40 scholarships awarded for
upcoming school year

A record 40 students will head to college this fall with a total of $36,000 in financial assistance from the Michigan Retailers Association.

They’ll each receive a scholarship funded by the Michigan Retailers Foundation, a nonprofit educational organization established by MRA to benefit MRA members and their employees and families.

Thirty-two will receive $1,000 for one year at a public or private college or university and eight will receive $500 for one year at a community college.

This year’s number of scholarships is 60 percent higher than last year, when 25 scholarships were awarded. The higher number is the result of the foundation’s increased assets; interest income from foundation assets provides the funds for the scholarships.

“We’re delighted to see the continued growth in the foundation and in the number of scholarships we can offer,” said MRA Chairman and CEO Larry Meyer. “Our scholarship program is a top priority for the Board of Directors because it is an excellent way to assist young people in the retail community with their education.”

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 2007-08 academic year from the Michigan Retailers Association.

Megan K. Augustyniak, of Essexville, daughter of Russell and Wendy Augustyniak. Megan and her father are employees at St. Laurent Brothers, Inc. in Bay City. She is a graduate of Garber High School and will be a junior at Michigan State University in East Lansing in the fall.

Augustyniak received the Retailers Mutual Scholarship, funded by contributions from MRA’s workers’ compensation insurance program. Her sister, Stacy, received an MRA scholarship in 2001.

Brandt T. Ayoub, of St. Johns, an employee at Rehmann’s Clothing in St. Johns. He was homeschooled and will be a freshman at Alma College in the fall.

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

Alyxandria L. Briggs, of Williamsburg, an employee at Harbor Wear in Traverse City. She is a graduate of Elk Rapids High School and will be a sophomore at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids in the fall.

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

Troy C. Duprey, of Novi, son of Jay and Joleen Duprey. Jay is an employee at Sav-Mor Super Drugs in Tawas City. Troy is a graduate of Detroit Catholic Central High School and will be a junior at Michigan State University in the fall.

Duprey 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.

Walter D. Gutowski, Jr., of Grand Rapids, son of Walt and Amy Gutowski. The family owns Swift Printing in Grand Rapids. He is a graduate of West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in the fall.

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

Lanette D. Sloan, of Remus, daughter of Duane and Diane Pendell. Diane is an employee at Great Lakes Surgical Associates in Alma. Lanette is a graduate of Chippewa Hills High School and will be a junior at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant in the fall.
Sloan received the D. Larry Sherman Scholarship, named for MRA board member and former chairman D. Larry Sherman.

Meredith W. Krevda, of Holland, daughter of David and Peggy Krevda. Peggy is an employee at the Holland Convention Center & Visitor’s Bureau. Meredith is a graduate of Holland Senior High School and will be a senior at the University of Detroit Mercy in the fall.

James E. Robinette, of Grand Rapids, son of Ed and Alicia Robinette. The family owns Robinette’s Apple Haus in Grand Rapids. James is a graduate of Northview High School and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in the fall.

Tiffany L. Sood, of St. Clair Shores, an employee at Opal’s Hallmark in St. Clair Shores. She is a graduate of Lakeview High School and will be a freshman at Michigan State University in the fall.

Krevda, Robinette and Sood 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.

Heather D. Barringer, of Mio, an employee at Community Caring in Fairview. She is a graduate of Mio Au Sable High School and will be a sophomore at Kirtland Community College in Roscommon in the fall.

Courtney E. Bramer, of Grand Rapids, daughter of David and Vicki Bramer. David owns Brass Monkey Hydraulics in Marne. Courtney is a graduate of Calvin Christian High School and will be a freshman at Grand Rapids Community College in the fall.

Benjamin J. Broekhuizen, of Holland, son of Dan and Lisa Broekhuizen. Lisa is an employee at Gazelle Sports in Holland. Benjamin is a graduate of Holland Christian School and will be a freshman at Hope College in Holland in the fall.

Andrew Buthker, of Muskegon, an employee at Benson Drugs in Muskegon. He is a graduate of Western Michigan Christian High School in Muskegon and will be a freshman at Ferris State University in Big Rapids 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 sophomore at Delta College in University Center in the fall.

Allyson M. Dale, of Sault Ste. Marie, daughter of Steve Dale and Jennifer Roy. Jennifer owns Bourque-Roy Design and Décor in Sault Ste. Marie. Allyson is a graduate of Sault Area High School and will be a freshman at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo in the fall.

Ralene C. Everitt, of Port Huron, daughter of Ronald Everitt, Sue McFadden, Terri Everitt, and Chris Hammill. Sue is an employee at the Center for Human Resources in Port Huron. Ralene is a graduate of Port Huron Northern High School and will be a freshman at University of Detroit Mercy in the fall.

Scott M. Feehan, of Attica, son of Paul and Joann Feehan. Paul is an employee at Hunters Creek Club in Metamora. Scott is a graduate of Lapeer East High School and will be a freshman at the Universal Technical Institute in Houston, Texas, in the fall.

Danielle S. Frost, of Croswell, daughter of Noel Frost, an employee at Moran Cadillac-GMC Inc. in Fort Gratiot. Danielle is a graduate of Croswell Lexington High School and will be a freshman at St. Clair County Community College in the fall.

Caitlin J. Gable, of Indian River, daughter of Steve and Tammie Gable. Steve is the manager of the Comfort Center in Alanson. Caitlin is a graduate of Inland Lakes High School and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Jaclyn M. Gillespie, of Alto, an employee at West Michigan Business Center in Grand Rapids. She is a graduate of Caledonia High School and will be a junior at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Samantha E. Hausmann, of Marne, daughter of Ronald and Jill Hausmann. Ron is an employee at Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus in Grand Rapids. Samantha is a graduate of Coopersville High School and will be a freshman at Grand Rapids Community College in the fall.

Marcia Holtrop, of Hudsonville, daughter of Don and Debra Holtrop. Debra is an employee at Balanced Financial Services in Jenison. Marcia is a graduate of Unity Christian High School and will be a sophomore at Calvin College in Grand Rapids in the fall.

Abby M. Letts, of ClarkLake, an employee at the Toy House in Jackson. She is a graduate of Napoleon High School and will be a junior at Jackson Community College in the fall.

Robert Loesner, of Riverdale, New Jersey, an employee at Pompton Pharmacy in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. He is a graduate of the Morris County School of Technology in Denville, New Jersey, and will be a freshman at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, in the fall.

Joel D. Maidens, of Hudsonville, son of Howard and Linda Maidens. Linda is an employee at Wyoming Family Medicine in Wyoming. Joel is a graduate of Jenison High School and will be a sophomore at Central College in Pella, Iowa, in the fall. He also received an MRA scholarship last year.

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 freshman at Central Michigan University in the fall.

Katelynn R. Maurer, of Birch Run, daughter of Kathleen Maurer, who owns Hug in a Mug in Birch Run. Katelynn is a graduate of Birch Run High School and will be a sophomore at Baker College of Flint 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 freshman at Oakland University in Rochester in the fall.

Nicholas M. Meyer, of Troy, son of Sharon Meyer, who owns Amalgamations Ltd. in Troy. Nicholas is a graduate of Troy High School and will be a freshman at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in the fall.

Ryan S. Nevins, of Ithaca, an employee at Downtown Auto Service, Inc. in Ithaca. He is a graduate of Ithaca Junior and Senior High School and will be a freshman at Alma College in the fall.

Anne L. Ostrander, of Grand Rapids, daughter of Jeffrey Ostrander and Cheryl Fransico. Jeffrey is an employee at Compliance Systems in Grand Rapids. Anne is a graduate of Forest Hills Northern High School and will be a freshman at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids in the fall.

Michael J. Page, of Mason, son of Mark and Karen Page. Karen is an employee at Kean’s Store in Mason. Michael is a graduate of Mason High School and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

Andrew R. Schnitker, of Ludington, an employee at Cartier Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Ludington. He is a graduate of Ludington High School and will be a freshman at Grand Rapids Community College in the fall.

Carissa E. Schultz, of Sturgis, daughter of Frank and Mary Kay Schultz. Frank owns Retail Warehouse in Sturgis. Carissa is a graduate of Sturgis High School and will be a sophomore at Central Michigan University in the fall.

Emily A. Sinnott, of Plymouth, an employee at Sideways, Inc. in Plymouth. She is a graduate of Plymouth High School and will be a freshman at Grand Valley State University 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 sophomore at Central Michigan University in the fall. He also received an MRA scholarship last year.

Emily S. Terrill, of Webberville, daughter of Gail Terrill, an employee at Providence Mortgage Company in Lansing. Emily is a graduate of Owosso High School and will be a freshman at Baker College of Owosso in the fall.

Erin L. Vander Hoff, of Grand Rapids, daughter of Donald Vander Hoff and Karen Penney. Karen is an employee at Zormot International, Inc. in Jenison. Erin is a graduate of Northview High School and will be a freshman at Grand Valley 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 sophomore at Hope College in the fall.

Breanna L. Wilson, of Otisville, daughter of Terry Lee, an employee at Art Van Furniture in Burton. She is a graduate of Elisabeth Ann Johnson Memorial High School in Mount Morris and will be a sophomore at Michigan State University in the fall.