Fifteen students win scholarship awards

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Fifteen Michigan students will head to college this fall with financial assistance from the Michigan Retailers Association.

They’ll receive a total of $12,500 in scholarships funded by the Michigan Retailers Foundation, a nonprofit educational organization established by MRA. The awards are designed to benefit MRA members and their employees and families.

“Young people applied for these scholarships in record numbers again this year,” said Larry Meyer, MRA chairman and CEO.

“We’re pleased to have the chance to help retail families around the state further their education.”

MRA scholarship recipients for the 2003-04 school year are:

Brandy Brideau, of Clinton Township, daughter of Margaret Brideau, an employee at Gardner-White Furniture in Warren. She is valedictorian for the class of 2003 at Mount Clemens High School and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in East Lansing in the fall.

Charlotte Burns, of Comstock Park, daughter of Thomas Burns, an employee at Grand Rapids Popcorn Company in Comstock Park. She is a graduate of Sparta High School and will be a sophomore at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Carolyn Commer, of Grosse Pointe Park, daughter of Kent Commer, an employee at The Little Book Shoppe in Plymouth. She is a graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School and will be a freshman at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.

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 in Holland. She won a scholarship last year as well.

Aaron Davidson, of Ann Arbor, son of Edward Davidson, an employee at Ann Arbor Bivouac Inc. in Ann Arbor. He is a graduate of Huron High School and will be a freshman at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

Danielle 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 freshman at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.
Finco received the Michigan Retailers Services, Inc. Scholarship, funded by contributions from the wholly-owned subsidiary of MRA that delivers services to the membership.

Katie Hill, of Tawas City, daughter of David Hill, an employee at Branham’s Jewelry Store in East Tawas. She is a graduate of Tawas Area High School and will be a freshman at Calvin College in Grand Rapids.

Katherine Mason, of Grand Rapids, daughter of Paula Mason, an employee at Papers Plus in Grand Rapids. She is a graduate of East Grand Rapids High School and will be a freshman at the University of Michigan.

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 senior 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 and 2002.

Jeffrey Mulder, of Holland, son of Lori Mulder, an employee at Hope College in Holland. He is a graduate of Holland Christian High School and will be a freshman at Hope College.

Jeffrey Najor, of Bloomfield Hills, son of Gerald Najor, an employee at Fraser Drugs in Detroit. He is a graduate of Brother Rice High School and will be a freshman at Albion College in Albion.
Najor received the Nathan Rosenfeld Scholarship, named for the founder of Jacobson Stores, Inc.

Andrea Schramski, daughter of Kathy Schramski, an employee at Rogers Department Store in Grand Rapids. She is a graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School and will be a sophomore at Grand Valley State University in Allendale.
Schramski received the Retailers Fund Scholarship, funded by contributions from MRA’s self-funded workers’ compensation insurance program.

Christin Tomlin, of Sumner, daughter of Tom Tomlin, an employee at The Scripture Palace in Alma. She is a graduate of Reeths-Puffer High School in Muskegon and will be a sophomore at Alma College in Alma.

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 junior at the University of Michigan. She also received an MRA scholarship in 2001 and 2002.
Tucker received the D. Larry Sherman Scholarship, named for MRA Board of Directors member and former chairman D. Larry Sherman.

T. Patrick VanAntwerp, of St. Joseph, son of Timothy VanAntwerp, an employee at CareLinc Medical Equipment in Grandville. He is a graduate of St. Joseph High School and will be a freshman at Ferris State University in Big Rapids.

MRA’s scholarship program is managed by Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc., in Nashville, Tennessee. The recipients are selected by a panel of educators based on above-average academic achievement and extracurricular involvement, which can include part-time employment. Financial need is not a consideration.

Public university students receive $750 and private college students receive $1,000.

Despite growth in the foundation’s assets this year, declining interest rates limited the amount of funds available for awards, keeping the number of scholarships the same as in 2002.

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