The Michigan Education Association announced the recipients of the 2026 MEA Scholarship on Monday, honoring exemplary public school students from across the state who will be attending a Michigan public university in the fall.

The MEA Scholarship Fund Trustees selected 24 new award recipients, each receiving $2,000. In addition, 22 already enrolled in college will each receive $1,000.

“We are proud to recognize these outstanding students as they pursue higher education at colleges and universities across our state,” said MEA President & CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County. “These students have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, dedication, and a strong commitment to their future goals.”

Since 1997, the MEA Scholarship Fund has awarded more than 850 scholarships totaling over $765,000 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, and 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 are (in alphabetical order by last name):

24 New Winners – $2,000 each

• Bellanca Addison from International Academy West (Huron Valley Schools)
• Carley Barlass from Port Huron Northern High School (Port Huron Area School District)
• Giovanni Bickel from Chelsea High School (Chelsea Public Schools)
• Ainsley Brunette from Negaunee High School (Negaunee Public Schools)
• Shayne Champa from West Bloomfield High School (West Bloomfield School District)
• Zahara Chuchoque from Grant High School (Grant Public Schools)
• Owen Church from Berkley High School (Berkley Schools)
• Sean Ernstes from Otsego High School (Otsego Public Schools)
• Ethan Hays from Napoleon High School (Napoleon Community Schools)
• Ari Hickman from Brighton High School (Brighton Area Schools)
• Elizabeth Jenkin from Oscar A. Carlson High School (Gibraltar School District)
• Duncan Larzelere from East Lansing High School (East Lansing Public Schools)
• Matthew Leatherman from Montague High School (Montague Area Public Schools)
• Olivia Letson from Westwood High School (NICE Community Schools)
• Anna Linen from International Academy (Huron Valley Schools)
• Violet Mercadal from Loy Norrix High School (Kalamazoo Public Schools)
• Emma-Marie Nowell from Churchill High School (Livonia Public Schools)
• Morelia Perez-Rodriguez from Oscar A. Carlson High School (Gibraltar School District) 
• Braden Rykse from Clarkston High School (Clarkston Community Schools)
• Alison Saur from Rockford High School (Rockford Public Schools)
• Jackson Trice from Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Utica Community Schools)
• Andrea Vigneau from Inland Lakes Secondary (Inland Lakes Schools)
• Alyssa Wangler from Gaylord High School (Gaylord Community Schools)
• Evan Wyatt from Dakota High School (Chippewa Valley Schools)

22 Repeat Winners – $1,000 each

• Alyssa Barr from Yale Senior High (Yale Public School District), attending Saginaw Valley State University
• Cale Bell from Sault Area High School (Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools), attending the University of Michigan
• Jocelyn Burpee from Lapeer High School (Lapeer Community Schools), attending the University of Michigan
• Elijah Christensen from Gladwin High School (Gladwin Community Schools), attending Saginaw Valley State University
• Emily Davis from Churchill High School (Midland Public Schools), attending Wayne State University
• Ellie Farmer from Pewamo-Westphalia Middle School/High School (Pewamo-Westphalia Community Schools), attending the University of Michigan
• Sophia Hall from Hudsonville High School (Hudsonville Public School District), attending the University of Michigan
• Austin Hinkley from Big Rapids High School (Big Rapids Public Schools), attending the University of Michigan
• Rebecca Jankowski from Battle Creek Central High School (Battle Creek Public Schools), attending Michigan State University
• Grace Johnson-Sears from Seaholm High School (Birmingham Public Schools), attending the University of Michigan
• Maxwell Lackey from Marquette Senior High (Marquette Public Schools), attending the University of Michigan
• Laura Lemerond from Clarkston High School (Clarkston Community Schools), attending the University of Michigan
• Austin Malburg from Armada High School (Armada Area Schools), attending Michigan State University
• Ella McIntyre from Armada High School (Armada Area Schools), attending the University of Michigan
• Sarah Olszewski from Clio High School (Clio Area Schools), attending Saginaw Valley State University
• Andrew Shorkey from Davison High School (Davison Community Schools), attending Central Michigan University
• Nathan Sparschu from Port Huron Northern High School (Port Huron Area School District), attending Michigan State University
• Hannah Stevens from Coldwater High School (Coldwater Community Schools), attending Michigan State University
• Madigan Tennies from Troy Athens High School (Troy School District), attending Grand Valley State University
• Madelyn Vincent from Forest Hills Eastern High School (Forest Hills Public Schools), attending Grand Valley State University
• Brock Vinter from International Academy West (Huron Valley School District), attending the University of Michigan
• Sophia Winkler from Clare High School (Clare Public Schools), attending Central Michigan University