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West Aurora High School Fund In Memory Of Richard J. Dorsey

Established 2008

Richard J. Dorsey
West Aurora High School
West Aurora High School

The West Aurora High School Fund was created as a memorial to Richard J. Dorsey at the time of his passing.

The fund supports the educational needs and sports activities at West Aurora High School, as identified and approved by the school district’s foundation.

Richard Dorsey (1922-2008) passed away on November 11, 2008 following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Elgin, Illinois.  He was a graduate of Elgin High School and Illinois State University.  In 1951, he received his M.S. in educational administration from the University of Illinois.

Mr. Dorsey served his country during World War II.  He was a member of the United States Army Air Force from 1943-1946.

He was an educator his entire career in Paris, Illinois, Serena, Illinois and West Aurora High School, where he taught for thirty years.

While at West Aurora High School, he served as a coach, physical education and biology teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal and principal.

Coach Dorsey loved sports and inspired others to strive for excellence and sportsmanship.

He coached golf, football and basketball.  He was especially known for leading basketball teams to victory in Serena and West Aurora High Schools.

After retiring from coaching, Mr. Dorsey enjoyed officiating football and basketball for over twenty-five years.

He was survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Frances Dorsey, two children, two grandchildren and three great-granddaughters.

To read more about the illustrious career of Coach Dorsey, please click here:

A History of West Aurora School District 129

In 2016, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley partnered with the A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools in preserving the history of West Aurora School District 129. Together they produced a collection of photographs, biographies, a video and more highlighting the impressive history of the West Aurora Schools.

Explore the History of West Aurora School District 129

historyintro

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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