Council President Gary Ruffner opened the ceremonies
by informing the delegation in attendance that it was a great
pleasure to honor our union families on the evening of scholarship
presentations. It was one of the great opportunities we have to
honor all of our union families and their children. He first honored
the memory of Marshall Hicks in whose name the Scholarships were
given. The Scholarship program was explained and how Merit Scholarship,
a national non-profit organization selects the recipients based
upon merit. He informed the delegation in attendance that we were
there to honor the memory of Marshall Hicks, whose life was cut
short by cancer and what a fine man he was and that he always
believed in education. Marshall Hicks was always there whenever
needed and it was a great honor to have the scholarship program
named after him. Marshall Hicks was from one of our own locals,
Local 258, a former Council President, Secretary-Treasurer and
President of the National Union. He was a great unionist who always
put the members first - even ahead of his health. We can all be
proud of the scholarships that we present in his name and be proud
of the fine young recipients of this great honor. These are the
third and fourth scholarships awarded and the first two were presented
to two fine young women last year by Mrs. Marge Hicks, wife of
the late Marshall Hicks.
President Ruffner read the recommendations and then had each recipient
read their essay before presenting the scholarships to each recipient.
The recipients were honored for their accomplishments, and we
also honored the parents for their great direction and guidance
which resulted in the fine young and accomplished recipients.
It was a wonderful celebration where the delegation applauded
the recipients and their parents, followed by a reception where
the delegation was able to personally congratulate and speak with
the parents and recipients. The Council and delegates are proud
to have such a program for all members of the Michigan State Utility
Workers council.
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Nathan Groff, Scolarship recipient
and Council President Gary Ruffner |
Nathan and his parents, Kathy and Gary |
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Levi Bakker and his parents Karen and Jeffy |
Levi and the brothers he loves and cares
for so much; left to right: Levi, Ezra, Tick, Karen, Marshall,
Jeffy, Zach |
School Recommendation ~
Levi Bakker
I am writing this letter on behalf of
Mr. Levi D. Bakker for the purpose of my full recommendation for
scholarship consideration. Let me state that I consider this an
honor to have the opportunity to expound on this young man's abilities
and attributes. I have known Levi's family for approximately three
years and I hope that I will have the opportunity to compose similar
letters like this for his younger brothers.
The Bakker family has resided in Charlevoix for 16 years,
where Levi's father is employed by Consumer's Power in their Big
Rock Nuclear Plant. The family is well respected and each of the
children are known as model students and excellent examples of
fine young men. The Bakker family consists of five boys and their
parents. Levi's older brother is attending Lake Superior State
University at this time and each of the younger brothers attend
Charlevoix Public Schools.
If I were to ask any of the instructors at Charlevoix High School
about Levi, they would say, "I wish I had a whole class of
students like him". Levi has always accepted the challenge
that Charlevoix schools has presented to him. He has excelled
enough to be taken on as a technology assistant. The position
of Technology Assistant involves keeping all of the school's computers
up and running. It is not uncommon to see Levi giving up his after-school
time to assist in repairing one of the computers at Charlevoix
High School.
I have also seen Levi at many of his younger brother's functions
(soccer games, band performances, etc.). When he talks about his
brothers, it is with genuine love and respect for each one. Unlike
many other sibling rivalries, Levi is respected by his brothers
and many of their friends. He is one of the most giving people
I know.
As a counselor, I know that it is best that my students go out
into the world and become productive members of society. My only
hope is that after completing his course of study, Levi Bakker
will come back to Charlevoix and continue with the Bakker tradition
of being an outstanding community-minded family. Your organization
will not go wrong by helping this young man continue his academic
success. He is one of those students that you want the best for.
Any way that ~1ou can help him would be appreciated.
Thank you for the opportunity to talk about Levi Bakker. It makes
me feel good to be able to tell strangers about such a wonderful
student.
School Recommendation ~
Nathan Groff
I am pleased to recommend Nathan Groff
for the Michigan State Utilities Workers Council Scholarship.
I have known Nathan and his family for a number of years and presently
teach Nathan in Economics.
Nathan has been a Special Honors student during his years at Michigan
Lutheran. He carries a 3.94 GPA after six semesters is currently
ranked first out of 28 in his senior class and will graduate in
May 1999.
Nathan has garnered a host of awards and honors during his high
school career, including tht National Science Merit Award in `96
and `97, Who's, Who in High School for `96 and `97 and the U.S.
Achievement Academy Award for `96 and `97. He earned the Soccer
Titan Award `98. He was voted Michigan Lutheran's D.A. R. representative
for the Good Citizenship Award.
Nathan is involved in a variety of activities at MLHS. He has
served as Class President and Student Council member and participated
in choir and Festival Singers. He has earned varsity letters in
Soccer, Basketball and Baseball, including District and State
honors in Soccer and Basketball. He is captain of the basketball
team. All these activities have served to develop Nathan's outstanding
leadership skills.
Church and community service are also important to Nathan and
his family. He has served ir his church youth group, food drives
for the ncedy and worked at a local Soup Kitchen. He also
has helped organize paper drives and worked as a lifeguard at
our local beaches.
Nathan Groff is a fine Christian young man with a variety of gifts
and abilities. I heartily recommend him for this scholarship award.
Essay ~ Levi Bakker
What are the characteristics, accomplishments
and goals that set me apart? That's a thought provoking question
- especially since I'm at the age where blending in is usually
the name of the game. I'm sure ther are many students out there
with general goals similar to mine: graduating from high school,
going to college and then making their mark in the "real
world". So, what does set me apart?
My life is divided into two major segments:
family/friends and school/work. Since I am the second of five
boys, sometimes I'm seen a part of a unit: I'm "one of the
Bakker boys". However, there are traits that set me apart
from my brothers. There are two obvious physical difference -
I'm the biggest of the five and I have dimples. Then there are
the not so obvious differences - I'm outgoing and enjoy a good
debate, especially with my dad. This year I became eligible to
vote and, through discussions about the issues, have discovered
that some of my political views are different than my parents.
Within my church and youth group, I am a small group student co-facilitator.
This entails being a peer role model, leading discussions in a
small group setting, and helping plan group activities. I find
interacting with adults and my peers in this manner very rewarding.
In school, I've had opportunities to
set myself apart in a positive way. I've been in band since sixth
grade and have been willing to change instruments whenever needed
to benefit the sound of the band. I was named MVP at band camp
for my positive and helpful attitude. In addition to participating
in marching and concert band, I have joined a school jazz band
this year. Since this band meets before school, this involves
a daily commitment to be at school an hour early to practice Along
with the opportunity to expand my musical interests, I have been
given the chance to get a head start on my chosen career - computer
sciences. I am one of two technical aides in the computer department
at school. My main job is to troubleshoot problems with the computers.
I am also working after school for the local Intermediate School
District in the same capacity. Currently I am doing independent
studies in advanced computer programming, a subject that is not
part of the normal curriculum. I've designed my own course outline
and submit reports every 4 weeks to an advisor. I am also a member
of the National Honor Society. Beyond academics, I have been on
the golf team for 3 years and am anticipating playig my fourth
year of baseball. I have been able to accomplish all this while
maitaining a 3.89 GPA.
Earlier I mentioned being at an age where
blending in is preferable. I feel I've managed to split the difference.
Outwardly, I may seem to be part of the crowd, but the effort
I'm putting in to achieveing my goals really does set me apart.
Essay ~ Nathan Groff
I believe the Lord belsses each of us
differently with our own unique qualities and abilities. These
distinctions together with our upbringing cause us to be a reflection
of our community. In my academics I've always strived to achieve
my best whether that means staying up late studyig or asking questions
after class. I feel I owe this to my parents, community, myself
and my school. I come from a small school of 140 students and
take pride in the education I have received there. As class president,
and a captain in varsity soccer and basketball I've enjoyed being
a leader by helping provide structure with my classmates and voicing
their opinion in student government affairs. Being part of soccer
and basketball teams that both won district titles last year has
helped show me how success can be attained if everyone works together.
I have also been honored by receiving the D.A.R. Good Citizen
Award representing my school.
This summer I had the great privilege
of residing in a lifeguard tower at the local beach on Lake Michigan.
Along with being at the summer's hottest social scene comes the
awesome responsibility of watching over the sfaety of hundreds
of swimmers. It was a good experience for me, relating the rules
to the public and being an active member in my community. I liked
the challenge of responsibility and plan on taking more advanced
courses in lifeguarding and CPR applications.
I am also active in the teen group at
Grace Lutheran Church. Recently we helped out at a local soup
kitchen in our neighboring community. As I become an adult I'd
like to find more ways to help the less fortunate in my community.
I consider starting colege as the beginning
of my adult life. I am looking forward to the challenge of attaining
an engineering degree as well as living on my own. As I study,
however, I also want to enjoy a social campus and be involved
in my university through sports and other organizations. I want
to make my parents proud, but understand achieveing these goals
is going to reqire determination and hard work. I am fueled by
excitement of job options that are out ther efor an engineer in
today's work force. I am also looking forward to some day starting
a family of my own, and raising them under the morals that have
structured me throughout my short lifetime. With my firm strength
in God and trust in his will these plans can be accomplished.
In retrospect I don't think I would have
applied myself any differently through my high school career.
I hpe that I have been a positive influence on my home, school,
town and church, and that my scholarhsip, leadership ad abilities
reflect how proud I am to be a part of this community. I think
I have grown and learned a vast quantity, but i will readily admit
that I don't know it all. I'm very excited about embarking on
the new frontier of my life that will be the college experience.
