The Marita J. Donohue Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of 1967 Collinsville graduate Marita (Butcher) Donohue. Marita was a skilled musician whose participation in band grew her love of music and taught her to apply herself regardless of the odds - a critical life lesson that helped her throughout her life.
When Martia joined band and her parents couldn’t afford to purchase an instrument for her, CHS Band Director Mr. Neal Streble generously loaned her a baritone for the summer. Marita worked diligently and was named first chair. She had fond memories of the concert gown her mother made for her to wear during the CHS Band’s performance at the Fox Theater in St. Louis. Martia went on to become a nurse, wife and mother, but her love and appreciation for music and the Kahok band program never waned.
Established by her family, this scholarship is “dedicated in her memory to help assist students who love music for its own sake, and wish to make the future just a little better.” It is awarded each spring to a graduating senior at Collinsville High School who participated in the CHS Band program for four years. It pays $4,000 dollars to the educational institution school of the recipient's choice for their first year, and $4,000 for a second year, for a total of $8,000 dollars.
A full description of the Marita J. Donohue Memorial Scholarship and application are available through the Collinsville High School Counseling Department and are posted on their website.
Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 comprises 13 schools serving 6,100+ students PreK-12 in Madison and St. Clair Counties in Southwestern Illinois.
Collinsville Area Community Foundation is a public charitable organization as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions and gifts are tax deductible. Donations and bequests are accepted from and disbursed to individuals, groups or businesses.
