Fifteen Students Receive $3,500 Scholarships from Michigan Retailers Foundation

Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) has awarded 15 college students with scholarships totaling $52,500 for the 2026-27 academic year. The awards are funded by the Michigan Retailers Foundation, the mission of which has always been to support the educational advancement of retail employees and their families.

The following $3,500 scholarships were awarded:

• (7) Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship

• Paul M. Felice and Al Kessel Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Helen McCurry Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Jean L. Sarasin Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• D. Larry Sherman Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Joseph Swanson Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Thomas and Diane Ungrodt Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Walsh Family Platinum Legacy Scholarship

To be eligible, recipients must be an employee of an MRA member business or the dependent of an owner or employee of a member business. Students apply between January 1 and April 1 each year for the scholarships.

The program’s totals have now reached $846,250 awarded to 667 recipients since 1999, when the current program format began. Scholarship recipients were chosen by a third-party administrator, Kaleidoscope.

Contributions to the foundation come from MRA members, directors and employees, and other donors.  

Scholarship Recipients

Information for each student is listed in this order: hometown; business where the student or parent works; business location; college or university; major; class status; award name; donors:

Baylor Cicalo, Fenton
Gaines Jewelers, Flint
University of Michigan-Flint, Secondary Math Education, Sophomore
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship

• Made possible by donations from Becky Beauchine Kulka, Orin and Tina Mazzoni and Family, John Mayleben, in honor of his late wife, Linda, and in honor of Kenneth A. and Margaret Schwark, established by their sons James, Tom, and Michael

Madison Dixon, Jackson
Polly’s Country Market, Jackson
Central Michigan University, Secondary Education, Sophomore
Walsh Family Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Established by Jim and Kathy Walsh

Josiah Kantola, Ravenna
Ravenna Lumber Company, Ravenna
Anderson University, Interior Design, Junior
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship (also won in 2024)

• Made possible by donations from Andrew Gemmen and Barb Stein

Nicole Kerkela, Negaunee
Range Telecommunications, Marquette
Michigan Technological University, Business, Senior
Thomas and Diane Ungrodt Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Established by Thomas Ungrodt

Isabelle Kocan, Alpena
Alpena Agency, Alpena
Western Michigan University, Marketing/Dance, Freshman
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship

• Made possible by donations from Dan Marshall, in honor of his parents Willis W. and Mary Jane Marshall, and Mark Schrag and friends

Schaeffer Ott, Stevensville
Ott Insurance Agency, Baroda
Taylor University (Upland, IN), Public Relations, Sophomore
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship (also won in 2025)

• Made possible by donations from Larry and Gail Meyer and Jeff and Doreen Joyce
  

Kendall Penny, Three Rivers
Walgreen Co.
Manhattan University (New York City, NY), Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science, Sophomore
Helen McCurry Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Established by Joseph McCurry in honor of his late wife

Hannah Potts, Oscoda
Stephenson & Company, PC, East Tawas
Central Michigan University, Biology, Freshman
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship

• Made possible by donations from Bo Brines and family and Nathan Rosenfeld

Isabella Sterling, Farmington Hills
Busch’s Fresh Food Market, West Bloomfield
University of Notre Dame, Mathematics/Pre-Law, Freshman
D. Larry Sherman Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Established by D. Larry Sherman

Marisa Trigo, Mason
Target
Michigan State University, Supply Chain Management, Junior
Joseph Swanson Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Established by Joseph Swanson

Lanessa Ware, Bear Lake
Pleasanton Valley Greenhouses, Bear Lake
Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville
Saginaw Valley State University, Occupational Therapy, Freshman
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship

• Made possible by donations from James Hallan and Rodney and Judy Phillips by Joseph Swanson

Clara Warnick, Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth Jellystone Camp Resort, Frankenmuth
Saginaw Valley State University, Actuarial Science, Freshman
Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Established by Peter Sobelton and his family, Barbara and Douglas Stranahan, in honor of his parents

Grason Weber, Leslie
Michigan Barn Wood & Salvage, Mason
University of Michigan, Actuarial Science, Freshman
Jean L. Sarasin Platinum Legacy Scholarship

• Established by Jean L. Sarasin

Breanna Willis, Levering
North Central Michigan College, Petoskey
Grand Valley State University, Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Freshman
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship

• Made possible by donations from Bill Golden and W. Bruce and Joyce M. Rogers

Kaylie VanderElzen, Saginaw
Kessel Enterprises/Save-A-Lot, Saginaw
Saginaw Valley State University, Professional Accounting/Secondary Math Education, Junior
Paul M. Felice and Al Kessel Platinum Legacy Scholarship (also won in 2025)

• Established in honor of Paul M. Felice and Albert “Al” Kessel, Jr.
  

🎓 STAY TUNED

The 2027-28 scholarship competition will begin on Jan. 1, 2027, and run through April 1, 2027. Materials will be available online and mailed to MRA members in the first week of 2027.

For more information regarding our scholarship competition or to contribute to scholarships, visit Retailers.com/scholarship.