The Dr. Jay and ECJ Phoenix Scholarship 

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Elsie Carlson Johnson (ECJ) was a Superintendent of Schools in Carol Stream, Illinois.  She started life as the daughter of an Itinerant farmer in central Illinois.  Contrary to common role expectations for her rural farm community at the time, she attended Illinois State University, with her father’s blessing, graduating with a degree in Biology.  She continued on for a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Microbiology.   After that, Elsie worked as a Lab technician in Chicago and married Robert David Johnson in 1945, after being “pen pals” during World War II.  With Robert’s support, again against the general role expectations of her time,  Elsie worked as a dedicated elementary teacher, and eventually became the Superintendent of Schools in CCSD #93, Carol Stream, Illinois.  She served as Superintendent of CCSD #93 for 25 years and saw the village through its growth from one school to a district of seven schools. To honor Elsie, the CCSD #93 School Board named one of their schools after Elsie.  Elsie C. Johnson School is located in Hanover Park, Illinois.  Elsie graduated with a Doctoral degree from Northern Illinois University in 1978. Her dissertation considered the feasibility of using solar power for schools.

Dr. Jay Kyp-Johnson, Elsie’s son, worked at Prospect High School from 2005 to 2021 as a School Psychologist.  He has two masters degrees, in counseling and school Administration, and a Doctoral degree in School Psychology from Loyola University Chicago.

The Phoenix Scholarship is intended to benefit hard working students who overcome difficult circumstances, defy common role expectations, and endeavor to overcome first generation adversities.  The scholarship should support students in their quest to go on to college, with the intention of using their talents in service of the needs of their fellow humans, as did Dr. Elsie and Dr. Jay. 

The Dr. Jay and ECJ scholarship is administered by District 214 Education Foundation, and students are selected by the Student Services Department at Prospect High School.