Support the Kelli S. Hendryx Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship fund was started in March of 2015 by Jeff Hendryx (Kelli's husband), and his daughters, Holly and Chelsie, after Kelli's passing. The fund is intended to provide an annual scholarship to a Morton High School Senior who is pursuing a degree in either Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, or Elementary Education.

Our final scholarship tonight is the $2,500.00 Kelli S. Hendryx Memorial Physical Therapy Scholarship. Kelli Hendryx was a very outgoing, generous, and kind woman who had a passion for life. She spent many years dedicating her life to education. She taught for 14 years before moving to Illinois. Kelli had a masters in special education and elementary education. She always had a special place in her heart for her students. Kelli was admired by many. While raising both of her daughters, she loved attending their many extra curriculums and volunteering at their schools and activities.

Unexpectedly, in December 2010, Kelli suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm. She survived surgery to repair the aneurysm but the severity of the bleed created many complications. Over the course of the next 4 years, Kelli received countless surgeries to try to repair the damage that had been done. Unfortunately, the surgeries also had negative effects on her, leaving her partially paralyzed from the waist down.

Due to Kelli’s active lifestyle, before this condition, she had a hard time accepting her immobility, but never lost sight of her dream of being able to walk again. That’s when Kelli immersed herself into physical therapy in hopes of reaching her goal one day of being able to walk again. After several years and many tireless hours of dedication from her and a team of physical therapists Kelli stood up between two parallel bars and took her first steps again.

Sadly, in January 2015, Kelli passed away, leaving a huge hole where her vibrant personality once was. Kelli was extremely thankful for all the hard work the therapists and their assistants spent on her. This is why, the Hendryx family wanted to help an aspiring therapist and/or teacher with this scholarship in Kelli’s honor. In our audience tonight as we present this scholarship we have Kelli’s husband, Jeff, and her two daughters, Holly and Chelsie.