The Community Choice Foundation has opened the application period for 25 scholarships totaling $100,000.

Scholarships are available in the amount of $2,500 and $5,000, with applications closing on Feb. 28.

Brittany Thorton, a 2023 scholarship recipient, says the opportunity allowed her to pursue her dreams of nursing school.

“Identifying scholarships to further my education was quite a process. Having this opportunity to receive a scholarship from Community Choice definitely made a big impact in continuing my education,” said Thorton.

Since 2009, the foundation has awarded $1.6 million in scholarships to students, supporting their pursuit of college degrees, continuing education, and skilled trades.

Selection for scholarship recipients is based on a variety of factors, including commitment to community service.

Apply now before the February 28 deadline by visiting: https://www.communitychoicecu.com/who-we-are/foundation

Ashlee Frankford was the recipient of the DAR Good Citizen Award from West Bloomfield High School.

The Piety Hill Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, honored 16 local high school recipients of the Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Essay Contest on Jan. 9 at the Bloomfield Township Public Library.

The DAR Good Citizen Award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess good citizenship qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. The students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.

There are 3,000 chapters of the DAR nationwide. It was founded in 1890 as a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism.

Prospective educators can connect virtually with employers during job fairs scheduled for March

The Education Workforce Virtual Job Fairs will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 12 and May 14.

The state has experienced a 71% increase in enrollment and completion of teacher preparation programs, from 9,512 students in 2016-17 to 16,260 students in 2022-23. The rise came after a large decrease from 23,203 in 2011-12 to 9,512 in 2016-17, a decline of 59%.

“Michigan has attracted national attention for its work in addressing the teacher shortage,” said State Superintendent Michael F. Rice. “Children have benefited from the efforts across the state in local and intermediate school districts. We continue to have a great deal of work to do, but much has been accomplished in the last few years in this critical area.”

For more information and to register for the job fair visit the Education Workforce Job Fairs webpage.

Anyone who wants information on how to become a certified educator in Michigan can visit the Office of Educator Excellence webpage.

West Bloomfield schools Information and Technology Specialist Colleen Mestdagh was honored by the Detroit Red Wings as one of 25 teachers from across the state to be deemed “Best in Class”.

She was treated to two tickets to a game, a pre-game meal, and Red Wings apparel, along with Meijer and Little Caesar’s gift cards.

Colleen was also congratulated by former Red Wing Justin Abdelkader and she took advantage of the opportunity to see if he wanted to come to Doherty Elementary to read his picture book to the students.

The “Best in Class” program honors 75 teachers throughout the state during three different award ceremonies.

The award recognizes teachers and educators who change the lives of children every day, inside and outside the classroom.

In April, one teacher will be selected as our Best in Class grand prize winner, receiving a $5,000 grant.

Nominations are open for the final 25 teachers to be honored in March. Michigan K-12 educators in all disciplines are eligible for nomination.

Go to https://www.nhl.com/redwings/community/best-in-class to learn more.

Patricia Karban was appointed the new principal at Dublin Elementary by the Walled Lake board of education during its Jan. 9 meeting. Her first day was Monday, Jan. 13.

“I am both joyful and honored to have the opportunity to lead Dublin Elementary School,” said Karban. “Together, we will build on the strong foundation that already exists, and I am confident that the remainder of the year will bring exciting opportunities for growth and achievement.”

Karban came to Walled Lake from South Bend Community Schools in Indiana, where she served as an elementary principal for the past ten and a half years. Karban has worked in education for nearly two decades starting her career as a middle school science teacher.

She graduated from Bethel University in Indiana with a Master of Education degree in 2013 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from University of Dayton in 1997.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Karban to the Walled Lake family as the new principal of Dublin Elementary School,” said Superintendent Michael Lonze. “Her passion for education, commitment to student success, and dedication to fostering a positive school community make her the perfect leader to inspire and guide the Dublin learning community.”

Oakland University will host their 33rd annual Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards celebration on Monday, Jan. 20 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Oakland Center Founders Ballrooms.

The event will feature Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose as the keynote speaker.

The Keeper of the Dream Award was established in January 1993 to recognize Oakland University students who have contributed to interracial understanding and good will.

In the past three decades, more than 150 students from a wide variety of academic majors have been awarded Keeper of the Dream scholarships totaling more than $750,000.

The celebration honors the legacy of the late civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and awards scholarships to students that best demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities through their involvement on campus and in the community by breaking down racial and cultural stereotypes and by promoting unity among all people to foster a campus environment rich in diversity and multiculturalism.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the award requirements, please contact the Center for Multicultural Initiatives.