Five individuals receive career support through Lake Trust Foundation scholarship program.

Through 2030, approximately 45,000 new skilled trade job openings are expected in Michigan annually.¹ This is great news for people who are interested in pursuing an alternative to a traditional four-year degree. And the median annual salary for careers in the professional trades of healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, construction, and automotive is around $61,000¹ with plenty of room for growth.

To uplift students who want to pursue these careers, the New Beginnings Scholarship offers up $7,500 for recipients to use toward tuition, fees, supplies, books, and more costs that support their education.

And through a partnership with Cleary University, the Lake Trust Foundation is also awarded one Michigan Impact Scholarship this year. This scholarship provides up to four years of tuition at the Livingston County-based university. Students can apply the scholarship toward any on-campus or online program at an undergraduate or graduate level of study.

Please help us say congratulations to the 2024 Lake Trust Foundation scholarship recipients and check out stories from each student!

Mikala S. | Welding | New Beginnings Scholarship

Attending a community event at the age of 10 helped Mikala discover her calling. At the event, she was able to try her hand at a virtual welding truck and instantly knew that she wanted to pursue a career as a welding artist. She’s now attending Washtenaw Community College in a welding and technology associate program and preparing to participate in a WorldSkills welding competition in China. While she one day hopes to be an artist and create commissioned pieces, she also aspires to teach others her craft.

“With women in the trades growing in numbers I hope to be a reason those numbers continue to grow, by being a familiar face in the classroom that new students can look up to,” says Mikala of her goal to teach.

Mikala plans to use her New Beginnings Scholarship to help cover school fees and supplies for her program. She also hopes to use some funds for supplies to start her own shop/studio space. After graduating from WCC, she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in welding engineering.

Tameka S. | Nursing | New Beginnings Scholarship

Tameka’s pursuit of a career in nursing will not only have an impact on the health and wellbeing of people in her community, but her ambitions will also impact her family story. As a first-generation college student, receiving the New Beginnings Scholarship represents a transformative moment for Tameka as her dedication and potential as a nurse is recognized.

“Nursing isn't just a career choice for me; it's a calling driven by a profound sense of duty and compassion,” says Tameka. “I am dedicated to serving my community by providing sound medical care, especially to those who may not have easy access to it.”

After graduating from an accelerated second-degree nursing program at Oakland University, Tameka plans to work in a hospital emergency room where she can directly impact patient outcomes and wellbeing. In this role, she sees an opportunity to be a calming presence and a source of reassurance for patients and their loved ones during their most vulnerable moments.

Emily W. | Dental Hygiene | New Beginnings Scholarship

Emily aspires to promote wellbeing in Michigan by improving oral health awareness and access to dental care in underserved communities. She believes that her career path of dental hygiene is a way that she can make a positive impact on peoples' lives, specifically those in underserved areas.

“I am fascinated by the interconnectedness between oral health and overall well-being, and I am driven to educate and empower individuals to prioritize their oral hygiene,” Emily states. “Through preventive education, community outreach programs, and clinical practice, I aspire to contribute to reducing dental diseases and promoting overall well-being in the state.”

 As a current dental hygiene student at Lansing Community College, Emily will use her New Beginnings Scholarship funds to cover tuition and other expenses.

“This scholarship represents more than just financial support; it signifies recognition of my dedication to pursuing a career in dental hygiene,” she says of the importance of receiving a scholarship.

Addison L. | Nursing | New Beginnings Scholarship

Being the source of hope in someone’s darkest moment is the motivation behind Addison’s career path. In the fall, she plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University to study nursing. Addison understands that when a person needs medical attention, they also need someone to listen to them and make them feel heard.

She says, “I love helping people and making them feel better, so this career felt perfect for me.”

Addison understands that hospital settings may feel scary or overwhelming. She strives to make an impact in the community by offering solace and peace to those who may feel alone or scared.

The New Beginnings Scholarship will help cover the costs of Addison’s nursing program, allowing her to dedicate more time to her studies and future goals.

Tim A. | Business Administration | Michigan Impact Scholarship

After serving in the Michigan National Guard for nine years and moving up to a Staff Sargent, Tim is looking for a new way to serve his community. Going back to school to get his bachelor’s degree in business will not only help Tim pivot his career as a truck driver, but this move will serve to inspire his family to follow their dreams as well.

“This scholarship would allow me to complete my degree, feel more rewarded in my career, and most importantly, would allow me to show my daughters that with some effort and research, you can get scholarships and you can go to college without taking on massive student loans,” Tim shared in his Michigan Impact Scholarship application.

Tim currently holds an associate degree in business from Cleary University, and he’s heading back in the fall to pursue his bachelor’s degree. Eventually, he hopes to obtain a master’s degree and serve as a leader in the business community.

Let's uplift future students, together. 

If you missed the 2024 Lake Trust Foundation scholarship applications, you could always apply during the next round of applications. Keep an eye out for announcements in late 2024 or early 2025 about the Lake Trust Foundation scholarship program.

To support the scholarship program and other wellbeing initiatives through the Lake Trust Foundation, consider giving a donation to our nonprofit². You can give a one-time contribution in any amount or set up a recurring monthly donation. Every amount helps support our Michigan communities.

View our 2023 impact report to learn more about the Lake Trust Foundation and meet some of our past scholarship recipients. And help us say congratulations to our 2024 recipients as we wish them well on their future endeavors!

¹Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity. (2024). Michigan Skilled Trades. Retrieved from https://www.mitalent.org/skilled-trades#:~:text=A%20sizable%20professional%20trades%20shortage,the%20state%20during%20that%20time

²The Lake Trust Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization EIN: 45-5332078. Donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.