Black Diamond Scholarship event set for Saturday at ThrillHouse Event Center in Marion

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

MARION, Ill. (KBSI) — The 18th Annual Black Diamond Scholarship Event is scheduled for Saturday at the ThrillHouse Event Center inside The Oasis at the reimagined Marion Mall.

Organizers said students representing 45 high schools across Southern Illinois will be recognized during the event and awarded scholarships to support their education.

Media arrival is set for 10:45 a.m., with the program beginning at 11 a.m.

The event will be held in the newly opened ThrillHouse Event Center, a venue designed to host community gatherings and events.

Now in its 18th year, the Black Diamond Scholarship Program has awarded more than $800,000 to graduating seniors across Southern Illinois, organizers said.

Officials say the program focuses on supporting education, expanding opportunities and recognizing student achievement in the region.

Organizers encouraged media to attend and share the stories of scholarship recipients.