The effect teachers have on their students is often not realized until years later. In the case of the late Julie Morley, it was noticeable while she was a home economics teacher and department chair at Riverside-Brookfield High School, but made more evident following her passing last year.

Morley’s devotion to her students was recognizable in other ways, as she served on the board of the Riverside Brookfield Education Foundation and as a member of the Alumni Achievement Committee. 

Now her legacy as an educator lives on through the new Julie Morley Scholarship. Former student Michael Lannon contacted other former students, now all chefs, to set up a fundraiser to get the scholarship started.

Collaborating with Michael Taus, Chris Pandell, Stephanie Chase and David Wright, a dinner/silent auction is planned at the Riverside Golf Club on Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.  Tickets are $125 and seating is limited. For reservations contact Sarah Davila at 708-447-3700.

Each of the chefs will be preparing one of their specialties, from appetizers to desserts. 

According to Lannon and Maureen Morley-Larson (Morley’s daughter), the idea for a scholarship happened because Lannon wanted to recognize “Ma” Morley, who had been such an influence. 

The scholarship will be known as the Julie Morley Culinary Scholarship and will be awarded yearly to a student at RBHS pursuing the culinary arts. Information on the scholarship will be available at a later date through the Guidance Department at the school.

Donations for the scholarship will be accepted at any time. Checks can be made out to the Riverside-Brookfield Educational Foundation, with “Morley Scholarship” in the memo line, and sent to David Monti, Riverside-Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Illinois, 60546.

Julie Morley will be remembered as a petite but mighty person who loved her profession and students, often following their career paths after they left RBHS. She often would talk about the latest restaurant where one of her students was the chef or even owner. 

Time spent taking students to competitions was time well spent. She enjoyed time with her daughters, Maureen and Colleen, and her grandchildren. Following her retirement, she spent time in Riverside and Michigan but always remained in tune with her students, wherever they were.