Southwestern’s Lucy Childress awarded Cordogan Clark’s “Built Environment” Scholarship

Lucy Childress, a senior at Southwestern High School in Piasa, Illinois, has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Cordogan Clark & Associates “Built Environment” Scholarship. The $1,000 award recognizes Lucy’s academic excellence, leadership, service, and her thoughtful understanding of how well-designed educational spaces support learning and student success.
Lucy has maintained a strong academic record throughout high school, earning a 3.8 GPA and ranking in the top 15 percent of her graduating class. She is an active member of the National Honor Society and has consistently earned honor roll recognition. Lucy has challenged herself through honors and advanced coursework while remaining highly engaged in school life.
Outside the classroom, Lucy has demonstrated leadership and commitment through her involvement in volleyball, soccer, and Scholastic Bowl. She has also contributed to her school community through student leadership activities, mentoring, and service projects. In addition, Lucy has balanced her academic and extracurricular responsibilities with part-time work as a receptionist and babysitter, further developing her professionalism and communication skills.
In her scholarship essay, Lucy reflected on the role Southwestern High School’s learning environment has played in her academic and personal development. She shared her appreciation for how the school’s design supports students, writing:
“Throughout my high school career, I have grown to appreciate the structure of my school building, which supports students both academically and personally. The built environment has positively influenced my ability to learn by providing the necessary resources for academic success as well as creating an atmosphere where students feel motivated, supported, and encouraged to grow.”
Lucy plans to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale this fall, where she will pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. She hopes to gain hands-on experience through internships and eventually combine her technical expertise with leadership skills to make a meaningful impact in her field.
Cordogan Clark awards its annual “Built Environment” Scholarship to graduating seniors from school districts the firm has partnered with. The scholarship supports students whose academic achievements and personal values reflect the impact of well-designed learning environments.
The scholarship was presented to Lucy Childress during Southwestern High School’s senior awards ceremony by representatives of Cordogan Clark.