Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship Program Awardees
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The Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation and its eight scholarship sponsoring partners awarded 12 scholarships totaling $19,000, on May 20 at a special City of Sterling Heights City Council meeting to area college bound high school seniors, vocational students and current college students living in Sterling Heights and Macomb County.

This marks the 27th consecutive year that the Foundation has awarded scholarships to area youth pursuing degrees in higher education or vocation training.

The Foundation began awarding scholarships in 1999 and has awarded scholarships to 558 area students totaling $544,000, including the 2025 awards.

The organizations awarding scholarships in 2025 are BAE Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems, Mandziuk & Son, Mayor Richard J. Notte Scholarship for Public Service, Professional Public Management Education Scholarship, Ronald Himmler Science Scholarship, the Selfridge Air National Guard Base Community Council, Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation, and Wujek Calcaterra and Sons.

2025 Scholarships
  • BAE Systems – Is awarding one $1,000 scholarship to a Sterling Heights area student pursuing an undergraduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics curriculums. Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.5, entering a North American accredited university or college, be a full-time student and demonstrate involvement in extracurricular and community activities. The BAE awardee is:
  • Hao Do of Warren, MI. Hao is graduating from Cousino High School in June with a 4.5 GPA.  He plans to pursue Computer Science at the University of Michigan, following his interests in computer and information technology, AI and autonomous capabilities.  Hao has been a part of CHS Recycling and Ecology Programs, Student Government, and National Honor Society during high school.
  • General Dynamics Land Systems - Is awarding one $2,000 scholarship to a Sterling Heights area student pursuing an undergraduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics disciplines. Candidates must be high school seniors with a GPA of at least 3.5, who will be enrolled as a full-time student in a North American accredited university or college and demonstrate involvement in extracurricular and community activities. The GDLS recipient is:
  • Parker Johnston of Sterling Heights, MI. Parker is graduating this June from Stevenson High School with a 4.06 GPA and 32nd out of 546 in his graduating class. Parker was a member of Utica Community Schools First Robotics ThunderChickens Team, the manufacturing lead of the National Honor Society and a member of Stevenson's Student Advisory Board. He will be attending Kettering University and co-op with Lear Corporation. He plans on getting an engineering degree and work in product design and development.

• Mandziuk & Son Alex J. Meisel Scholarship for Vocational Education – Is awarding one (1) $1,000 scholarship to a Sterling Heights area resident pursuing any vocational training program. This year's Mandziuk & Son awardee is:
  • Isabella Nihem of Sterling Heights, MI who graduated from Stevenson High School in 2023, and plans to graduate from Macomb Community College in August of 2026 as a Veterinary Technician. Isabella has been working as a Veterinary Assistant and after licensure she plans to continue her education to earn a bachelor's degree in Natural Science.
  • Mayor Richard J. Notte Scholarship for Public Service - Is awarding one $1,000 scholarship to a Sterling Heights resident high school senior or college student pursuing a career in government public service. Applications were judged on academic achievement, financial need, and community service. The Mayor Notte scholarship awardee is:
  • Sophie Seidl who is graduating this June from Dakota High School with a 4.139 GPA and 10th in her class. Sophie has been accepted to the University of Michigan and plans to pursue a degree in Political Science and Public Policy.  She also plans to pursue a minor in Spanish as well as studying abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. Sophie volunteers with middle school students who need extra assistance and has also been active with competitive gymnastics for 12 years.
  • Professional Public Management Education Scholarship - one (1) $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a Sterling Heights area high school senior or a college student who plans to pursue a degree in public administration. This year's awardee is:
  • Paige Labadie of Sterling Heights, MI. Paige graduated from Stevenson High School in 2023. She has completed an associates degree at Macomb Community College and is attending Oakland University this Fall where she plans on obtaining a bachelor's and master's degree in elementary education with a minor in public administration. Paige has worked at the City of Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation Department for the past six years in many roles including the facility site coordinator for the Summer Playground Program, Dodge Park Splash Pad and the Ice Rink.
  • Ronald Himmler Science Scholarship – Is awarding three $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors attending Henry Ford II, Sterling Heights, or Stevenson High Schools with emphasis on science grades. The Ronald Himmler Science scholarship recipients are:
  • Maximus Dexter who is graduating this June with a 4.01 GPA from Henry Ford ll High School.  He will be studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Maximus is a member of the National Honor Society and the swim team.  His goal is to become an automotive engineer.  
  • Serena Elias who is graduating this June with a 4.05 GPA from Sterling Heights High School.  She will be studying Biomechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University. Serena intends to design biomechanical devices.
  • Braeden Tickel who is graduating this June with a 3.83 GPA at Stevenson High School. He will be studying Aerospace Engineering at Michigan Technological University.  He has successfully taken many AP classes including Physics and Mathematics. Braeden intends to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and designing jets.  
  • Selfridge Air National Guard Base Community Council – Is awarding one $1,000 scholarship to the son/daughter of military personnel based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Applicants must be high school seniors, college students, or vocational students. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and demonstrate strong community involvement. This year's Selfridge Air National Guard Base Community Council awardee is:
  • Nathan Farley who is a graduate of Anchor Bay High School, and he will attend Michigan State University in the Air Force R.O.T.C. pursuing his studies in Data Science.  Nathan plans on a career as a Special Investigations officer in the Air Force.
  • Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation - Is awarding two $2,500 scholarships to Sterling Heights area high school seniors pursuing college degrees or vocational training. This scholarship is for Sterling Heights area residents. The Foundation awardees are:
  • Klaudia Brakoniecki of Sterling Heights, MI. Klaudia is graduating from the Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies in June with a 4.03 G.P.A. Her career goal is to serve her community as a police officer. Klaudia plans to study business at U of M this Fall to learn the essential skills she'll need to excel in law enforcement. She then plans to attend a police academy to begin her law enforcement career. Klaudia has served as chair for the Sterling Heights Youth Advisory Board and has volunteered for the Sterling Heights Drug-Free Coalition and the UAIS Chapter for Amnesty International. She is a member of the National Honors Society and Key Club and was the captain for the UAIS Congressional Debate Team, Michigan's #1 high school debate team.
  • Eemi Toma of Sterling Heights, MI, who graduated from Dakota High School in 2024 and currently attends University of Detroit Mercy pursuing a degree in the Political Science Honors Program.  She intends to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in 2027.  Eemi then intends to attend Law School with a long-term goal of serving as a Judge in Macomb County.
  • Wujek Calcaterra and Sons Scholarship - Is awarding one $1,000 scholarship to a Sterling Heights area high school senior pursuing a college degree in any curriculum. Applicants must have a 3.5 GPA and demonstrate community service involvement. This year's awardee is:
  • Timothy Newsome of Clinton Township, MI. Timothy is graduating from Chippewa Valley High School in June with a 3.9 G.P.A.  He plans to study Mechanical Engineering at either Oakland University or U of M Dearborn next Fall.  Timothy has been part of the National Honor Society as well as providing over 500 hours of volunteering tutoring hours through Chippewa Valley Schools.

"The Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation applauds the continual annual scholarship contributions of our eight scholarship partners supporting Sterling Heights area high school seniors and current college students pursue a college or vocational degree," said Karl G. Oskoian, Executive Director and President Emeritus of the Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation. "Community leaders, like our eight scholarship partners, make a difference in the lives of not only the students but the community at large. The Foundation and the community are fortunate to have individuals and companies like our scholarship partners come forward annually and make a difference in the lives of so many outstanding students by helping them pursue their education and professional goals."

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