MCCC awards scholarships

The Foundation at Monroe County Community College has awarded several scholarships.

• The $2,550 Gwendolyn M. Jacob Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Brooke Benitez of Monroe, a 2021 graduate of Monroe High School. She is studying elementary childhood education with plans to transfer to the University of Toledo. At MHS, she was active in National Honor Society and Interact Club and numerous community activities with Elevate Church. At MCCC, she is the secretary for Phi Theta Kappa honor society, a member of the Honors Program and is a tutor in the Student Success Center. She has been on the dean’s several times. She is the daughter of Jennifer O’Neil and Michael Benitez.

• The $2,450 FEDCO Science and Technology Scholarship was awarded to Elayn Juhasz and Bradford Zapor.

Juhasz of Monroe graduated from El Cajon Valley High School in California. She is studying mechanical design technology. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is active in the MCCC Drama Club. She performs in a charitable dancing group. She is the wife of Mark Juhasz and mother to Sophia and Anthony.

Zapor of Monroe is a 2000 graduate of Jefferson High School. He is studying mechanical design technology. He is the son of Mary Zapor.

• The $2,750 William E. Rupp Scholarship was awarded to Katelyn Armstrong and Cadance Sharpe.

Armstrong of Petersburg is a 2022 graduate of Bedford Senior High School. She is studying business management with plans to transfer to the University of Toledo. While at BHS, she participated in Students in Action, Student Prevention Leadership Team, Drug Abuse Resistance Education and National Honor Society and was vice president of Business Professional of America. She is the daughter of Kevin and Aundrea Armstrong.

Sharpe of Monroe is a 2022 graduate of Jefferson High School. She is studying biology. While at JHS, she was a member of National Honor Society and volunteered with community drives for food pantries, nursing homes and the Monroe County Humane Society. She has also won many awards for her artwork. She is the daughter of Brad and Dannielle Sharpe.

• The $3,300 David L. and Harriet Williams McIntyre Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Gabrielle Stewart of Monroe, a dual-enrolled student at Monroe High School, who will graduate in 2024. She is pursuing an associate degree in social work with plans to attend Eastern Michigan University. She has volunteered with Erie United Methodist Church and Zion United Methodist Church, serving dinners and potlucks. She also volunteers with the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Ann Arbor. While at MHS, she received numerous leadership awards. She is the daughter of Ian Andrew Stewart and Corry Diane Gessner.

• The $2,500 C.S. and Marion F. McIntyre Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Seth Haliburda of South Rockwood, a 2023 graduate of Airport High School. He is studying biology. While at AHS, he was a member of the varsity cross country, wrestling and track teams and a member of the Welding Club. He is the son of Frank and Amy Haliburda.

• The $2,550 LaVerne B. Norton Scholarship was awarded to Margo Babkiewicz, Joni Beaugrand, Julia Depelsmaeker, Charnita Gordon, Kayla Hounshell, Alicia Kenworthy, Kate Maier, Hannah Masserant, Angela Mocniak, Allison Organ, Holly Owsley and Valentin Aragon Rios.

Babkiewic of Lambertville is a 2021 graduate of Bedford High School. She is studying nursing, at MCCC, where she is a member of the Student Nurses’ Association. She volunteers at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital and is the daughter of David Babkiewicz and Victoria Babkiewicz.

Beaugrand of Ida is a 1993 graduate of F.J. Brennan High School, Windsor, Ontario. She is studying computer information systems. She is a member of a variety of community groups for families with children that have special needs and serves as a parent mentor. She also volunteers with Special Olympics. She is the daughter of Jill and James Beaugrand and Danner and Annie Beaugrand.

Depelsmaeker of Monroe is a 2019 graduate of Monroe High School. She is studying nursing and is a member of MCCC’s Student Nurses’ Association. She also volunteers for ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital and is the daughter of Timothy and Annette Depelsmaeker.

Gordon of Monroe is a graduate of Heart Academy. She is studying respiratory therapy at MCCC and is a member and secretary of the Respiratory Therapy Club. Charnita also serves as a notetaker for Disability Support Services and is a tutor and a Writing Fellow and works in the campus store. She is the daughter of Linda Register and the mother of Madison Winans.

Hounshell of Newport is a 2009 graduate of Jefferson High School. She is studying criminal justice. She has volunteered for Recovery Advocacy Warriors in Monroe and works as a department of corrections officer with the parole division in Washtenaw County, working with those with substance abuse and mental health issues. She is the wife of Colin Hounshell and the mother of Ilyah and Colin Jr.

Kenworthy of Lambertville is a 2011 graduate of Bedford High School. She is studying accounting. She is the daughter of Robert Kenworthy and LaRue Kenworthy.

Maier of Maybee is a 2021 graduate of Dundee High School. She is studying nursing at MCCC and is a member of the Student Nurses’ Association. She is also a member of the Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She is the daughter of Josh and Michelle Maier.

Masserant of Monroe is a 2022 graduate of Ida High School. She is currently working toward an associate of science degree. At IHS, she was a member of Student Council, president of the Drama Cluband secretary of Band Council. She is a member of the Criminal Justice Club and the Agora Chorale at MCCC. She is the daughter of Duane Masserant.

Mocniak of Petersburg is a 2000 graduate of Topeka High School, Topeka, Kansas. She is studying graphic design. She volunteered at HELP portraits in Toledo, photographing and editing portraits for underprivileged families. She also coaches her children’s soccer teams. She is the wife of Jason Mocniak, the daughter of Mary Spencer and the mother to Logan, Gavin and Collin.

Organ of Lambertville is a 2020 graduate of Bedford High School. She is studying nursing and is a member of MCCC’s Student Nurses’ Association. She is the daughter of Stacey and Tim Organ.

Owsley of Monroe is a 2010 graduate of Airport High School. She is studying business management. She is an active volunteer with projects through her employer, La-Z-Boy. She is the daughter of Angela Pidgeon and Nick Ellison, the wife of Kalvin Owsley and the mother of Khloe and Dominik.

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Rios of Carleton earned a GED in 2022. He is studying electrical engineering technology. He is a member of and active volunteer with St. Mary Catholic Church and is part of the community committee of Puente. He is the son of Celerina Rios Lopez, the husband of Maria Lozano Marinez and the father of Miguel and Manuel.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit monroeccc.edu/financial-aid or contact the MCCC Financial Aid Office at 734-384-4135. To learn about funding a scholarship, contact The Foundation at MCCC at 734-384-4214.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: MCCC awards scholarships