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Thirty-four UCS seniors awarded Superintendent's Scholarships to "pursue hopes and dreams"

Students received $1,000 each toward their post-secondary education.

The Utica Community Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence held its fourth annual Superintendent’s Scholarship awards celebration recently at a special dinner honoring this year’s 34 recipients from the class of 2013.

Funding for the scholarship program – more than $90,000 to date – comes primarily from the proceeds of the Arts & Idols Gala sponsored every year since 2009 by the Utica Community Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence.

The recognition dinner and monetary awards were also made possible through the generosity of school community leaders and local business persons, such as Wesner Tuxedo, GCA Services, Inc., Macomb Community College, Stefan's Hope, and Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union.

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Students were selected from Eisenhower, Henry Ford II, Stevenson and Utica High schools and Utica Academy for International Studies with each receiving awards of $1,000 toward their post-secondary education.

The young men and women embody the spirit of reaching higher in UCS by excelling in academics, displaying leadership, serving the community and overcoming personal challenges.

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Speaking to this year’s scholars and their families at the event held April 17 at Cherry Creek Banquet Center in Shelby Township, Superintendent Dr. Christine M. Johns said, “While the students we recognize this evening have a variety of backgrounds and interests and represent all of our high schools and programs, their common bond is a true commitment to district’s college culture.”

Keynote speaker at this year’s awards was 2010 Superintendent’s Scholarship recipient and Utica High School graduate Kevin Cammarata, who is currently at Lawrence Technological University majoring in computer engineering with plans to pursue a Ph.D.

Cammarata, who lost his father at an early age, spoke from the heart as he addressed the students about the value of education and overcoming challenges. He encouraged them to believe in themselves, embrace their opportunities and channel their energy into positive outcomes.

“The education I received in Utica Community Schools helped me tremendously in my university studies,” he said. “Further, I had teachers who saw potential in me that I didn’t even know I had and pushed me to pursue my hopes and dreams.”

The recipients this year are:

  • Denis Balan – Stevenson High School
  • Satchel Bianchi – Utica High School
  • Iliria Camaj – Utica High School
  • Maria Cinquegrani – Stevenson High School
  • Sandra Dallo – Henry Ford II High School
  • Stefano DeBellis – Eisenhower High School
  • Olivia Failla – Eisenhower High School
  • Trevor Franzen – Utica High School
  • Madison Fullmer – Henry Ford II High School
  • Jessica Gaines – Utica Academy for International Studies
  • Deanna Galer – Utica Academy for International Studies
  • Kevin Gargano – Henry Ford II High School
  • Lucas Gelmini – Stevenson High School
  • Amaanat Gill – Stevenson High School
  • Joseph Gjeleviq – Eisenhower High School
  • Jazmin Goines – Utica High School
  • Kelly Griffin – Henry Ford II High School
  • Jake Huneau – Utica Academy for International Studies
  • Georgia Hurchalla – Henry Ford II High School
  • Marisa Koppel – Eisenhower High School
  • Katrina Kossajda – Utica High School
  • Megan Macciomei – Eisenhower High School
  • Kaylee McKenna – Utica High School
  • Emily Minca – Eisenhower High School
  • Jack Murphy – Utica High School
  • Brandon Narodzonek – Stevenson High School
  • Carlton Reynolds – Stevenson High School
  • Beata Sas – Stevenson High School
  • Dennis Thomas – Eisenhower High School
  • Devon Timmerman – Eisenhower High School
  • Jana Tremucha – Stevenson High School
  • Hardik Tripathi – Stevenson High School
  • Meagan Williams – Stevenson High School
  • Scott Williams – Eisenhower High School

The Superintendent’s Scholarship program has become more successful each year, growing from eight students its inaugural year to a total of 90 scholars, counting those this year. Recipients have gone on to prestigious colleges and universities across Michigan and the nation.

This year’s schools include Boston College, Howard University and Texas Tech as well as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Detroit Mercy and Macomb Community College.

The fifth annual Arts & Idols Gala scholarship fundraiser will take place Thursday evening, May 30 at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township. It promises to again be a great evening out and supports a true investment in higher learning – as our scholarship winners have demonstrated. Ticket information for the Gala is available at www.artsandidols.com.

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