UNIQUE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IN AURORA
Last spring, East Aurora High School alumni, Jack Meyer (1971) and his business partner, Craig Anderson, watched the school’s 2017 graduating class accept their diplomas.
The two owners of Meyer Wealth Advisors, an Aurora-based wealth consulting firm, proudly took the stage to award two $500 scholarships to new EAHS graduates, Oscar Zepeda and Jonathan Ojeda.
“With these scholarships, we are interested in people who are going into the business field, show some interest in coming back to Aurora and become impactful and influential in the business community,” says Jack. “We want to help these kids get started with their careers just as people did for me 45 years ago.”
Meyer Wealth Advisors is located on Aurora’s west side, and as Aurora natives, they have a giving philosophy centered on giving back to the people of their community so that together, they can work to grow and improve the city. “Our job is to help individuals create and maintain wealth,” states Jack. “Over the years, we have seen these clients not only improve their lifestyle, but also give back to the community to give a helping hand to others.”
The entire Meyer Wealth staff is born and raised in Aurora and educated at either East or West Aurora High School. The company reached out to Waubonsee Community College’s Upward Bound Program, a college completion program based at the Aurora High Schools. The program gives first-generation, low-income high school students the motivation and support necessary to go to college. Scholarships such as the ones Meyer Wealth Advisors provided motivates students to see the opportunities available to them for continuing their education.
Along with the application process, the students wrote essays. Zepeda, whose family came from Mexico, described how he viewed his family as role models and how his father started his own business. Ojeda, whose family also comes from Mexico, envisioned himself helping his family, especially after his father’s death in 2014.
“By lending a hand to help these students succeed, we hope one day they will pay it forward,” explains Jack. Meyer Wealth plans on continuing the scholarship program not only at East Aurora High School but also next year at West Aurora High School, Craig’s alma mater.
Mindy’s September Giving Inspiration: The next time you have a particularly good waiter/waitress, give an over-generous tip. This may be how they make their living or how they are paying for their schooling.
ABOUT THE WRITER Mindy Kyle is the owner of Be Inspired Studios and is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Masters in Fine Arts degree in creative writing from DePaul University and lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dog in the land.
