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Naperville Today
By the People, for the People
Naperville Student Earns Prestigious Evans Scholarship; DuPage County Plans 250th Anniversary Celebrations
Naperville Central senior awarded $125,000 college scholarship; DuPage to host events honoring U.S. 250th birthday
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
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Bexley Howard, a senior at Naperville Central High School, was awarded the prestigious Western Golf Association's Chick Evans Scholarship, which provides four years of college tuition and housing valued at $125,000. Meanwhile, DuPage County and its partners are planning a series of community celebrations throughout 2026 to honor the United States' 250th anniversary, including a photo contest, historical exhibits, and the burial of a time capsule.
Why it matters
The Evans Scholarship is one of the nation's largest and most selective scholarship programs, recognizing outstanding academic achievement, community service, and financial need among high school golfers who have caddied. DuPage County's 250th anniversary celebrations will engage residents and showcase the region's history and identity as part of the broader commemoration of America's founding.
The details
Bexley Howard earned the Evans Scholarship through his record of excellent grades, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and experience as a caddie at Naperville Country Club, where he helped support his family. The scholarship provides full tuition and housing for four years of college. DuPage County's 250th anniversary plans include a time capsule collection, a photo contest, historical exhibits at the DuPage County Museum, and an oral history project documenting local business leaders and residents.
- Bexley Howard was awarded the Evans Scholarship in 2026.
- DuPage County will bury a time capsule in June 2026.
- The 'Snapshots of DuPage: Honoring 250 Years of America' photo contest will accept entries through November 2, 2026.
- The DuPage County Historical Museum's '250th Anniversary of the United States' exhibit will open in July 2026.
- The museum's '100th Anniversary of Route 66' exhibit will run from August through November 2026.
The players
Bexley Howard
A senior at Naperville Central High School who was awarded the prestigious Western Golf Association's Chick Evans Scholarship, which provides four years of college tuition and housing valued at $125,000.
DuPage County
The county in Illinois that is planning a series of community celebrations throughout 2026 to honor the United States' 250th anniversary, including a time capsule collection, a photo contest, historical exhibits, and an oral history project.
What’s next
The DuPage County Board and the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference will recognize the winners of the 'Snapshots of DuPage: Honoring 250 Years of America' photo contest at the December 8, 2026 DuPage County Board meeting.
The takeaway
The Evans Scholarship and DuPage County's 250th anniversary celebrations demonstrate the region's commitment to supporting academic excellence, community engagement, and preserving local history as part of the broader commemoration of America's founding.
