This scholarship fund was created by Judith E. Bunch, a former English teacher at West Aurora High School, in honor of her daughter, Holly Lee Bunch, for the purpose of recognizing and supporting meritorious area students who share Holly’s passion for learning.
Holly was born and reared in Aurora, Illinois, where she attended West Aurora public schools and ranked at the top of her class. She was the lead in her high school musicals which made her well suited to “perform” later in life as a trial lawyer, prosecuting sexual predators.
Holly attended the University of Illinois for undergraduate school, majoring in English and Philosophy; was graduated Suma Cum Laude; and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, one of the most prestigious honor societies in the U.S. After having been graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School, she became an assistant district attorney for the next 34 years, where she served as a prosecutor of sensitive crimes, most often defending women and children, prosecuting their sexual predators. Her courtroom style was both elegant and dramatic. She was gentle and compassionate with the victims of sexual abuse and a fighting tiger to the perpetrators.
Through the years, Holly has been described as brilliant, incredibly organized, professional, and of the highest integrity. She was also known for her rapier wit.
Eligible students must be West Aurora High School graduating seniors who are members of the National Honor Society with a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and are pursuing a Liberal Arts degree or a degree in the Humanities.
