Michigan Gateway Community Foundation

08/28/2026

🎉SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT!!🎉

The next student in the MGCF Scholarship Spotlight Series is a 2026 graduate of Buchanan High School, AVERY SCANLON!!!

Avery received the Unity Hospital Education Scholarship, which provides $1000 per year for four years to students who are pursuing a course of study in the health profession. You are amazing, Avery!!

Avery will be attending Lake Michigan College in the fall. She plans to study nursing. After receiving her associate's degree, Avery plans to attend a 4-year university and graduate as a registered nurse. Her long-term goals are to work at a hospital in the intensive care unit or neonatal intensive care unit.

While in high school, Avery participated in girls wrestling and softball. She was a member of the prom committee, Science Olympiad, HOSA, and has completed two internships at local hospitals. Avery spends her free time volunteering to make cards for senior citizens and blankets for the children's hospital. She has also assisted with youth softball and wrestling camps.

Congratulations, Avery, on your many achievements! We know that you will make Buchanan proud!

08/27/2026

🎉SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT!!🎉

The next student in the MGCF Scholarship Spotlight Series is a 2026 graduate of Buchanan High School, MARLEY HINDS!!!

Marley received the Hike for Higher Education Scholarship in the amount of $750, the Galien Ambulance Scholarship in the amount of $750, and the Galien Township Scholarship, which provides $1,500 toward educational expenses. These awards recognize his accomplishments and will provide valuable support as he continues his education and works toward his future goals. You rock, Marley!!

Marley will be attending Lake Michigan College in the fall. He plans to study the electrical trades and milling. Marley's long-term goals include a potential apprenticeship or furthering his education by getting his degree in electrical engineering. Whatever his future holds, he is adamant that he be a role model for underrepresented children of color in his community. He wants them to know that there are many opportunities for them as they grow up.

While in high school, Marley participated in tennis, cross country, basketball, baseball, and track. He enjoyed volunteering at the elementary school by reading books and helping children learn about respecting other people and their boundaries.

Congratulations, Marley, on your many achievements! We know that you will make Buchanan proud!

08/26/2026

🎉SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT!!🎉

The next student in the MGCF Scholarship Spotlight Series is a 2026 graduate of Buchanan High School, SYDNEY DENISON!!!

Sydney received the Harriet J. Schwartz Scholarship and the Eugene Smith Scholarship. Both scholarships provide $250 each to a graduate of Buchanan High School.

Sydney will be attending Indiana University Bloomington in the fall. She plans to study cinematic arts and film production. She is also interested in sports media. Sydney's long-term goals include working for a sports team or gaining on-set experience in the film industry.

While in high school, Sydney participated in volleyball and track and field. She was active on student council, served as senior class President, and was part of the Herd Spirit Team. Sydney was a member of the National Honor Society, Leos Club, and the Berrien RESA Student Advisory Committee, and, through those organizations and clubs, volunteered in her community. She takes pride in giving back and encourages others to do the same when they are able.

Congratulations, Sydney, on your many achievements! We know that you will make Buchanan proud!

08/25/2026

🎉SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT!!🎉

The next student in the MGCF Scholarship Spotlight Series is a 2026 graduate of Buchanan High School, RYAN HICKOK!!!

Ryan received the DeVlaminck Family Fund Scholarship, which provides $500 to assist with college expenses for a student with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who is pursuing a degree in engineering and has volunteer, leadership, and community service experience. Way to go, Ryan!!

Ryan will be attending Holy Cross College in the fall. He plans to study engineering, using his love of math and science that he applies to his everyday life when he helps his dad in his career as a plumber and pipefitter. Ryan's long-term goals include owning his own company, and through that he hopes to mentor and share his personal experiences with others. Ultimately, he hopes that his career will impact his community by making advances in technology to improve the lives of others.

While in high school, Ryan played football and was team captain for two years. He played baseball and golf as well. He was also a member of the Leos Club and the National Honor Society. Ryan's volunteer activities include donating items to the children's hospital in South Bend, helping with Buchanan's Easter Egg Hunt, cleaning up trash around town, and working on a coat drive.

Congratulations, Ryan, on your many achievements! We know that you will make Buchanan proud!

08/24/2026

🎉SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT!!🎉

The next student in the MGCF Scholarship Spotlight Series is a 2026 graduate of Buchanan High School, ADALYN TUMBLESON!!!

Adalyn received the Buchanan-Galien Lions Club Scholarship, the Carol D. Baker Memorial Scholarship, and the Fay Frazee Nursing Scholarship. The Buchanan-Galien Lions Club Scholarship and the Carol D. Baker Scholarship each provide a $1,000 award to students who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to volunteerism, leadership, and community service. The recipients of these scholarships have distinguished themselves through their extensive involvement in serving others and making a positive impact in their communities. In addition, the Fay Frazee Nursing Scholarship provides a $1,000 award to a student who is pursuing a nursing program, supporting their education as they prepare for a career dedicated to caring for others. You are amazing, Adalyn!!

Adalyn will be attending Wayne State University in the fall. She plans to study nursing, with a focus in pediatric nursing. After spending some time as a pediatric nurse, Adalyn may decide that pediatric oncology is where her heart is called.

While in high school, Adalyn was a member of the National Honor Society, prom committee, the Herd, and Leo's Club. She served as a coordinator and designer for the Homecoming float, was the football team manager, and refereed Buchanan floor hockey. She was also a yearbook, school sports, and activities photographer. Adalyn was a participant in HOSA and did an internship at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph in the Radiology Oncology Department. She also made time to volunteer in her community by assisting with fundraisers, making blankets, reading at the elementary school, and making cards for veterans.

Congratulations, Adalyn, on your many achievements! We know that you will make Buchanan proud!

08/23/2026

🎉SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT!!🎉

The next student in the MGCF Scholarship Spotlight Series is a 2026 graduate of Buchanan High School, DOMINIC MEANS!!!

Dominic received the Barbara Walkden Memorial Scholarship, which provides $1250 to assist with college expenses for a student attending Lake Michigan College and enrolled in a program to earn a trade certification or an associate's degree. Way to go, Dominic!!

Dominic will be attending Lake Michigan College in the fall. He plans to pursue physical therapy, following in the footsteps of his grandmother, a physical therapist, who was an inspiration to him. Dominic's long-term plans include attending a four-year university after he graduates from Lake Michigan College and using his degree to help people with injuries heal.

While in high school, Dominic realized that he really loves storytelling in all of its forms, including music, books, movies, and comic books. He says, "All stories have a takeaway, whether good or bad, but you learn something about life and maybe even yourself." Dominic has volunteered for various organizations throughout high school. His most recent opportunity was assisting at a charity ball for A Rosie Place for Children.

Congratulations, Dominic, on your many achievements! We know that you will make Buchanan proud!

08/22/2026

🎉SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT!!🎉

The next student in the MGCF Scholarship Spotlight Series is a 2026 graduate of Ross Beatty High School, WAYLON YAKEL!!!

Waylon received the Joseph Norton Sheteron Memorial Scholarship, which provides $1000 per year for four years to assist with college expenses for a student who has participated in baseball or softball and has a minimum GPA of 3.25. The applicants for this scholarship must write an essay illustrating their "Love of the Game". You rock, Waylon!!

Waylon is heading to Michigan State University to study engineering, bringing with him lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. Through building and growing his YouTube channel, he has learned firsthand the importance of perseverance, steady progress, and consistency. Creating content has shown him that meaningful results rarely happen overnight; instead, they come from continuing to put in the work, learning from setbacks, and improving little by little. Those experiences have helped shape the determination and work ethic he will bring to engineering at Michigan State, where patience, problem-solving, and persistence will be essential to reaching his goals.

While in high school, Waylon was the varsity baseball team captain and played basketball. He also spent time participating in robotics. Waylon attended the Math and Science Center for advanced coursework and lab research in biology. In his spare time, Waylon creates and manages content on his YouTube channel.

Congratulations, Waylon, on your many achievements! We know that you will make Cassopolis proud!

08/21/2026

🎉SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT!!🎉

The next student in the MGCF Scholarship Spotlight Series is a 2026 graduate of Buchanan High School, JUSTYCE CASHIER!!!

Justyce received the Bill Weaver Memorial Scholarship and the Unity Hospital Education Scholarship. The Weaver Scholarship provides $2000 to a female athlete, preferably a basketball player, from Buchanan High School. The Unity Scholarship provides $1000 per year for four years to a student pursuing a course of study for a health-related profession. Both scholarships are to assist with college expenses. You are a star, Justyce!!

Justyce will be attending Southwestern Michigan College in the fall to study nursing. Her long-term goal is to become a registered nurse and then, after gaining enough experience, study to become a nurse practitioner. Justyce is a highly compassionate woman who wants to make a difference in the lives of people who need her.

While in high school, Justyce was a member of the basketball and track teams and the National Honor Society and Leo's Club. Justyce is the current reigning 2026 Miss Buchanan. As such, she has spent countless hours volunteering in her community. She has caroled and helped with Valentine's Day parties at Buchanan Meadows, and has collected and stocked food for the local food pantry, made blankets, and packed candy for the holidays.

Congratulations, Justyce, on your many achievements! We know that you will make Buchanan proud!

08/20/2026

🎉SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT!!🎉

The next student in the MGCF Scholarship Spotlight Series is a 2026 graduate of Buchanan High School, AUDREE HUNT!!!

Audree received the Roma Holmes Scholarship, which provides $1250 to assist with college expenses for a student possessing volunteer, leadership, and community service experience. Way to go, Audree!!

Audree will be attending Grand Valley State University in the fall to study nursing. She plans to work in a hospital setting after graduation to see what specialty suits her best. If you were to ask her right now, though, she would say pediatric nursing is her dream career. Her long-term goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner.

While in high school, Audree was a member of student council, where she served as treasurer. She also participated in the Leo's Club and HOSA. Audree finds volunteering in her community very important. She has made blankets to take to children's hospitals, assisted with church upkeep at First Missionary Baptist Church, and worked in the local food pantry with Faith Global Methodist Church.

Congratulations, Audree, on your many achievements! We know that you will make Buchanan proud!

08/14/2026

We would like to congratulate Hope Anderson on being elected President of the Michigan Association of County Treasurers. Hope is also the President of the Cass Community Fund and on the Board of Trustees at Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. A true pillar of our community. 👏

Cass County Treasurer Hope Anderson has been elected president of the Michigan Association of County Treasurers (MACT) at the association’s recent conference in Bay City.

Read more here: https://casscountymi.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/706