E. instructors, and serving on the board of the Greater Peoria Area Crime Stoppers.
Bob continued his service in these communities until he was appointed Assistant Chief of Police in Delavan and later moving on to be appointed to Chief in MarquetteHeights. He then went on to work as an officer in GreenValley and Tremont before returning to Delavan as Assistant Chief and later receiving a promotion to Chief. In all of these communities, he devoted himself to community programs and helping the young.
After serving as Chief in Delavan, Bob was hired as a School Resource Officer for the PleasantValleySchool District. This was a new type of position for Bob, but one he enjoyed immensely where he helped form an anti-bullying campaign and an influential resource for the school. He was most happy when his work centered onyoung people. Bob, never content serving in just one community, also worked for the Minier Police Department, was Sergeant on the Canton Park District Police Department co-founding K.O.P.S.- a program for children encouraging community service and positive interaction with police, and served as a Tazewell County Dispatcher for most of his 40 year career in law enforcement.
Minier is where Bob dedicated himself to the Explorer program with his daughter, Meredith. For all his efforts with the Explorers, Bob was awarded the National Explorer Advisor of the Year, and also the Explorer Advisor of the Year for theW.D. Boyce Council BSA. In the Explorers, he was able to advise the young and see firsthand, Meredith’s growth as a leader while she was the Captain of the Minier Explorer Post 007.
Tragically, his life ended suddenly on June 28, 2010. But the story does not end with his untimely passing. His story lives on in the Explorers who he mentored and guided. His story continues through the scholarship recipients, now and hereafter. His story goes on forever in the communities he served; the friends he cherished deeply; and the family he loved with all his heart especially his wife, Jane, and his greatest joy, Meredith.
For all who knew him, this is an all too short glimpse into the life of a man who gave so much to so many.
In Memoriam, Bob Quarello.
Application Form
ELIGIBILITY
The applicant must be accepted into or currently enrolled in a law enforcement or related professional curriculum, or enrolled in classes in preparation for a career within law enforcement or related field.
The applicant must be a permanent resident of one of the following counties in Illinois where Bob Quarello served during his law enforcement career: Fulton, Mason, Peoria, or Tazewell.
If the applicant is a current or former explorer within the W.D. Boyce Council, the residency requirement is expanded to include the counties of the WD. Boyce Council which are Bureau, DeWitt, Ford, Fulton, LaSalle, Livingston, Logan, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Peoria, Putnam, Tazewell, and Woodford.
Applicants may include current college students or high school graduating seniors.
College or university to be attended need not be an Illinois institution; however, it must be accredited or recognized as an approved program in the field of study.
Scholarship winners will be awarded a minimum of $500.00, depending on availability of funding.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Completed application includes a
oCompleted form
o Typewritten short essay answers, no more than 2 pages total
o Typewritten long essay of no more than 1,000 words (see page 3 for the topic)
oA high school and/or college transcript
oTwo (2) letters of reference from an employer, academic supervisor, instructor, or another non-relative who can attest to your personal character and ability to succeed in chosen career field.
oVerification that you have been accepted into an accredited institution of higher learning
Applications will be made available by January 1 of each year.
Applications are due by April1 of each yearto the Minier Police Department at 110 W. Central/P.O. Box 350 Minier, IL 61759. Scholarship winners will be announced after April 1st.
Top applicants should be prepared to come to a personal interview. The selection committee may or may not choose to conduct personal interviews after reviewing the written applications.
Questions about the scholarship may be directed to Daryl Weseloh at 309-392-2442 or e-mail at .
Please print in black ink or type. All blanks must be completed. Use “NA” (not applicable) where data requested is not applicable to you.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: ______
Social Security Number: ______
Email Address: ______
Permanent Address: ______
City, State, and Zip: ______
Contact Phone number(s): ______
Date of Birth: ______
Do you belong to an explorer program? ______If so, which post? ______
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION
Which high school did you (will you) graduate from? ______
High school GPA: ______out of ______College Entrance Exam score: SAT: ______ACT: ______
Where are you currently studying? ______
What school will you attend this fall? ______
What is your academic major or certification program? ______
Will you be a full-time or part-time student?______
What is your ultimate professional goal? ______
______
SHORT ESSAY QUESTIONS Please limit responses to a maximum of 2 typewritten pages. Please attach to this application.
A. What personal traits do you possess that you feel will help you be successful in your chosen career?
B. What extracurricular, community, and volunteer activities have you done?
C. Please describe any involvement that you may have had with the Law Enforcement Explorer Program.
LONG ESSAY QUESTION Please attached typewritten essay of no more than 1,000 words.
This essay should attest to your personal calling to serve society and how that calling can be fulfilled by you serving in a law enforcement or related public safety career.
SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS AND CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION
As required by the scholarship guidelines, I confirm that I am a permanent resident of ______County. I also understand that if selected as a scholarship winner, I will pursue a course of study to prepare me for a career in law enforcement or related field.
I hereby certify that all information contained in this application is true and accurate and that the attached essay is my original work. I also consent to the release of any information that, in the judgment of the Scholarship Committee, may be of assistance in evaluating my scholarship application, and for no other purpose.
Signature of applicant: ______
Date signed: ______