“College success takes persistence, dedication and continued support,” said Randy Maiers, president of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. Over the last several years the Community Foundation has shifted its focus and resources towards college success, and not just helping students get into college.
“It may seem like a minor change,” said Maiers. “But it isn’t. The scholarship industry around America is often too focused on getting students into college. The attention and financial resources need to focus on college persistence and success.”
Matthew Arrigoni, a 2020 graduate of St. Clair High School, is one beneficiary of the Foundation’s new approach. While studying Mathematics with a minor in Data Analytics at Alma College, Matthew received scholarship funding all four years of his college career from the Community Foundation.
Matthew was supported by the St. Clair Foundation Fund along with the Charles & Bernice Uligian Fund. He plans to continue his education at Grand Valley State University where he will pursue a Master of Professional Science in Applied Statistics.
Amaya Wareham, another St. Clair High School grad from 2022, received two years of scholarship funding from the Father Rene Desmarais & Sister Margaret Dowd Scholarship Fund. The Desmarais Fund was established back in 2006 and supports students attending St. Clair County Community College or the Baker Culinary Institute in Port Huron.
“In the Fall I am transferring to U of M in Ann Arbor to get my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education!” said an excited Amaya.
Marine City High School graduate Lauren Borunda will be graduating from SC4 with an Associate of Applied Science Nursing degree. Lauren received two years of scholarship funding from the Alexander & Celestine Lamere Fund which assists graduates of Marine City High School. Upon her SC4 graduation and passing her state boards, Lauren plans to transfer to Saginaw Valley State University to study pre-medicine.
Fellow SC4 nursing grad Michaelia Day has been working towards her goals since 2007. With multi-year help from the Douglas & Elda L. Webb Scholarship Fund, Michaelia has reached her educational goals.
“My journey had many trials and tribulations,” she said. Day is the mother of four children and works full-time. “I’ve had to prioritize what was most important during my journey to achieve my dream. After 17 years of working towards my dream, my journey is coming to an end.”
After graduation, Michaelia will start as a nurse extern at McLaren Macomb in the emergency department. Upon passing the NCLEX state board exam she is expecting an offer as a full-time day-shift RN with McLaren.
Michaelia adds “Never stop believing in yourself you can achieve anything you want. Trials and tribulations are part of life and make you into a stronger person. If someone tells you, you can’t do something, just do it stronger!”
The Community Foundation of St. Clair County is the region’s largest provider of scholarship funding. The Foundation manages dozens of scholarship funds serving every district in the region. To learn more about using charitable gifts to support students visit this link https://stclairfoundation.org/give/