For Immediate Release
June 10, 2002
LANSING — Fifteen students were awarded Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) college scholarships for the 2002-03 academic year.
Elizabeth Darrow, of Cheboygan, daughter of Traci Darrow, owner of Mackinac Boat Company in Mackinaw City. She is a graduate of Mackinaw City High School and will be a freshman at Hope College this fall.
Tara Dougherty, of Sault Ste. Marie, daughter of Patrick Dougherty, owner of National Office Products & Printing Co. in Sault Ste. Marie. She is a graduate of Sault Area High School and will be a freshman at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Chelsea Finco, of Ironwood, daughter of Vicky Finco, an employee at Elle Stevens Gifts in Ironwood. She is a graduate of Luther L. Wright High School and will be a junior at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Catherine Forgacs, of Britton, an employee at Carol's Hallmark in Tecumseh. She is a graduate of Britton-Macon High School and will be a senior at Eastern Michigan University.
Amy Handelman, of West Bloomfield, daughter of Nancy Handelman, an employee at Knit Knit Knit in West Bloomfield. She is a graduate of West Bloomfield High School and will be a sophomore at Michigan State University.
Antoinette Mazzoni, of Northville, daughter of Orin Mazzoni Jr., president of Orin Jewelers Inc. in Garden City. She is a graduate of Mercy High School and will be a junior at Michigan State University. Mazzoni received the Foundation's Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton scholarship, named for the founders of Churchills Ltd. She also received an MRA scholarship in 2000.
Colleen Meganck, of Rochester Hills, daughter of Noreen Meganck, an employee at J. Thomas Jewelers in Rochester Hills. She is a graduate of Notre Dame Preparatory High School and will be a sophomore at Michigan State University.
Elizabeth Miller, of Bloomfield Hills, daughter of Cynthia Miller, an employee at Elizabeth Stone Gallery in Birmingham. She is a graduate of Cranbrook Kingswood High School and will be a freshman at the University of Michigan. Miller received the D. Larry Sherman Scholarship, named for MRA Board of Directors member and former Chairman D. Larry Sherman.
Christopher Pierce, of North Muskegon, son of Gregory Pierce, an employee at Bell's of Whitehall in Whitehall. He is a graduate of North Muskegon High School and will be a junior at Eastern Michigan University.
Melissa Powers, of Allen, daughter of Paul Powers, co-owner of Powers Clothing Inc. in Jonesville. She is a graduate of Jonesville High School and will be a senior at Hillsdale College. Powers received the Nathan Rosenfeld Scholarship, named for the founder of Jacobson Stores, Inc. She also received an MRA scholarship last year.
Stephanie Reisner, of Presque Isle, daughter of Stephen Reisner, owner of Northland Interiors in Alpena. She is a graduate of Alpena High School and will be a sophomore at Central Michigan University. She also received an MRA scholarship last year.
Erin Russell, of Wyoming, daughter of Kenneth Russell, co-owner of Russell & Ballard Jewelers in Wyoming. She is a graduate of Fruitport High School and will be a senior at Grace College.
Gwen Trethewey, of Holland, daughter of Lori Trethewey, an employee at Hope College in Holland. She is a graduate of Holland High School and will be a sophomore at Michigan State University.
Calise Tucker, of Southfield, daughter of Calvin Tucker, owner of Tee Shirts Galore & More in Detroit. She is a graduate of Southfield High School and will be a sophomore at the University of Michigan. She also received an MRA scholarship last year.
Jillian Wingerter, of Commerce Township, daughter of Jerry Wingerter, vice president of Bon Ton Shoppe in Brighton. She is a graduate of Lakeland High School and will be a freshman at Saginaw Valley State University. Wingerter received the Retailers Fund Scholarship, established by MRA's self-funded workers' compensation insurance program.
The awards were funded by the Michigan Retailers Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for the benefit of MRA members and their employees and families. Recipients were selected based on academic and extracurricular achievement. Public university students receive $750 and private college students receive $1,000.
The Michigan Retailers Association is the unified voice of retailing in Michigan and the nation's largest state trade association of general merchandise retailers. MRA's more than 5,500 retail business members operate more than 12,000 stores across the state.
Note: Photos of winners are available in electronic format by contacting MRA's Retha Lachance at 800.366.3699 or rlachance@retailers.com.
