Berrien Community Foundation is awarding more than $470,000 in scholarships to support the academic journeys of 84 Southwest Michigan students.
Berrien Community Foundation (BCF) hosted its “Wicked Adventure” Scholarship Celebration this week at Hidden Pointe Event Hall in Benton Harbor. Inspired by the movie musical “Wicked,” the evening celebrated the “magic of education” and how being different – being yourself – is what makes you powerful.
“A scholarship is not just a financial gift – it’s an investment in a student’s potential to change their life and the world around them,” said Lisa Cripps-Downey, BCF President. “Behind every scholarship is a donor whose generosity creates a lasting impact, empowering students to achieve more than they ever imagined.”
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, 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 2025 Berrien Community Foundation Scholars are:
All God’s Children Community Choir Scholarship: Tamara Payne (Lakeshore), Davell Denson (Benton Harbor) and Maxwell Arbanas (Buchanan); Alton and Millie Wendzel Scholarship: Tyler Kuehl (Watervliet) and Isbella Swisher (Michigan Lutheran); Arcadia Gardens Scholarship: Travis Locke (Cornerstone University), Azuzena Martinex-Guiterrez (Lakeshore) and Kyla Solis (Hartford); Arthur & Bonna Vanderlyn Scholarship: Karen Alvarez, Rene Barrientos, Andrea Diaz-Rosas, Emily Rivas, Quintin Sharpe, Madison Whitman (Hartford); Bob Dongvillo Viticulture Scholarship: Natalie Pettway (Lake Michigan College); Bryce Boothby Family Scholarship: Shunya Caughn (Benton Harbor); Carol A. Oehlhaffen Our Lady of the Lake Scholar: Josie Balkin, Elaine Collins, Zachary Fraser, Ellen Howard, Hannah Hysell, Rachel Kalamaros, Josephine Marsh, Nora Proos, Mary Catherine Riley, Aislin Sargent, Connor Yankauskas; Carol A. Oehlhaffen Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship: Lindsey Salmon (Bridgman); Coach U Scholarship: Davell Denson and Jaiden Tackett (Benton Harbor); Cora B. Parkhurst Memorial Scholarship: Aileen Mongkau (Berrien Springs); David A. Hicks Scholarship For The Arts: Dylan Walters (St. Joseph); David and Kathleen Bradley Scholarship: Natalie Van Lente (Watervliet); Delta Kappa Gamma Rho Chapter Women in Education Scholarship: Cassandra Parker (Grand Canyon University); Drews Scholar: Mia Bradley (Lakeshore); Dunn Scholarship: Cassandra Parker (Grand Canyon University) and DaJonae Whatley (Ivy Tech); Edna Bender Scholarship: Adison Hildebrand (Berrien Springs); F.A. Mason Penwell Nursing Scholarship: Onjaniaina Tsiry Christiane Rasamimanana Herivonjy (Lake Michigan College) and Hayley Smith (Lake Michigan College); Felland Scholarship: Yvonne King (Lake Michigan College) and Camaro Redding (Siena Heights); Fox Family Scholarship: Makena Christ (River Valley); and Enrique Merino Moreno, Jr (River Valley); Frederick S. Upton Foundation Opportunity Scholarship: Jenna Franklin (Buchanan), Clara Fast (Bridgman), Zachary Hines (Niles), Turner Peterson (St. Joseph), Annabelle Shall (Homeschooled), Aiden Sokol (Lakeshore), Cobey Sterling (St. Joseph), Lincoln White-Day (Grand Valley State University), Howard D. Merchant Memorial Scholarship: Alexander Nelson (St. Joseph); James and Bernadette McKittrick Agricultural and Environmental Scholarship: Carter Sobecki (Brandywine) and Coy Weinberg (Buchanan); Jameson Matthew Gargano Memorial Scholarship: Julieann DeJong (Lakeshore); Jean M. Heisner Medical Technician Scholarship: Hailey Watkins (Lake Michigan College) and Susan Bishop (Lake Michigan College); June Rollinger Family Scholarship: Claire Kim (Berrien Springs ); Ken and Jeanne Thomas Memorial Scholarship: Kennedy Bowman (Lakeshore), Zoey Boyd (Coloma), Ava Starbuck (Bridgman); Lehmann-Peapples Trades Scholarship: Eli Kelley (St. Joseph); Leonard and Marion Krall Family Memorial Scholarship: Jorge Zuniga (Watervliet); Lora Wile-Miller Memorial Scholarship: Jenna Franklin (Buchanan) and Helaina Mihalik (Lakeshore); Marion and Dan Crossman Scholarship: Alyssa Hamrick (Niles); Maybury Scholarship: Elizabeth King (Hope College), Andrew Mabry (Bridgman) and Coy Weinberg (Buchanan); New Futures Scholarship: Elvin Vu (St. Joseph) and Angelica Mazumder (Niles); Passaro Family Volunteer Scholarship: Chloe Jennings (St. Joseph); Patricia Gagliardo Kutz-Holland Trades Scholarship: Joshua Henry (Berrien Springs); Patrick Freehling Memorial Scholarship: Aiden Conley (Michigan State University) and Hazel Lemon (Lakeshore); Rodney Weir Marching Band Scholarship: Adam Starr (Brandywine); Ronald H. Miller Journalism Scholarship: Emma Williams (Niles); Ruth Ann & Louis Harvey Benton Harbor Youth HBCU Scholarship: Anijah Dancer (Howard University); Sondra J. Kaminski Scholarship: Ramzi Dumke (St. Joseph); Sondra J. Kaminski Soccer Scholarship: Ty Dellay (St. Joseph); Southwest Michigan Human Trafficking Taskforce Scholarship: Hailey Robbins (Buchanan); St. Joseph Class of ’70 Scholarship: Kyra Lewis (Benton Harbor); Steven Marsh and Family Scholarship: Addison Thornton (River Valley); Stoub Family Scholarship for Working Students: Geneva Tabor (Buchanan); Trefz Family Scholarship: Molly Heddle (St. Joseph) and Benjamin Liebich (Michigan Lutheran); Wilson Family Scholarship: Zen Farnum (River Valley).
