MRA gives record 45 scholarships

A record 45 students will head to college this fall with a total of $43,000 in financial assistance from the Michigan Retailers Association, in the tenth year of the scholarship program.

Each scholarship is funded by the Michigan Retailers Foundation, a nonprofit educational organization established by MRA to benefit MRA members and their employees and families.

Forty-one students will receive $1,000 for one year at a public or private college or university and four will receive $500 for one year at a community college.

The amount awarded this year is 21 percent higher than last year, and nearly 10 times the amount given in 1997, the program’s first year. In its 10-year history, $198,000 has been awarded in 218 scholarships to students who are employees or the children of employees of MRA members.

“The Michigan Retailers Foundation and its scholarship program are a true success story and a top priority for the Board of Directors,” said MRA President and CEO James P. Hallan. “We are delighted to mark the tenth anniversary of the program by topping all previous records.”

MRA’s scholarship program is 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 students will receive scholarships for the 2008-09 academic year from the Michigan Retailers Association:

Willa F. Booth, of Chelsea, an employee at Dayspring Gifts in Chelsea. She is a graduate of Chelsea High School and will be a freshman at Northwood University in Midland in the fall.

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

Ross W. Campbell, of Livonia, son of Bruce and Buff Campbell. Bruce is an employee at Just Jewelers in Farmington. Ross is a graduate of Stevenson High School and will be a freshman at Wayne State University in Detroit in the fall.

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

Andrew J. Dedrick, of Horton, son of Debra Dedrick. Debra is an employee at Braun’s Home Furnishings in Jackson. Andrew is a graduate of Hanover Horton High School and will be a sophomore at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo in the fall. Dedrick received the Nathan Rosenfeld Scholarship, named for the founder of Jacobson Stores, Inc.

Christina M. Demirjian, of W. Bloomfield, daughter of Hagop and Silva Demirjian. Hagop is an employee at Mastercraft Jewelers in Livonia. Christina is a graduate of Mercy High School in Farmington Hills and will be a freshman at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, in the fall.

Demirjian received the D. Larry Sherman Scholarship, named for MRA board treasurer and former chairman D. Larry Sherman.

Jessica A. Gutowski and Walter D. Gutowski, Jr., of Grand Rapids, children of Walt and Amy Gutowski. The family owns Swift Printing in Grand Rapids. Both are graduates of West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids. Jessica will be a senior at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, in the fall. Walt Jr. will be a sophomore at the same school.

Walt Jr. received the Fred E. and Lillian Sherman Scholarship, funded by MRA board member Sherman in honor of his parents, founders of Sherman Shoes. He also received this scholarship last year.

Daniel A. VanSlooten, of Holland, son of Timothy and Diane VanSlooten. Timothy is an employee at Thomas A. Davis Jewelers in Holland. Daniel is a graduate of Holland Christian High School and will be a freshman at Calvin College in Grand Rapids in the fall.

VanSlooten received the Retailers Mutual Scholarship, funded by contributions from MRA’s workers’ compensation insurance program.

Peter D. Cantin, of Harrison Township, son of David and Nancy Cantin. Nancy is an employee at Target in Chesterfield Township. Peter is a graduate of L’Anse Creuse High School and will be a sophomore at Michigan State University in East Lansing in the fall.

Jeffrey C. Kidd, of Flint, an employee at Target in Flint. He is a graduate of Kearsley High School and will be a freshman at Baker College of Auburn Hills in the fall.

Jacob R. Sixbery, of Hartland, an employee at Target in Brighton. He is a graduate of Hartland High School and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in the fall.

Cantin, Kidd and Sixbery 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.

Olivia P. Arbaugh, of Harbor Springs, daughter of Steve and Laura Arbaugh. Laura is an employee at Monogram Goods in Harbor Springs. Olivia is a graduate of Harbor Springs High School and will be a freshman at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, in the fall.

Danielle M. Archambo, of Traverse City, daughter of Duane and Renee Archambo. Duane is owner of Archambo Enterprises, Inc. Danielle is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and will be a sophomore at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in the fall.

Bryanna Bernth, of Greenville, daughter of Mike and Monica Bernth. Monica is an employee at Smith, Houghey, Rice and Roegge in Grand Rapids. Bryanna is a graduate of Greenville Senior High School and will be a freshman at Ferris State University in Big Rapids in the fall.

Andrew J. Bewell, of Lowell, son of Jim Bewell of Grand Rapids and Sandra Bewell of Lowell. Sandra is an employee at Dentistry By Design/Dr. Benjamin Amato in Grand Rapids. Andrew is a graduate of Lowell High School and will be a freshman at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant in the fall.

Jessica R. Cherry, of Bay City, daughter of Mike and Julie Cherry. Jessica works at her father’s business, Formula Cut Hair & Nail Studio in Saginaw. She is a graduate of All Saints High School in Bay City and will be a junior at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids in the fall. She also received an MRA scholarship last year.

Kayla M. Cousineau, of Rose City, an employee at Sunrise Cafe in Lupton. She is a graduate of Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch and will be a freshman at Kirtland Community College in Roscommon in the fall.

Timothy D. Drummond, of Holland, an employee at Drummond Marine Inc. in Holland. He is a graduate of Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids and will be a freshman at Northern Michigan University in Marquette in the fall.

Sarah Fisher, of Cadillac, daughter of Larry and Christine Fisher. Christine is owner of Chris Fisher Art in Cadillac. Sarah is a graduate of Cadillac High School and will be a freshman at Central Michigan University in the fall.

Emma A. Garner, of Mt. Pleasant, daughter of Alan and Connie Garner. Alan and Connie are employees at Packaging Corporation of America in Edmore. Emma is a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School and will be a freshman at Central Michigan University in the fall.

Lauren A. Hansard, of Highland, daughter of Gregory and Jannette Hansard. Gregory is an employee at Walgreen’s in Southfield. Lauren is a graduate of Lakeland High School and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in the fall.

Jacob D. Helmka, of Cedar, son of Keith and Wendy Helmka. Keith is an employee at Target in Traverse City. Jacob is a graduate of Traverse City West Senior High School and will be a freshman at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida in the fall.

Katherine L. Hempstead, of Petoskey, daughter of Michael and Kyle Hempstead. Michael and Kyle are both employees at KSS Inc. in Petoskey. Katherine is a graduate of Petoskey High School and will be a freshman at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey in the fall.

Kristen Huizinga, of Jenison, daughter of Keith and Kathy Huizinga. Kathy is an employee at Wabeke Lawn Service and Snowplowing Inc. in Hudsonville. Kristen is a graduate of Jenison High School and will be a freshman at University of Detroit Mercy in the fall.

Mitchell N. Irwin, of Kentwood, son of Sharon Irwin, an employee at Miller Johnson in Grand Rapids. Mitchell is a graduate of East Kentwood High School and will be a sophomore at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Matthew J. Kaminski, of Armada, son of James and Karin Kaminski. Karin is an employee at Target in Shelby Township. Matthew is a graduate of Armada High School and will be a freshman at Central Michigan University in the fall.

Jason A. Kruithof, of Hamilton, son of Dan and Michelle Kruithof. Dan is an employee at Holland Automotive Machine in Holland. Jason is a graduate of Hamilton Junior Senior High School and will be a freshman at Western Michigan University in the fall.

Eric E. Kufta, of Muskegon, son of Craig and Ann Kufta. Craig is an employee at The Camera Shop in Muskegon. Eric is a graduate of Muskegon Catholic Central Senior High School and will be a freshman at University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado in the fall.

Julie Mason, of Sault Ste. Marie, daughter of Steven and Cathy Mason. Steven is an employee at Lighthouse Computers, Inc. in Sault Ste. Marie. Julie is a graduate of Sault Area High School and will be a sophomore at Northwood University in Midland in the fall. She also received an MRA scholarship last year.

Emily M. McCabe, of Canton, daughter of Timothy and Nannette McCabe. Nannette is an employee at Target in Canton. Emily is a graduate of Salem High School and will be a freshman at the University of Central Florida in Orlando in the fall.

Dave Medawar, of Grand Rapids, son of Paul and Melba Medawar. Paul is the owner of Paul Medawar Fine Jewelry in Grand Rapids, where Dave also works. He is a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School and will be a junior at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Michelle E. Meschini, of Sterling Heights, an employee at Lucy and Ethyl’s in Clinton Township. She is a graduate of Stevenson High School in Livonia and will be a sophomore at Concordia University in Ann Arbor in the fall. She also received an MRA scholarship last year.

Maxim M. Nestorowich, of Chesterfield Township, son of Mark and Melanie Nestorowich. Melanie is an employee at Target in Chesterfield Township. Maxim is a graduate of Anchor Bay High School in Fair Haven and will be a sophomore at Michigan Technological University in Houghton in the fall.

Sarah L. Peak, of Alma, an employee at Kmart in Alma. She is a graduate of Alma High School and will be a freshman at Northwood University in the fall.

LeeAnna Pekel, of Wayland, daughter of Sheri Pekel of Wayland and Timothy Pekel of Shelbyville. Sheri is an employee at Kountry Kid Kare in Caledonia. LeeAnna is a graduate of Wayland High School and will be a sophomore at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota, in the fall.

Alex R. Rohloff, of Trenton, son of Russell and Josephine Rohloff. Josephine is an employee at The Browsery Gift Shop Hallmark in Allen Park. Alex is a graduate of Trenton High School and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Kylie R. Schultz, of Middleville, daughter of Robert and Theresa Schultz. Robert is an employee at Van Laars Auto Service in Grand Rapids. Kylie is a graduate of Thornapple-Kellogg High School and will be a freshman at Ferris State University in the fall.

Andrew D. Seaford, of Prudenville, an employee at Wal-Mart in Houghton Lake. He is a graduate of Houghton Lake High School and will be a freshman at Kirtland Community College in the fall.

Tyler M. Tracy, of Quincy, son of Jody Tracy of Quincey and Tom Tracy of Coldwater. Jody is an employee at K & B Mechanical in Quincy. Tyler is a graduate of Quincy High School and will be a freshman at Spring Arbor University in the fall.

Colin P. Uren, of Grand Rapids, son of Vicki Uren. Vicki is an employee at Miller Johnson in Grand Rapids. Colin is a graduate of Northview High School and will be a junior at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Joy E. VanderWeele, of Byron Center, daughter of Dale and Marlene VanderWeele. Marlene is an employee at J.A. Dekkinga MD in Grandville. Joy is a graduate of Byron Center High School and will be a junior at Michigan State University in the fall.

Nicole D. Vander Zouwen, of Hudsonville, daughter of Robert and Mary Jo Vander Zouwen. Mary Jo owns Railside Travel in Byron Center. Nicole is a graduate of Hudsonville High School and will be a junior at Hope College in Holland in the fall. She also received an MRA scholarship last year.

Zachary E. Vincent, of Jackson, an employee at Target in Jackson. He is a graduate of Hanover Horton High School in Horton and will be a freshman at Jackson Community College in the fall.

Bianca M. Whitney, of Richland, daughter of Craig and Judy Whitney. Craig is an employee at Tire Wholesalers, Inc. in Kalamazoo. Bianca is a graduate of Gull Lake High School and will be a sophomore at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the fall.

Tessa M. Wiley, of Holland, daughter of Doug and Annie Wiley. Annie is an employee at Tom Allen Enterprises, Inc. in Holland. Tessa is a graduate of West Ottawa High School North and will be a freshman at Baker College of Muskegon in the fall.

Sara E. Woodwyk, of Holland, daughter of David and Keri Woodwyk. Keri is an employee at Line Designs, LLC in Holland. Sara is a graduate of Holland Christian High School and will be a sophomore at Grand Valley State University in the fall.