MRA Scholarship Students

a remarkable group

Christi Tomlin is, like her fellow students, hitting the books again after the holiday break. But this semester it’s in Quito, Ecuador, where she is studying at the Academia Latino Americana, Alma College’s sister school. If all goes as planned, she will also intern at a local marketing firm in Quito.

Danielle Finco, a freshman pursuing public relations and advertising at the University of Minnesota, is volunteering 10 hours a week through the “America Reads” program to help inner-city kids develop a love of reading.

Brandy Brideau is working hard to do well at MSU’s pre-nursing program, so she can become the kind of nurse she found inspiring when, more than four years ago, she battled and overcame Guillain-Barre syndrome. Guillain-Barre is a dangerous nervous system affliction that causes paralysis and forced Brideau to require a respirator to maintain her breathing.

“I got seriously sick in England, and a wonderful nurse was assigned to me; she stayed with me the whole time. She was amazing—I still keep in touch with her. It changed my whole thinking about what I wanted to be,” explained Brideau.

“Before then, I was not interested in the sciences. But this nurse made me see the huge impact a nurse can have on someone’s life. I want to be able to do that for others now.”

Tomlin, Finco and Brideau are just three of the 15 remarkable students who received MRA scholarships for the 2003-2004 academic year.

As the MRA scholarship competition begins for the 2004-2005 academic year, Michigan Retailers caught up with last year’s recipients to find out how they’re doing.

The first-years—including Brideau (whose hometown is Mt. Clemens), Carolyn Commer (Grosse Pointe Park), Aaron Davidson (Ann Arbor), Katie Hill (East Tawas), Katie Mason (Grand Rapids), Jeffrey Mulder (Holland), Jeffrey Najor (Bloomfield Hills) and Patrick Van Antwerp (St. Joseph)—report what one expects to hear from freshmen: college life is fun but overwhelming, a big adjustment from high school but “totally amazing.”

Students in their second, third or fourth year—including Tomlin (Alma), Charlotte Burns (Comstock Park), Antoinette Mazzoni (Northville), Andrea Schramski (Grand Rapids) and Calise Tucker (Southfield)—are glad to be taking courses required for their majors, despite the greater challenges.

Sophomore Schramski is studying nursing, although it took her a year to discover her direction. “When I was growing up, everyone said I would be a nurse. I told them no, but now here I am, switching to nursing” she said.

Schramski is glad Grand Valley State University’s nursing program has been revamped, making it more challenging than in the past. “It should make my degree more meaningful and valuable.”

Burns and Mazzoni said they are enjoying challenges of upper- level coursework.

Burns is pursuing “Organizational Studies,” a major unique to the University of Michigan. She may one day advise businesses on improving their organizational structures.

Mazzoni, who has received an MRA scholarship for three years, is studying interior design at Michigan State University.

“It’s challenging but so much fun. I have the same classes with the same group of students, and we’re becoming very close,” said Mazzoni.

Others say their coursework is easier now that they can focus on their strengths and interests.

“I find myself doing better, now that most of my courses are in my major,” reported Tucker, who is studying mechanical engineering at U of M. She has interned at General Motors, and may take a position there after completing her degree, but she has bigger plans.

“Eventually, I would like to be an entrepreneur and open my own small business, probably in manufacturing,” she said.

Many of these students were working in their parents’ stores over the holiday break. Mazzoni explained, “if I want to see my family over the holidays, that’s where I’ll find them!”

Most said they have worked occasionally at their parents’ businesses since they were in high school. It’s a normal part of life for those in retail, and whether they choose to go into a similar field or not, all acknowledged that they have learned from their experience in retail.

“My dad is a small-business man and I’ve learned a lot from him. I’ve gotten to observe him both with his own small business and with his more corporate job. It’s helped me to evaluate my options,” said VanAntwerp.

Another common theme among the group is a general satisfaction with their choice of school.

“Going to a liberal arts school like Alma College is so perfect for me. I know it’s more expensive, but to me, it’s worth it. I’m really glad I can work it out to go there, and the scholarship really helps,” said Tomlin.

“I was really excited to go to Ferris State University. My grandma, grandfather and several uncles went to Ferris State. I really love the school, and especially the honors program I’m in,” remarked VanAntwerp.

Jeffrey Najor feels the same way about Albion: “It’s a great school—they really look after you and it has a great pre-med program.”

Perhaps most enthusiastic about her choice is Carolyn Commer, a freshman at The Evergreen State College, in Olympia, Washington, a nontraditional school that focuses on “creating a sense of community-based learning” as she described it. “I’m extremely pleased—it has exceeded my expectations,” she added enthusiastically.

At Evergreen, Commer is studying “character education” and “integrated curriculum development.” A memorable course she took this fall showed her that “academic work can actually impact your character, your self-understanding—it makes you want to be a better person.”

For Commer, the connection between academic work and “our real lives” is important. “The connections are there when you look for them. This semester has proven to me how powerful our education system can be in developing the character of our children. It has helped me gain confidence in my goals.”

A final theme among the students is gratitude: both to the Association for the scholarships and to their parents for helping them get where they are.

“I am so, so grateful to MRA for my scholarship. I’m glad to have the chance to say thank you, because it’s a really cool program,” said Mason, who is studying art and design at the University of Michigan. Her words echoed the gratitude expressed by all of the other MRA scholarship recipients.

“My parents have three daughters in college right now, so every little bit helps,” said Danielle Finco, whose sister Chelsea received an MRA scholarship last year.

Mazzoni also feels honored to have received the scholarship, and sees it in part as a tribute to her father, Orin Mazzoni, of Orin Jewelers in Garden City.

“My dad works so hard, and I know this helps him out. He’s so involved, and this scholarship is an honor for him, too—I’m pleased he is being rewarded in this way.”

Brideau agreed. “We aren’t the richest people around, so we had to look for help. The scholarship helped me so much to get to this school—I can’t even put it in words.”

This article was written by Amy Buttery, Michigan Retailer staff writer.

More students to receive scholarships in 2004-05

At least 21 scholarships will be available to students of MRA-member families, up from 15 scholarships awarded in each of the past three years. The Michigan Retailers Association’s annual college scholarship competition begins February 1, with $21,500 in financial aid available for the 2004-2005 academic year.

The increased number of scholarships reflects greater assets in the Michigan Retailers Foundation due to the ongoing “Links to a Legacy” fund-raising campaign. Interest earnings from the assets are used to provide the scholarships.

Those eligible to apply for an MRA scholarship are high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are:

• Dependent sons and daughters of owners or full-time employees of MRA-member businesses. The parent-employee must have been employed by an MRA-member business for at least one year as of January 1, 2004 (must have begun employment by January 1, 2003);

OR

• Part-time employees who are full-time students. Part-time employees must have been employed by an MRA-member business for at least six months as of January 1, 2004 (must have begun employment by July 1, 2003).

Scholarship recipients are selected by an independent panel of educators chosen by Scholarship Program Administrators of Nashville, Tennessee, which coordinates the application and selection process for MRA and many other associations and companies.

Members will receive detailed information about the scholarship program via mail by February 2. Applications must be requested by March 15 and submitted by April 1. Students may complete the application process online at www.scholarshipadministrators.net (the access code is MIRA) or request an application by mail at rlachance@retailers.com.

Awards are $500 for community college students, $750 for public college students and $1,000 for private college students. Recipients are selected for their above-average academic performance and extracurricular activities. Financial need is not a consideration.

As the scholarship season gets underway and eligible students prepare their applications, it’s an excellent time for MRA members to consider how they can leave their mark through the “Links to a Legacy” campaign to grow the scholarship program.

“It’s exciting to see the scholarship program grow, so that even more Michigan students will receive help in their effort to get a college education, “ said Campaign Chair D. Larry Sherman.

“With budget cuts at many schools, the need is greater than ever. What better way to support the retail community than to make a contribution that will help these deserving students from retail families afford their education?”

The campaign, which started in late 2002, has already brought in $302,272, boosting the Foundation’s assets to $737,272. The campaign’s goal is to more than double the fund’s assets to $1 million by 2005.

“The campaign is doing well, but there is plenty of opportunity for more retailers to become involved and have scholarships named for themselves, their business or their family members,” said Sherman. “This is more than your average fund drive, it is a chance to leave a lasting legacy.”

For information, or to contribute, please contact MRA’s Retha Lachance at 800.366.3699 or rlachance@retailers.com.