Grant Vermeesch, from Capac Jr/Sr High School is the latest recipient of the prestigious John & Rose Marie Wismer Scholarship award from the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. He will be attending the University of Michigan to major in mechanical engineering.
“It’s our most exclusive and competitive award,” said Patti Manley, the Board Chair of the Community Foundation. “The award follows the student throughout their college career and generally increases in size with each passing year.”
Vermeesch was thrilled with the news. “I’m excited for the prospect of learning new things and meeting new people as I finally move past the county lines of my small town. ”Grant said. “I’m hoping that through U of M I can broaden my knowledge not only through school but also in the interactions with different ethnic groups and cultures who also go there. I’m excited to delve into more complex and challenging subjects such as physics and higher-level math courses.”
Established in 2003, the John and Rose Marie Wismer Scholarship continues to reward students for their academic achievement, leadership abilities, extracurricular activities and community involvement.
Grant joins the Wismer cohort and four other previous Wismer Recipients who will receive awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,500 to continue their education.
Second year Wismer recipient Therese Georgia is a Port Huron Northern High School graduate. She is making the most of her experience at Rochester Institute of Technology as an Imaging Science major. “One of the courses I took during my first year was the Freshman Imaging Project,” she said. “Where a group of 15 of us were given the task of building an imaging system that could detect the ripeness of strawberries. Through a year of hard work, we had a project to present for Imagine RIT, a creativity and innovation festival held by the school each year. I also ran cross country and track for RIT this year and had an amazing experience in doing so and will continue competing for them during my time there.”
Claire Marquardt, another PHN graduate and third year Wismer recipient, has been able to explore her musical passions majoring in French Horn Performance at the University of Michigan. Claire states “This past year I had my first orchestra experience both semesters and got to play some amazing repertoire. I was also in the pit for my first opera, Elizabeth Cree. This summer I’m doing an internship for my Museums Studies minor at the Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments, and I am so excited!”.
Panayia Melistas from Memphis High School, joins Claire as a third year Wismer recipient also attending the University of Michigan, studying biology. Panayia will be studying abroad in Spain this summer.
The on-going support from the John F. & Rose Marie Wismer Community Foundation Scholarship has helped Marine City High School graduate Marisa May as she enters her fourth year at the University of Michigan. Marisa has been highly active in the Michigan Baja Racing team, which has given her great experience for her intended career in Formula One racing. Marisa has also found a passion for giving back. “I’ve also become more active in another student organization, Cost Assistance for Resilient Engineers. We organize fundraisers to raise money for an emergency scholarship given to engineering students with unexpected financial hardships. I am very grateful for the opportunity to give back after all the support I’ve been given in funding my own education.”
John and Rose Marie were passionate about giving back to their community by investing in future generations through education. John himself attended the University of Michigan before having to drop out due to not being able to afford the cost of tuition. He went on to enroll at Michigan State University, working evenings to support his education and went on to become a successful businessman and founder of Wismer Broadcasting (known today as Radio First).
The Community Foundation of St. Clair County manages dozens of scholarships, life needs and gap or emergency funds to support young adults pursuing a college education. To learn more about how you, your company or your family can set up an endowed fund contact Jackie Hanton, Jackie@StClairFoundation.Org.