LMC School Fund Awards $15,000 in College Scholarships

There is a lot to celebrate as the Lake Michigan Catholic High School Class of 2022 prepares to turn their tassels at tonight’s commencement ceremony. Every graduate is college-bound and their achievements are astounding. The Lake Michigan Catholic School Fund is proud of each and every student, and is pleased to award $15,000 in college scholarships to seven deserving recipients.

“The Fund manages five endowments that generate about $200,000 in tuition assistance and scholarships annually,” explains fund president John Proos. “We are so proud of these extraordinary young adults, and feel fortunate to be able to demonstrate our support through these contributions to their future studies.”

Claire LaSata received the John L. Globensky Memorial Scholarship and will attend Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN, where she will major in biology. LaSata balances coaching, academics, athletics, volunteering, working on the family farm, and working at the local golf club. Proos describes her as a “determined, hard-working and intelligent student athlete,” who has “maintained a high GPA and excelled in the classroom.”

Harrison Lewis was awarded the Beth Blanchard Memorial Scholarship and will attend the University of Michigan’s prestigious Residential College this fall to study history. He’s also a talented musician and uses his gift to mentor others. “I say brilliant and I mean it. Harry is the kind of student who keeps a teacher on her toes,” shares teacher Amanda Bruce. “He has such a deep curiosity that I often find myself planning my lessons around the question ‘How can I challenge Harry?’”

Chloe Mills received the Theisen Family College Scholarship and will major in business at St. Mary’s College. Mills is a scholar-athlete, captain of the varsity soccer and volleyball teams, and a mentor to young athletes. Mills is also student council vice president, an avid volunteer and “a direct and confident young adult who has truly become a leader among her peers,” shares Bruce. “Chloe faces challenges head-on with grace and determination – she’s a true leader.”

Connor Shooks received the four-year Jennifer Monte Memorial Scholarship and will pursue his sports management degree within the esteemed Quinlan Honors Program at Loyola University Chicago. The student council president, scholar, athlete and volunteer is described by Ebon Sanders, executive director and lead coach for First Tee, as a “young man who embodies intelligence, organization, service and a positive attitude.”

Holly Starr received the James K. Smith Memorial Scholarship and will attend Loyola University Chicago, where she will major in biomedical engineering. “She has been a member of almost every club offered,” shares social studies department head Anna Bourjaily. “Holly truly is a one-of-a-kind student. She excels academically and athletically, but is admired by many for her kindness and willingness to always help out a friend.”

Joshton Szczepanski received both the Hugh and Zell Naffziger Memorial and Shaya Whitt Memorial scholarships. He will attend St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, to pursue his degree in political science, with minors in business administration and education. Szczepanski is active in student council, interact club, athletics, band, drama and community service. Academic counselor Allison Gleiss shares “I admire most his determination,” and that despite adversity, “he is always so positive and optimistic.”

The nonprofit Lake Michigan Catholic School Fund was founded in 1969 and exists to provide aid to Our Lady of The Lake Catholic School in St. Joseph, MI. In the past five years, the Fund’s endowments have generated nearly $1.7 million in direct financial support to aid Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School. The Fund is a 501c3 organization, and is independent from the diocese, parishes and schools.

	Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School Downtown Campus Grades 6th - 12th Grade 915 Pleasant Street St. Joseph, MI 49085 Phone: 269-983-2511 Fax: 269-983-0883		Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School South Campus Grades PS - 5th Grade 3165 Washington Avenue St. Joseph, MI 49085 Phone: 269-429-0227 Fax: 269-429-1461		"Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rooted in Sacred Scripture and centered on the Eucharist, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School embraces the values of Education, Faith and Citizenship.”
	Diocese of Kalamazoo Policy on Non-Discrimination The Schools of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the schools. The Schools of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school administered programs and activities, employment policies or contractual agreements.