COLLINSVILLE – Collinsville High School graduate Bryan Kitley (’74) is giving back to the Kahok community in honor of his late wife and encourages others to invest locally. Through his philanthropy with the Collinsville Area Community Foundation, Kitley established a new scholarship and helped fund the Diamonds for Kahoks future athletic complex. The Karyn Kitley Memorial Scholarship
The Karyn Kitley Memorial Scholarship honors Bryan’s wife, a dedicated educator and Speech-Language Pathologist who devoted her career to helping children succeed.
“I had been considering doing something in Karyn’s memory since she passed away in March 2022,” said Kitley. “I decided on the educational scholarship because of her passion for her SLP career, and how satisfying she found it to be able to help her students make positive progress.” Inspired by her son’s early experiences with speech services, Karyn was in her 30s when she pursued a second career in speech-language pathology. Over a 21-year span she impacted countless students by celebrating even the smallest improvements that gave them the ability to succeed in and out of the classroom. “Karyn understood the importance of language and how it makes a difference in young lives,” he said. “Our youngest son suffered from chronic ear infections very early in life that impacted his speech development. Karyn knew firsthand how little breakthroughs led to big growth.”
Outside of her career and caring for her two boys, Karyn mentored young girls through the Girls on the Run program. She was a gifted quilter who created many keepsakes for family and friends, as well as customers who sought her handiwork to capture their own memories. The scholarship provides $1,000 annually for up to four years, with preference given to students pursuing a career as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
“Karyn was constantly looking to improve her skills and educational level to help her students,” said Kitley. “The scholarship recipients should be enthusiastic, inquisitive and compassionate. I hope they realize there are people outside their immediate family and friends that want to inspire them to succeed.” Support for Diamonds for Kahoks Diamonds for Kahoks is a facility improvement project currently underway to enhance athletic and community spaces for Collinsville High School students and the broader community. When completed, this project will feature high-quality baseball and softball fields, a multipurpose soccer and football field, as well as essential amenities including a concession stand, restrooms and parking. Kitley, whose grandson plays baseball for CHS, realized he could make a difference in the community by supporting the Diamonds for Kahoks initiative to upgrade and move the Kahok baseball fields to the school’s campus. “I have thought for some time that Collinsville’s physical sports facilities, particularly for baseball, have fallen behind,” he said, “I think the new athletic complex will bring a sense of pride to the athletes, students and educational staff. I hope other residents might be encouraged to offer financial support at some level if they see other people from their community donating.”
Through his contribution to Diamonds for Kahoks, Kitley wants to demonstrate the importance of supporting the school community beyond what is accomplished through property taxes and the board of education’s allowed budget. “I feel it is important to support the community in which you live,” adds Kitley. “In addition to adding to the quality of life for those of us living here, the new facilities may improve visitors’ impressions of Collinsville.” Why Donate Through the Collinsville Area Community Foundation? Bryan Kitley is a proud Kahok. Raised in Collinsville, he and Karyn met while both were attending Blackburn College. They married in 1976 and eventually moved to the Chicago area where they started a family. A job opportunity with a Fortune 500 company in the area lured the Kitleys to Bryan’s hometown where they remained planted. Their sons both graduated from CHS. Kitley learned about the Collinsville Area Community Foundation through conversations with his daughter-in-law, Mary Kitley, and Collinsville CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich.
“I felt that CACF offered the best option for being able to donate directly to the areas that I desired to support,” Kitley said. “CACF’s purpose is to support our students, give back to our communities, and provide a meaningful pathway for individuals, families and businesses to make a lasting difference,” said Superintendent Dr. Skertich. “From the first time I met Mr. Kitley, it was clear that his focus was on helping students pursue their post-secondary education and enriching campus life at CHS,” added Skertich. “On behalf of the district and the foundation, we are incredibly grateful for his generosity, commitment to our students, and willingness to give back to the community.”
Kitley encourages others to utilize CACF to give back to the community and create their own legacy. In addition to scholarships and school district initiatives, CACF provides opportunities to support community projects and charitable organizations. The Collinsville Area Community Foundation operates as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring all gifts and contributions remain tax deductible. CACF welcomes and distributes donations or legacy bequests from local citizens, organizations and corporate partners. To discover more or to provide financial support for a specific scholarship or local improvement initiative, please visit the foundation’s website.
