Hold on to your hats! This April, Elks scholars are coming to the Windy City. On April 25, the top 20 Most Valuable Student National Finalists will travel to Chicago for the first ever MVS Leadership Weekend.

Once in Chicago, the scholars will jump into getting to know each other and learn about their Elks family through team-building activities and workshops—and of course, they’ll dig into in some Chicago-style pizza.

Saturday morning will kick off with interviews with the MVS national judges. All 20 Elks scholars attending the Leadership Weekend will receive at least a $20,000 scholarship. Through interviews with a panel of national judges, they’ll be vying for top awards of $30,000, $40,000 and $50,000!

When the interviews conclude, the new Elks family members will embark on a service trip at Chicago’s Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. They’ll wrap up a potentially life-changing day with an evening cruise on beautiful Lake Michigan.

When the Elks scholars depart on Sunday morning, we know they will be proud new members of the Elks family and they’ll take with them memories that will last a lifetime.

To follow along with all the action during the weekend, use #ElksFamily and follow @ElksScholars on Twitter, like the Elks Scholar Facebook page, and check out elksscholars on Instagram. Join us as the new Elks scholars take the Second City by storm!

In 2013-14, the Elks National Foundation allocated $2.44 million to fund 500 four-year Most Valuable Student Scholarships, which now feature 20 top awards of at least $20,000. For more information about the Most Valuable Student scholarship program, including eligibility and deadlines, visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars.