33 students receive MEA college scholarships
2008 MEA Scholarship recipients, the best and brightest of Michigan public school students, were honored at the Spring Representative Assembly. They included (first row, from left) Steven Lambert, Ankita Mohanty, Angela Abiodun, Thomas Wilkins, Brittany Bentley, Brittney Benjamin and Scott Wilkins; (second row, from left) Wendi-Jo Ervin, Tawana Day, Forrest Young, Nevena Paripovic and Kyle Hager. MEA Scholarship Fund trustees on hand were (third row, from left) Lovelle Menzie, Linda Carter and Leo Sell.
Recipients of 2008 MEA Scholarships, and their families, received standing ovations from more than 600 delegates at MEA’s Spring Representative Assembly in Lansing on April 26.
“These are some of the best and brightest students in Michigan,” Scholarship Fund trustee and Ann Arbor teacher Linda Carter said.
Trustees reviewed more than 1,100 scholarship applications this year and awarded $1,500 stipends to 20 high school students and $1,000 stipends to 13 repeat recipients. Twelve scholarship winners attended the RA.
The 2008 MEA Scholarship winners include:
- Brittney Benjamin, Thornapple-Kellogg High School, Middleville.
- Brittany Bentley, Otsego High School.
- Kyle Hager, Waverly High School, Lansing.
- Rachel Hare, Cheboygan High School.
- Reid Holzbauer, Grayling High School.
- John Jacisin III, Luther L. Wright High School, Ironwood.
- Chase Kelly, Wayne Memorial High School.
- Amber Laiho, Westwood High School, Ishpeming.
- Stevie Momkam Tchuenkam, Salem High School, Plymouth/Canton.
- Jennifer Monacelli, South Haven High School.
- Nevena Paripovic, Haslett High School.
- Michael Perino, Littlefield High School.
- Jonathan Qiao, Menominee High School.
- Cody Rzeznik, Walled Lake Central High School.
- Kristin Skinner, Lakeview High School.
- Christopher Spencer, Rockford High School.
- Benjamin Topping, Trenton High School.
- Scott Wilkins, Grosse Pointe South High School.
- Thomas Wilkins, Grosse Pointe South High School.
- Forrest Young, Bay City Western High School.
Repeat winners include:
- Angela Abiodun, West Bloomfield High School, University of Michigan.
- Colleen Budd, Farmington High School, University of Michigan.
- Samantha Cummings, Alpena High School, University of Michigan.
- Tawana Day, Muskegon Heights High School, Western Michigan University.
- Qichao Dong, Ann Arbor Huron High School, University of Michigan.
- Wendi-Jo Ervin, Mt. Pleasant High School, Grand Valley State University.
- Ashley Jordet, Dearborn High School, University of Michigan.
- Steven Lambert, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern High School, Central Michigan University.
- Emily Mageski, Croswell-Lexington High School, Central Michigan University.
- Eugene Malin, West Iron County High School, University of Michigan.
- Ankita Mohanty, Mt. Pleasant High School, University of Michigan.
- Megan Smith, Ovid-Elsie High School, Michigan Technological University.
- Kelly Wilt, Eisenhower High School, Utica, Michigan State University.
MEA Scholarship
An Educational
Opportunity
Provided by the Members, Staff
and Friends of the
Michigan Education Association
Deadline has passed for the 2008 MEA Scholarship.
The Scholarship
The amount and number of scholarships
offered each year shall be determined by the trustees of the MEA Scholarship
Fund. Such scholarships may be offered on a renewal basis limited to four
times in a five-year period.
The scholarship will not be awarded for the purpose of working on a post-baccalaureate
degree.
Eligibility
Applicants for the scholarship must meet the following conditions:
- Be or will be a graduate of
public schools.
- Will attend a Michigan public community/junior college, four-year degree-granting institution, or vocational training institution that grants a degree, certification or license. Those attending the following private institutions are also eligible: Baker College–Flint/Owosso; University of Detroit–Mercy; Davenport University—Eastern Region Campus; Adrian College; Finlandia University; Albion College; and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.
Children of MEA officers, fund trustees, and MEA staff are not eligible. (A child of an MEA staff person is eligible if the other parent is an MEA member.)
Criteria Of Award
The general criteria for awarding
the scholarship includes: academic achievement, extra-curricular activities,
and school and community service. All other criteria being equal, first consideration
will be given to children of MEA members and students from lower income households.
Scholarship determination will be made strictly on the merit of the applicant’s
performance against the above criteria. The selection and award of scholarships
is a nondiscriminatory process.
MEA Scholarships will be awarded by the trustees of the MEA Scholarship Fund.
This body is composed of MEA members and persons appointed from the general
public.
Application Process
Eligible students seeking the scholarship shall complete a written application form provided by the fund. Applications are available from local affiliates of the MEA, UniServ offices or high school counseling offices, by writing to:
MEA Scholarship
Fund
Michigan Education Association
Legal Services Division
P.O. Box 2573
East Lansing, MI 48826-2573
FUNDING
The MEA Scholarship Fund is financed
through the voluntary contributions of the members, staff and friends of
the Michigan Education Association.
Such contributions may be made by check or money order payable to the
“MEA Scholarship Fund.” Mail to:
MEA Scholarship
Fund
Michigan Education Association
P.O. Box 2573
East Lansing, MI 48826-2573
Your contribution is tax deductible; you will receive a written receipt and acknowledgment. Thank you.
The Michigan Education Association is an organization
dedicated to the principles of public education, advancement of quality
education, and security of the rights of education employees. There are
approximately 148,000 members of MEA, who are public K-12 teachers and
educational support personnel; higher education faculty and educational
support personnel; employees of intermediate school districts; and retired
school employees.
Founded in 1852, the MEA was organized initially as the Michigan State Teachers
Association, with 200 members. By the 1920s, local teacher organizations generated
increased activities by the association to improve the welfare of the profession.
It was at that time that the name was changed to Michigan Education Association.
During the 1950s and 1960s the MEA became an aggressive statewide force for
teacher rights and welfare, as well as other professional concerns.
In 1984, active membership was expanded to include educational support personnel.
This brought together one of the largest single unions representing education
employees.
Throughout its long history, MEA has remained committed to quality education
and retains a prominent leadership position as a strong advocate for public
education. As one means of demonstrating its commitment to public education,
the MEA has established and offers the MEA Scholarship.