Berrien Community Foundation awarded $587,500 in scholarships to support the higher education journeys of 77 Southwest Michigan students at its annual Scholarship Celebration June 17.
Berrien Community Foundation (BCF) hosted its “Knowledge is Power!” Scholarship Celebration at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. Inspired by the beloved educational series Schoolhouse Rock!, the evening celebrated the power of learning, curiosity and education to open doors and create opportunities.
“Like the lessons of Schoolhouse Rock!, scholarships help students connect the building blocks of education to the opportunities ahead,” said Lisa Cripps-Downey, BCF president. “Every scholarship represents a donor’s belief in a student’s potential and provides the support they need to keep learning, growing and making a difference in the world around them.”
BCF offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors, students currently in college, adults returning to the classroom and students going into the skilled trades. Scholarships are established by donors to support students who excel in academics, community service or the arts, or are pursuing a particular career path. Volunteers from the community sit on review committees to make award recommendations to the BCF Board of Directors.
The 2026 Berrien Community Foundation Scholars are:
100 Women Strong Scholarship: Mia Frazier, Yvonne King (both Lake Michigan College); A New Future Scholarship: Ezequiel Cardozo-Aviles (Watervliet), Alexa Garcia (Niles), Noria Mchopa (Niles), Samantha Satiago (Berrien Springs); All God's Children Community Choir Scholarship: Lakayla Miles (Covert); Alton and Millie Wendzel Scholarship: Liliana Leifer (Michigan Lutheran), Brianna Zwar (Watervliet); Arcadia Gardens Scholarship: Travis Locke (Cornerstone University); Arthur & Bonna Vanderlyn Scholarship: Shane Brink, Destiny Davis-Russell, Joanna Duran-Cruz, Rober Huaracha-Rivera, Adam Pacheco, Jasmere Pompey, Bryson Prillwitz, Gustavo Santiago-Hernandez (all Hartford); Bob Dongvillo Viticulture Scholarship: Brook Simpson (Lake Michigan College); Bryce Boothby Family Scholarship: Samyah Crenshaw (Benton Harbor); Carol A. Oehlhaffen Our Lady of the Lake Scholar: William Boston, Benjamin Jollay, Connor Siglow (all Our Lady of the Lake); Carol A. Oehlhaffen Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship: Nora Bomar (Bridgman); Celebrating Miles Kelleher Cross Country and Track Scholarship: Kaya Long (Our Lady of the Lake); Coach U Scholarship: Miracle Green, Maleek Maben (both Benton Harbor); Cora B. Parkhurst Memorial Scholarship: Melody Kertawidjaja (Berrien Springs); David A. Hicks Scholarship For The Arts: Hannah Variell (Watervliet); David and Kathleen Bradley Scholarship: Ana Aguilera-Gallegos (Watervliet); Drews Scholar: Cole Miller (Lakeshore); Dunn Scholarship: Mia Frazier, Yvonne King (Lake Michigan College); Edna Bender Scholarship: Melody Kertawidjaja (Berrien Springs); F.A. Mason Penwell Nursing Scholarship: Mephine Jemutai (Lake Michigan College); Felland Scholarship: Denisha Hudson (Adrian College), Jasmine Hurst (Southwestern Michigan College); Fox Family Scholarship: Madison Deniston, Sophia Izydorski (both River Valley); Frederick S. Upton Foundation Opportunity Scholarship: Edward Cervantes (Andrews University), Ella Harris (Western Michigan University), Lylah Hyska (Coloma), Saanchi Jain (St. Joseph), Luke Larson (St. Joseph), Aribel Mills (Lakeshore), Zachary Shall (homeschool), Salsabil Zahid (St. Joseph); Howard D. Merchant Memorial Scholarship: Kai Roseburgh (St. Joseph); Insurance Management Service Scholarship: Damonee McBride (Benton Harbor); Jameson Matthew Gargano Memorial Scholarship: Carly Whitelaw (Lakeshore); Janet W. DeRubbo Scholarship: Trinity Paulison (Eau Claire); Jean M. Heisner Medical Technician Scholarship: Mason Lawrence (Lake Michigan College); John E.N. & Dede J. Howard Instrumental Music Scholarship: Luis Sanchez (Western Michigan University); June Rollinger Family Scholarship: Yuridia Ramirez Manzano (Eau Claire); Kathy Zerler Education Scholarship: Mikhail Tikhonov (St. Joseph); Ken and Jeanne Thomas Memorial Scholarship: Carlton Burrel (Benton Harbor); Lehmann-Peapples Trades Scholarship: Kenzie Boller (Buchanan), Colton McIlroy (Lakeshore); Leonard and Marion Krall Family Memorial Scholarship: Austin Tomes (Watervliet); Lora Wile-Miller Memorial Scholarship: Keeli Frank (Lakeshore); Marion and Dan Crossman Scholarship: Jaiden Hamilton (Niles); Maybury Scholarship: Evelyn DeGraff (Buchanan), Olivia Dupre (St. Joseph), Audree Hunt (Buchanan), Ariyanna Warren (Lakeshore); Passaro Family Volunteer Scholarship: Gabrielle Gittens (Berrien Springs); Patrick Freehling Memorial Scholarship: Haylee Legault (Buchanan), Parker Volstorf (River Valley); Porritt Family Memorial Scholarship for Curious Kids: Abriana Frantz (Berrien Springs); Rodney Weir Marching Band Scholarship: Gavin Morlock (Coloma); Ronald H. Miller Journalism Scholarship: Azlynne Ingle (Niles); Ruth Ann & Louis Harvey Benton Harbor Youth HBCU Scholarship: Keaira Lewis (Benton Harbor); Sondra J. Kaminski Scholarship: Olivia Burlingame (St. Joseph); Sondra J. Kaminski Soccer Scholarship: David Silva (St. Joseph); Southwest Michigan Human Trafficking Taskforce Scholarship: Mason Lawrence (Lake Michigan College); St. Joseph Class of '70 Scholarship: Laniya Fox (Benton Harbor); Steven Marsh and Family Scholarship: Macie Maerz (River Valley); Stoub Family Scholarship for Working Students: Carly Whitelaw (Lakeshore); Tim King Music Scholarship: Lilliani Santos (Niles); Trefz Family Scholarship: Erius Bower (Niles), Adisyn Dombrowski (Buchanan); Wilson Family Scholarship: Aleyna Vollman (Brandywine).
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