For the eighth year, the CATA presented the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship to a graduating senior at a northwest suburban high school. Emily Seriruk on May 19 received a $1,000 grant to put toward future studies. The CATA established the scholarship — a $1,000 grant — to honor Cooling, a Hersey alumna and long-time NBC 5 Chicago Special Events Director who died in 2013 following a battle with cancer. 

As the producer of the Chicago Auto Show, the CATA worked closely with Cooling and NBC 5 to help facilitate the station’s live TV auto show specials that garnered several Emmy Awards. When Cooling died, CATA leadership wanted to contribute to a cause that would enable her spirit to live on.

"At the time of Carol’s passing, CATA Chairman John Webb had the idea to create this wonderful scholarship as a way to pay tribute to such an impactful, larger-than-life person," said David Sloan, president of the CATA and general manager of the Chicago Auto Show. "I continue to feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to present this scholarship to deserving Hersey High School students, and I am certain Carol would be touched to see her legacy live on in such an influential and positive way." 

The Hersey High School scholarship committee selected Seriruk as the recipient of the scholarship because she embodies many of the characteristics also used to describe Cooling. Attributes such as "driven, ambitious and resilient" are commonly used by Seriruk’s teachers and peers.

"Taking the words from Emily’s English teacher, Kyle Marquette, ‘Emily is a fighter,’" said Hersey Assistant Principal John Novak. "She does not back down from challenges, but rather uses them as motivation to continually better herself." 

According to Novak, Seriruk has proven her ability to balance a rigorous academic schedule with her involvement in the peer tutoring program Service Over Self, the Asian American culture club, the math team and the badminton team. 

"As if these activities weren’t enough to fill her time, Emily also held a part-time job outside of school," said Novak. "Her determination and can-do attitude are what set her apart from other scholarship candidates." 

Novak said: "Emily truly embodies the characteristics of the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship. She treats people with respect and has the ability to make a positive impact on those around her. We are thankful to the Chicago Automobile Trade Association for honoring such a deserving young adult in Carol Cooling’s memory."

Seriruk graduated from Hersey High School this month and will attend the University of Illinois at Chicago this fall. She plans to study chemical engineering. She will apply her scholarship to help pay for her UIC tuition.

"I’ve heard that Carol Cooling radiated positivity and made a great impact on everyone in her life, and I strive to do that as well, whether it’s from simply tutoring my peers or planning to improve people’s lives through solving real-world problems as a chemical engineer," said Seriruk. "I believe I met the requirements of the scholarship because I am driven to work hard to achieve my goals, including maintaining a 4.73 GPA and financially helping my mom from a young age."

"I am beyond grateful to have received this scholarship, and I can’t even begin to explain how much it means to me," Seriruk continued. "I really wish I could have met Carol Cooling, as she exemplified the type of person I strive to be. Her accomplishments demonstrated her passion and hard work that result in achieving great things. 

"I am honored to carry on her legacy by graciously taking this scholarship and applying it to my own education to pursue a career where I hope to make a positive difference in the lives of others."

The CATA will fund the scholarship at Hersey through 2024.