MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER BRITTANY PAYNE

Suited for Success

Illinois Education Foundation "Signature Scholarship"

Winning students get ‘Suited for Success’

Off and on, for a stretch of about 15 years, Lewis Magers was told what clothes to wear — usually in a “really nasty” shade of brown or pale blue, and if they didn’t fit so good, well, too bad.

It’s been three years since Magers’ last jail stint, and on Saturday, Magers, 37, slipped into another uniform — also a shade of brown, but this one came with a burnt-orange tie and a tailor wielding a measuring tape and a piece of chalk.

“If I saved my money, I might be able to go to the Salvation Army and piece something together, but a custom suit? No,” said Magers, modeling a “gently used” taupe suit at the swanky Standard Club in the Loop.

Magers was one of 41 men and women — some of whom had never worn a suit and couldn’t tell you their shirt sizes — to get outfitted, for free, as part of “Suited for Success,” an event sponsored by the Illinois Education Foundation. The non-profit has awarded more than $3.5 million in scholarships to some 250 low-income community college

Magers, after losing much of his earlier years to drug addiction and dealing, is now focused on becoming a certified alcohol and drug counselor, after he finishes up his coursework at Harold Washington College.

Step Into the Spotlight: IEF Scholar Lewis Magers

"After much soul searching, I made the decision to attend college and give school all that I had."

Lewis Magers has finally found peace...but it did not come easily. Placed into foster care as an infant, Lewis spent his childhood in different homes and centers until he was adopted at 11 years old by a family he now calls his own. Lewis' turbulent childhood profoundly affected his self-esteem. Five years ago, Lewis found himself lacking direction and battling a drug addiction. In an unexpected twist of fate, his biological sister, who was also living in Chicago, located Lewis. She too had struggled with drugs, but recovered and had recently completed an associate's degree at Harold Washington College. Inspired and supported by his sister, Lewis overcame his drug dependency and enrolled at Harold Washington as well.

Lewis is now sober and excelling in his studies. Furthermore, he has developed a passion for helping others who are struggling with addiction, and is working to complete his Associate's of Science in Addiction Studies. He is proud to say that he has made the honor roll and the dean's list at Harold Washington College for four semester in a row. Lewis plans on attaining a bachelor's degree in social work after he receives his associate's degree. As a new scholar, Lewis is truly excited to join the IEF community, where he knows he will be supported and encouraged as he studies to become an addiction counselor.

(Brittany Payne #3) The next Michawaka Marion High school Girls varsity Soccer Super star, getting warmed up for her first varsity soccer match.