’06 scholarship recipients understand volunteerism

Graduating high school senior Joel Maidens will go to Romania for five weeks this summer to work with orphans there. He’s one of several recipients of this year’s MRA scholarships who are traveling to perform community service or mission work: Beth Schrotenboer in Mexico; Kyle Cooper in Guatemala, New York and Mississippi; Will Bolton in Guatemala and Honduras.

Accomplished in sports, music, theater and other pleasurable pursuits, this group of recipients also understands volunteerism and contributing to their communities. Some are peer tutors or volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, some work with Students Against Drunk Driving.

Some participated in their school’s Model United Nations (Rebecca Mansfield served as its president); others served on Student Council or, in the case of Jake Deerfield, on the Grand Rapids Mayor’s Youth Council.

“I’m inspired when I read about the young people who will receive MRA scholarships this year,” said Larry Meyer, MRA’s Chairman and CEO. “Their accomplishments speak volumes about the families that raised them—the values taught and the support given.”

MRA’s scholarship program is funded by Michigan Retailers Foundation and managed by Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc., in Nashville, Tennessee. A panel of educators selects the recipients based on above-average academic achievement and extracurricular involvement. Financial need is not a consideration.

The following 25 students will receive a total of $23,000 in financial assistance for the 2006-07 academic year from the Michigan Retailers Association.

Sarah Barbuscak, of Berkley, daughter of Matthew and Karen Barbuscak. Karen is an employee at The Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier Shop in Berkley. Sarah is a graduate of North Farmington High School and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Barbuscak received the Foundation’s Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Scholarship, funded by MRA board member Peter Sobelton and his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Douglas Stranahan, in honor of the Sobeltons’ parents, founders of Churchills Ltd.

Stephen Mason, of Grand Rapids, son of Darrell and Paula Mason. Paula is an employee at Papers Plus in Grand Rapids. Steve is a graduate of East Grand Rapids High School and will be a freshman at the University of Michigan in the fall.

Steve received the D. Larry Sherman Scholarship, named for MRA board member and former chairman D. Larry Sherman. Steve’s sister, Katie, received an MRA scholarship in 2004.

William Bolton, of Grosse Pointe Shores, an employee at Hickey’s Walton-Pierce in Grosse Pointe. He is a graduate of University of Detroit Jesuit High School and will be a freshman at Loyola University in Chicago in the fall.

Will received the Fred E. and Lillian Sherman Scholarship, also funded by MRA board member Sherman in honor of his parents, founders of Sherman Shoes.

Gage Frosch, of Hillsdale, son of Tim and Annette Frosch. Annette is an employee at Nash Drugs in Hillsdale. Gage is a graduate of Hillsdale High School and will be a freshman at Hillsdale College in the fall.

Gage received the Nathan Rosenfeld Scholarship, named for the founder of Jacobson Stores, Inc.

Kimberley Tansey, of Lansing, daughter of Jon and Marilyn Tansey. Jon is an employee at Women’s Golf Academy in Lansing. Kimberley is a graduate of Grand Ledge High School and will be a senior at Western Michigan University in the fall. She also received an MRA scholarship last year.

Kimberley received the Michigan Retailers Services, Inc., Scholarship, funded by contributions from the wholly owned subsidiary of MRA that delivers services to the membership.

Brian Teysen, of Mackinaw City, son of Greg and Vicki Teysen, owners of Teysen’s Gift Shop in Mackinaw City. He is a graduate of Mackinaw City High School and will be a junior at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Brian received the Retailers Mutual Scholarship (formerly the Retailers Fund Scholarship), funded by contributions from MRA’s workers’ compensation insurance program.

Rebecca Mansfield, of Farmington Hills, daughter of Michael and Maureen Mansfield. Maureen is an employee at Deborah’s Invitations in Southfield. Rebecca is a graduate of Farmington Harrison High School and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in the fall.

Lauren Nest, of West Bloomfield, daughter of Jeffrey Nest, of Royal Oak, and Suzanne Nest, of West Bloomfield. Lauren and her father work at his store, The Source, Ltd., in Southfield. She is a graduate of West Bloomfield High School and will be a senior at Michigan State University in the fall. Lauren also received an MRA scholarship last year.

Rebecca Mansfield and Lauren Nest each received a Target Corporation Scholarship, funded by contributions from Target and MRA board member Joe Swanson, Target’s district team leader for north metro Detroit.

Kyle Cooper, of Hudsonville, son of Dan and Dawn Cooper. Dawn is an employee at Truck & Van Specialties in Zeeland. Kyle is a graduate of Zeeland High School and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Jacob Deerfield, of Grand Rapids, son of Steve and Robin Deerfield. Robin is an employee at Threshold Inc. in Grand Rapids. Jake is a graduate of New Century Montessori School and will be a sophomore at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Christina Dixon, of Chesterfield Township, an employee at Art Van Furniture’s Chesterfield location. She is a graduate of Anchor Bay High School in Fair Haven and will be a sophomore at Macomb Community College in the fall.

Kyle Gwilt, of Grand Ledge, son of Kim and Cathy Gwilt. Cathy is an employee at Enerco Corporation in Grand Ledge. Kyle is a graduate of Grand Ledge High School and will be a freshman at Great Lakes Christian College in the fall.

Jeffrey Hoogewind, of Zeeland, son of Randy and Norma Hoogewind. Norma is an employee at Pine Creek Construction in Holland. Jeffrey is a graduate of Zeeland East High School and will be a freshman at Western Michigan University in the fall.

Alexandria Hutchins, of Waunakee, Wisconsin, daughter of Gary and Michele Hutchins. Gary is co-owner of Hutchins Jewelry in Jenison. Alexandria is a graduate of Waunakee High School and will be a freshman at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawaii, in the fall.

Joel Kraker, of Hudsonville, son of Jeff and Heather Kraker. Jeff is an employee at IMS Computer Systems in Hudsonville. Joel is a graduate of Tri-Unity Christian School in Wyoming and will be a freshman at Davenport University in the fall.

Lori Landheer, of Hudsonville, an employee at Byron Oil Company in Byron Center. She is a graduate of Unity Christian School and will be a sophomore at Baker College of Muskegon in the fall.

Joel Maidens, of Hudsonville, son of Howard and Linda Maidens. Linda is an employee at Wyoming Family Medicine PC in Wyoming. Joel is a graduate of Jenison High School and will be a freshman at Central College in Pella, Iowa, in the fall.

Diana Murray, of Mount Pleasant, daughter of Susan and Paul Murray. Susan is owner of Murray & Associates and Cornerstone Professionals in Mount Pleasant. Diana is a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in the fall.

Tonya Nagelkirk, of Allegan, daughter of Keith and Debbie Nagelkirk. Keith is an employee at G & K Fabtek in Allegan. Tonya is a graduate of Hamilton High School and will be a freshman at Grand Rapids Community College in the fall.

Andrew Payment, of Muskegon, son of Chris and Terri Payment. Terri is an employee at Sportsman’s Restaurant and Bar in Ludington. Drew is a graduate of Muskegon Catholic Central High School and will be a freshman at Muskegon Community College in the fall.

Andrew Rausch, of Gowen, son of Richard and Bonnie Rausch. Richard is an employee at Carelinc Medical Equipment in Greenville. Andy is a graduate of Greenville High School and will be a freshman at Ferris State University in the fall.

Beth Schrotenboer, of Zeeland, daughter of Richard and Sharon Schrotenboer. Richard is an employee at JIMDI Inc. in West Olive. Beth is a graduate of Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Amanda Sleeper, of Farmington Hills, daughter of Robert and Beverly Sleeper. Beverly is an employee at Art Van Furniture in Warren. Amanda is a graduate of Clarenceville High School in Livonia and will be a freshman at Oakland Community College in the fall.

Aaron Tennant, of St. Louis, son of Ron and Jane Tennant. Jane is an employee at Morbark Inc. in Winn. Aaron is a graduate of St. Louis High School and will be a freshman at Central Michigan University in the fall.

Meghan Witkowski, of Yale, daughter of Mike and Cathy Witkowski. Cathy is an employee at Montesssori Children’s Academy in St. Clair. Meghan is a graduate of Yale High School and will be a sophomore at Grand Valley State University in the fall.