Crystal Lake Central graduate Ellie Berube received the GritGrant, an award that recognizes high school students interested in entrepreneurship who overcome adversity to reach their goals. Berube was presented with a $2,500 award and plaque as a surprise during a first-period IncubatorEdu class she volunteered to speak with on August 13. Her parents, along with GritGrant sponsors Karl Freucht and Jim McKenzie, attended to present the award and celebrate Berube’s accomplishments.

Students are nominated to receive a GritGrant by teachers across the country who participate in incubator programs. Berube was nominated by her IncubatorEdu teacher Joe Jauch. Twenty-seven finalists were named to be considered for the GritGrant, with six selected to receive the award and plaque for their accomplishments. 

Berube was nominated for her group’s IncubatorEdu project LaxShadez, a protective glasses insert designed specifically for women’s lacrosse goggles, which currently isn’t available for women’s lacrosse players. Berube and her group won first place at the Crystal Lake Central IncubatorEdu Pitch Night and placed second in McHenry County at the McHenry County College Entrepreneurship Pitch Night last spring. 

Berube currently attends Miami University in Ohio, where she is studying finance and real estate with a minor in entrepreneurship.