The Lake Trust Foundation, an independent entity of Lake Trust Credit Union (Lake Trust), recently announced the recipients of the 2022 New Beginnings Scholarship and the 2022 Michigan Impact Scholarship. These two unique scholarship opportunities support Michigan residents pursuing high-demand careers through continued education.
2022 New Beginnings Scholarship winners
Six recipients in total were awarded the 2022 New Beginnings Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to inspire and enable Michigan residents to consider furthering their education or career in a technical or trade field at a Michigan college or university. The winners will receive an award of up to $5,000 which can be used to pay tuition costs at a trade school or technical education program as well as cover the costs of trade tools, professional fees or dues, books, or supplies. The recipients from Livingston County are:
• Jaclyn Dobbie of Brighton, who is not only excited to use her knowledge and expertise to help homeowners with repairs, but hopes to also empower other women through her work. After working in the food service industry for 10 years, Dobbie took advantage of an opportunity through her employer to do an HVA/refrigeration apprenticeship. She is currently attending Lansing Community College, where she will earn her HVAC certification and associate of applied science degree. In the future, she hopes to open a company with women who specialize in skilled trades, creating new opportunities for women in industries traditionally dominated by men.
• Katherine Rajala of Howell, a current student at the University of Michigan-Flint, is working toward a bachelor of science degree in radiation therapy. Now in her clinical rotations, she’s on track to graduate in May 2023. Rajala always felt a calling toward the medical field, but she wasn’t sure what she wanted to focus on. Her calling found her after a family member talked about how much support she felt from the radiation therapists who cared for her during an illness. Her scholarship will help pay for her scrubs, a lab coat, shoes, textbooks, and other course materials., and she plans to provide quality care for cancer patients and be there as an emotional support on their journey to recovery.
2022 Michigan Impact Scholarship winners
Established in partnership with Cleary University, the Michigan Impact Scholarship provides a tuition-free educational opportunity to Michigan residents for up to four years. This scholarship is awarded to current or incoming Cleary University students studying at the Livingston or Detroit campuses or online. Applicants pursuing an education in one of Michigan’s Hot 50 Careers through 2028 are given special consideration, as the opportunity is focused on meeting the demands of Michigan’s changing labor market.
This year’s recipients from Livingston County include:
• Benjamin Hibbard of Howell is entering his senior year at Cleary University, working on a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a double minor in human resources and digital marketing. After graduation, he hopes to get a job in a Michigan corporation and lead its philanthropy efforts, and hopes to create a program to encourage employees to volunteer and give back in local communities.
• Ethan Parker of Brighton is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management, and he’d like to use his education to support local businesses in the future, as well as coach entrepreneurs, and help grow and strengthen the local economy. Attending Cleary University allows him to stay close to home during his studies and connect with the business landscape in the Howell community. His scholarship is helping ease the financial strain of tuition, and makes it possible for him to graduate with minimal debt.
• Jennifer Richmond of Howell was inspired to go back to school to earn her bachelor’s degree in healthcare management while she was working as a radiologic technologist through the pandemic. Working in a high-stress environment helped her see what a positive influence a strong leader can have on a team, and she hopes to mentor and teach others in her field one day. While she had always wanted to pursue a bachelor’s degree, she didn’t have the resources to do so until now. The Michigan Impact Scholarship will help her learn more about the business site of healthcare, such as budgeting, leadership, accreditation requirements, hiring, mentorship, and more.
• Laura Rubio Nieto of Howell grew up in Spain, and she had always dreamed of studying abroad. She’s living that dream now by attending Cleary University and working toward a bachelor’s degree in digital marketing. Though she’s excited to study in Michigan, the cost of tuition was a barrier that could prevent her from continuing her studies her past her freshman year. But the Michigan Impact Scholarship changed that, and she can focus on her studies, playing soccer for Cleary, and working at her on-campus job. In the future, she hopes to open a business that focuses on meeting unmet needs in the community, and using her knowledge and skills to help others.
“At Lake Trust, we are committed to strengthening the financial well being of the communities around us,” said David Snodgrass, Latke Trust’s CEO and president of the Lake Trust Foundation. “By offering scholarship opportunities like the New Beginnings and Michigan Impact Scholarships, our organization has supported Michigan residents in their pursuit of expanded education and professional opportunities, enhancing their ability to give back to their respective communities.”
