49 outstanding public school students awarded 2025 MEA Scholarship

The Michigan Education Association today announced the recipients of the 2025 MEA Scholarships, honoring exemplary public school students from across the state who will be attending a Michigan public university next fall.

Among the 319 applications submitted for scholarship awards this year, the MEA Scholarship Fund Trustees chose 24 new award recipients who will each receive $1,800. In addition, 25 who are already enrolled in college will receive $900 each.

Since 1997, the MEA Scholarship Fund has awarded over 800 scholarships totaling $701,213 to graduates of Michigan public high schools.

To be eligible for the MEA Scholarship, applicants must be a dependent of an MEA member or MEA-Retired member in good standing. The general criteria for awarding the scholarships include academic achievement, extra-curricular activities as well as school and community service.

The MEA Scholarship Fund is financed through voluntary contributions of members, staff and friends of the Michigan Education Association.

This year’s winners include (in alphabetical order by last name):

24 New Winners – $1,800 each

  • Alyssa Barr from Yale Senior High (Yale Public School District)
  • Cale Bell from Sault Area High School (Sault Ste Marie Area Public Schools)
  • Elijah Christensen from Gladwin High School (Gladwin Community Schools)
  • Leo Comfort from Rochester High School (Rochester Community Schools)
  • Emily Davis from Churchill High School (Livonia Public Schools)
  • Ellie Farmer from Pewamo-Westphalia Middle School/High School (Pewamo-Westphalia Community Schools)
  • Sophia Hall from Hudsonville High School (Hudsonville Public School District)
  • Gabrielle Hamilton from East Jordan High School (East Jordan Public Schools)
  • Haneef Hampton from Loy Norrix High School (Kalamazoo Public Schools)
  • Chloe Holland-Anderson from Holland High School (Holland City School District)
  • Safiya Hussain from Salem High School (Plymouth-Canton Community Schools)
  • Rebecca Jankowski from Battle Creek Central High School (Battle Creek Public Schools)
  • Grace Johnson-Sears from Seaholm High School (Birmingham Public Schools)
  • Maxwell Lackey from Marquette Senior High (Marquette Public Schools)
  • Abigail Liddle from Holly High School (Holly Area Schools District)
  • Austin Malburg from Armada High School (Armada Area Schools)
  • Ryanne McCallister from Breckenridge High School (Breckenridge Public Schools)
  • Sarah Olszewski from Clio High School (Clio Area Schools)
  • Olivia Sebestyen from Brighton High School (Brighton Area Schools)
  • Madigan Tennies from Troy Athens High School (Troy School District)
  • Madelyn Vincent from Forest Hills Eastern High School (Forest Hills Public Schools)
  • Brock Vinter from International Academy West (Huron Valley School District)
  • Sophia Winkler From Clare High School (Clare Public Schools)
  • Andre’ Walden from Ludington High School (Ludington Area School District)

25 Repeat Winners – $900 each

  • Madeline Arthur attending Grand Valley State University from H.H. Dow High School (Midland Public Schools)
  • Braeden Burger attending the University of Michigan from Clio High School (Clio Area School District)
  • Jocelyn Burpee attending University of Michigan from Lapeer High School (Lapeer Community Schools)
  • Emma Daum attending Michigan State University from Big Rapids High School (Big Rapids Public Schools)
  • Brooke DeRussel attending Michigan State University from Millington High School (Millington Community Schools)
  • Mailey Hamilton attending the University of Michigan from East Jordan High School (East Jordan Public Schools)
  • Griffin Hansel attending the University of Michigan from Port Huron High School (Port Huron Area School District)
  • Austin Hinkley attending the University of Michigan from Big Rapids High School (Big Rapids Public Schools)
  • Audrey Huhn attending the University of Michigan from Holt High School (Holt Public Schools)
  • Skyler Jess-Isenegger attending Saginaw Valley State University from Milford High School (Huron Volley School District)
  • Jillian Klaver attending the University of Michigan from Owosso High School (Owosso Public Schools)
  • Laura Lemerond attending Michigan State University from Clarkston High School (Clarkston Community Schools)
  • KayeLee Martens attending Michigan State University from Wayland Union High School (Wayland Union Schools)
  • Ella McIntyre attending the University of Michigan from Armada High School (Armada Area Schools)
  • Michael Nowell attending the University of Michigan from Stevenson High School (Livonia Public Schools)
  • Robert Reynolds attending Michigan State University from West Ottawa High School (West Ottawa Public Schools)
  • Antonio Rojas attending the University of Michigan from East Lansing High School (East Lansing Public Schools)
  • Andrew Shorkey attending Central Michigan University from Davison High School (Davison Community Schools)
  • Mara Sorensen attending Michigan Technological University from Negaunee High School (Negaunee Public Schools)
  • Nathan Sparschu attending Michigan State University from Port Huron Northern High School (Port Huron Area School District)
  • Katelyn Strawser attending the University of Michigan from Sturgis High School (Sturgis Public Schools)
  • Allison Tate attending the University of Michigan from Whitehall High School (Whitehall District Schools)
  • Viola Weber attending Michigan State University from Northview High School (Northview High School)
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