Since 1979 the Illinois Sheriff’s Association has awarded at least one student in each county a scholarship. The scholarship must be awarded to an Illinois Student, and the student must be attending an Illinois higher learning institution for the 2026-2027 school year. The scholarship must be applied to tuition, fees, or books.
The Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding scholastic, extra-curricular and character qualifications. The students must submit a 500- word essay to be considered.
This year, Effingham County Sheriff Paul F. Kuhns announced that the Illinois Sheriff’s Association Scholarship in Effingham County is awarded to Mallory Bierman. Mallory is the daughter of Doug and Lynn Bierman of Dieterich. She is a senior at Dieterich High School and will be attending Lake Land College in the fall of 2026, with plans to obtain an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in Dental Hygiene.
Audrey Kepp, of Effingham, was selected as first alternate in the scholarship competition.
Sheriff Kuhns said, “Thank you to all of the students who participated in the scholarship competition, and we wish all of our graduating high school seniors, throughout the county, the best of luck in their future endeavors.”