Mattoon Arts Council

The Lebovitz Lively Arts Scholarship

The Lebovitz Lively Arts Scholarship was created to provide college scholarships to one or more Mattoon graduates who major or will major in visual or performing arts. The scholarship was named in honor of Carl Lebovitz and James K. Lively, formerly of Mattoon. Lively worked as a freelance translator of many Slavic languages and was a patron of the arts during all of his adult life. Lebovitz, also a language translator, was a founding member of the Mattoon Arts Council & a patron of the arts throughout his life. Lebovitz died in 2009. The Lebovitz Lively Arts Scholarship has reached its seventh year of awarding scholarships to applicants who are graduates of Mattoon High School and major in the visual or performing arts.

2024 Lebovitz Lively Arts Scholarship

awarded to six MHS graduates

1st row: Sadie Armstrong, Abigail Carter, Madeline Krost, 2nd row: Holly McReynolds, Zachary Wetzel, Laney Wright

(Mattoon, Illinois – June 17, 2024) A total of $36,000 has been awarded to graduates of Mattoon High School from the Lebovitz Lively Arts Scholarship Fund.

Sadie Armstrong is a 2020 graduate of Mattoon High School. Sadie is attending Brigham Young University – Provo studying Visual and Performing Arts with a minor in business.

Abigail Carter is a 2021 graduate of Mattoon High School. Abigail is attending Northern Illinois University and studying visual arts.

Madeline Krost is a 2023 graduate of Mattoon High School. Madeline is attending Eastern Illinois University pursuing visual arts and education.

Holly McReynolds is a 2022 graduate of Mattoon High School. Holly is attending Eastern Illinois University studying graphic design.

Zachary Wetzel is a 2022 graduate of Mattoon High School. Zachary will be attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale and studying architecture building/construction management.

Laney Wright is a 2023 graduate of Mattoon High School. Laney will be attending Eastern Illinois University to study business and visual and performing arts.

The Lebovitz Lively Arts Scholarship was created to provide college scholarships to one or more Mattoon graduates who major or will major in visual or performing arts. The scholarship was named in honor of Carl Lebovitz and James K. Lively, formerly of Mattoon. Lively worked as a freelance translator of many Slavic languages and was a patron of the arts during all of his adult life. He died in 1998. Lebovitz, also a language translator, was a founding member of the Mattoon Arts Council and a patron of the arts throughout his life. He participated in local theatrical productions over the years and was the Journal Gazette/Times-Courier’s arts reviewer-at-large for 30 years. Lebovitz died in 2009. The Lebovitz Lively Arts Scholarship has reached its seventh year of awarding scholarships to applicants who are graduates of Mattoon High School and major in the visual or performing arts.

Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation manages more than 200 funds for the immediate and long-term benefit of communities in southeastern Illinois. For more information, contact Alex Pleasant, President/CEO of Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, at 217.342.4988 or alex@southeasternillinois.org.