Chad Pearson, D'Angelo Vernon and Andre Sayles at the signing ceremony for D'Angelo Vernon on Friday at Blackhawk.
D’Angelo Vernon, a 2024 Clinton High School graduate, is this year’s recipient of the IDEAL Opportunity Scholarship from the Blackhawk Technical College Foundation.
During a signing ceremony on Friday at Blackhawk, D’Angelo, who is in the Criminal Justice program, officially accepted the scholarship, which includes full-tuition coverage, a faculty mentor, a stipend for living expenses, and two paid internship opportunities—one with the Janesville Police Department and the other with the Beloit Police Department.
At the event, Janesville Chief of Police Chad Pearson and Beloit Chief of Police Andre Sayles both spoke, highlighting the importance of teamwork and the value of a strong support system in law enforcement. They welcomed D’Angelo into the law enforcement community and emphasized how partnerships between Blackhawk and local police departments provide students with the tools to succeed both academically and professionally.
“We want to launch you into a great career. This is a noble profession. It’s a thankless job. But we look for great people like you to continue to build upon what we are doing in our police department,” said Chief Sayles.
After living in several states over the years, D’Angelo has made Clinton his home for the past six years. Driven by a strong commitment to serve and protect his community, he aspires to become a police officer or sheriff's deputy upon his graduation in 2026.
"I've always been fascinated by the law and its role in maintaining order and justice. The opportunity to positively impact people's lives is something I find truly rewarding," he said.
Beyond academics, D’Angelo is passionate about being active in the local community, coaching youth football and serving as a youth leader and worship member at his church. These commitments, while time-consuming, are able to be balanced with his studies, thanks to the scholarship, he said.
“This scholarship has given me the chance to work hard and aim high, knowing that people believe in me. Overall, this scholarship has helped me grow and be a better student and leader.”
He credits Blackhawk Technical College not only for the financial assistance but also for the vital skills he has gained.
"The most important thing I’ve learned here isn’t just the knowledge from my classes. I’ve developed critical thinking, problem-solving and time-management skills that will serve me well in my career and life," he said.
D’Angelo encourages future students to take full advantage of the opportunities at Blackhawk both inside and outside of the classroom.
"Get involved in clubs and activities, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. The professors and advisors are there to support you,” he said.
D’Angelo is the fifth recipient of the IDEAL Opportunity Scholarship since its inception in 2020. IDEAL stands for Inclusion – Diversity – Equity – Accessibility – Launch and is designed to support full-time enrolled students as they work toward degree completion in designated, high-need areas, including Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, Electro-Mechanical Technology, Automated Systems Technology and Criminal Justice. It also aims to increase access to education and make a degree from Blackhawk Technical College possible for an individual from a historically underrepresented group who faces financial barriers to post-secondary education. The scholarship program is sustained by many contributors, including PepsiCo.
For more information about the IDEAL Opportunity Scholarship, please visit blackhawk.edu/ideal.