2009 Scholarships Recipients

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Outstate Michigan awarded 10 2009 high school graduates with $80,000 in college scholarships.  Of the 400 applicants from cities all over Michigan, these 10 were selected to each receive $2,000 a year for four years at the college of their choice.  The scholarships were awarded at RMHC’s annual scholarship banquet in Ada, Michigan.  The keynote speaker for the banquet was Dean Marsha D. Rappley, M.D. from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University.

Click here to see their stories

	Conrad N Haynes
	Grand Rapids
	Conrad, a graduate of East Kentwood High School, has been anything but bored during his high school career.  As a participant in musical theatre, marching band, wind ensemble, tennis, Spanish club, and secretary of the National Honor Society (just to name a few), it’s a wonder that he has even had time to sleep.  He has, however, managed to all of this and more while working a part-time job and maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.  Conrad plans to attend the Duke University in the fall.

	Meredith K Westerlund
	Owosso
	Meredith is a graduate of Corunna High School and it is clear that she keeps a jam-packed schedule.  As the vice president of the Youth Advisory Council of the Shiawassee Community Foundation, she helps to give grants to community programs that support local youth.  She has also worked as a volunteer for several organizations, including the Red Cross Mobile Food Pantry, Corunna High School’s children’s basketball camp and the New Lothrop Nazarene’s vacation Bible school.  She plans to attend the University of Michigan in the fall and major in political science.

	Danielle Haydell
	East Jordan
	Danielle graduated from Central Lake High School this year.  In addition to serving as a tutor and mentor for younger students, she volunteers at her church, is a member if the National Technical Honor Society, and interned with the Three Lakes Association where she studied the condition of Michigan’s lakes.  As a student at the Mechanical Technology Academy, she has excelled in math and science.  This is why she will be attending Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame and pursuing Engineering.

	Amanda Brenske
	Flushing
	Amanda graduated from Flushing Senior High School this year with a 4.045 GPA and is ranked third in her class.  She is an extremely active in her community having volunteered her time at local food banks, soup kitchens, church mission trips, and in groups such as S.A.D.D – Students Against Destructive Decisions.  When she is not volunteering or maintaining all A’s in the classroom, Amanda also has a part-time job.  In the fall, she plans to attend the University of Michigan and pursue a career in pharmaceutical sciences.

 

	Stephanie Schutter
	Union
	Few people can say that they smile while washing dishes.  Stephanie can and has done so for the past few years as a volunteer kitchen staff member at Bair Lake Bible Camp.  Her commitment to her community is evident through the list of activities that she is involved with, including Toys for Tots, Red Cross, tutoring, and varsity sports.  This involvement is in addition to maintaining a 4.3 GPA at Constantine High School.  In the fall, she plans to attend the University of Michigan and study graphic design.

 

	Jade Lee
	Berrien Springs
	Jade graduated this year from Berrien Springs High School as the top student in her class.  While maintaining peak performance in the classroom, she served as the vice-president of the National Honor Society and the Business Professionals of America Club, volunteers with the Humane Society, Special Olympics and the Lakeland Regional Medical Center.  She has also received several accolades for her skills as a pianist.  Jade has a strong interest in math and science and, in the fall, will attend the University of Michigan to pursue a career as a pharmacist.

 

	Becky Hanson
	Harbor Beach
	Becky, a graduate of Harbor Beach Community School, can add president of Student Council, editor-in-chief of the yearbook staff and student athlete as just a few titles she has earned.  She plans to apply skills such as patience and perseverance that she has learned working on her family’s farm as she attends Northwood University where she will study fashion merchandising.

 

	Erica Bartholomew
	Coloma
	Erica’s passion for teaching and mentoring students is evident through her extracurricular activities.  Future Teachers of America, a volunteer for the Curios Kids Museum, youth group leader and Students Against Destructive Decisions are just a few of her activities.  She wants to work with teenagers and excite them about education.  This is why Erica will be attending Cedarville University in Ohio and majoring in Spanish to eventually teach secondary education.

 

	Kasey Kushion
	Freeland
	Kasey graduated from Hemlock High School this year and, in addition to her part-time job, she has been a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, assistant coach for the Hemlock Middle School Pom Pom team, National Honor Society Secretary, a soup kitchen volunteer and a volunteer at Covenant Healthcare Hospital.  Her involvement in the high school Pom Pom team has earned her a place on the Mid-American All-Star Team.  Kasey plans to attend Central Michigan University this fall where she will study for a career as a physician’s assistant.

 

	Minh Nguyet Dinh
	Kentwood
	Minh, a graduate of East Kentwood High School, has been a leader in the classroom and the community through her involvement in activities such as Student Council and the Red Cross.  After a medical emergency struck her family a few years ago, Minh developed a strong appreciation an admiration for the doctors and technology that helped to save her mother’s life.  This experience will be her inspiration as she attends the University of Michigan in the fall and seeks a studies pre-med.