Saint Patrick High School is proud to announce that two seniors, Jacob Chachaj and William McMillin, have received full tuition and housing college scholarships through the Western Golf Association’s Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship.
The scholarships – renewable for up to four years – are awarded to high school seniors who have a strong caddie record, excellent grades, outstanding character and demonstrated financial need. The scholarships are offered at 19 top universities across the country and worth up to $150,000 – $200,000 over four years.
Saint Patrick President Dr. Joseph G. Schmidt, AFSC – a past Western Golf Association (WGA) board member and current director – is extremely proud of the efforts he’s seen from St. Pat’s students over the years, and strongly believes that caddying can help young men set themselves up for success later in life.
“Caddying is more than a summer job – it’s an investment in the future,” Schmidt said. “It’s on the links where caddies, like Jacob and Billy, are mentored by successful adults, learn life lessons, hone a strong work ethic and take their own shot at opportunity: Earning an Evans Scholarship.”
Jacob Chachaj ’21 is the oldest son of immigrant parents and the first in his family to attend college. Chachaj, who attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Edison Park, says he wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for St. Pat’s.
“If it weren’t for St. Pat’s, and the help and support of Dr. Schmidt and so many others, I would not have caddied at Ridgemoor Country Club or have the opportunity I’ve been given to continue growing as a person through the college experience,” he said. “Receiving the Chick Evans Scholarship not only relieves the financial burden of attending college, it is validation of everything that my family and I have worked for and hoped to achieve.”
Jacob plans to major in Finance at The University of Notre Dame, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Michigan, Northwestern University or University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
William (Billy) McMillin ’21 attended Edison Park Elementary School and says if it wasn’t for the Lasallian Scholarship he received to attend Saint Patrick High School, he would not be in the position he is in today. McMillin says his mother is his biggest driving force. “She is the strongest person I know,” Billy said. “She raised us to be strong and resilient, and it means the world to me to give back to her and make her proud.”
In addition to his mom and Dr. Schmidt, Billy says Board Chairman Mick O’Rourke ’86 and Board of Trustees Member Rick Wilkens ’82 have been very supportive. “St. Pat’s alumni are so supportive of each other,” he said. “I would love to be in the same position to give back someday, and offer scholarships to families in need.”
Billy plans to pursue Pre-Medicine at The University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or Marquette University.
With the addition of these two Shamrocks to the Evans family, Saint Patrick has had a total of 114 students earn the prestigious scholarship. The school leads the nation in Evans Scholars with 19 graduates currently receiving a tuition-free education. In addition, Saint Patrick has several seniors from this year’s graduating class still being considered for the scholarship.
