On May 15, the Northern Center in Houghton Lake transformed into a radiant space of celebration, as the Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) hosted its annual Scholarship Awards Dinner—an evening that truly embodied the spirit of generosity, hope, and academic achievement.
Top Featured Photo L to R-Front Row- Jack Patchin, Joshua Mayes, Landon Mann, and Tyler Bailey. Second Row- Jenna Emery, Kendyl Frydrych, Izzy McCourt, Emily Jordan, Madelyn Sabandith, Sidney Horski, Dedia Palmer, Taylor Putt, Abbie Partenio, Jasmine Rieger, Madison Rankin, Hailey Gasper, and Aiden Partenio. Third Row- Jordan Hendershott, Savannah Cichowski, Lauren Fultz, Riley Carter, Terence Carter Jr, Jazmyne Rees, Abby Brace, Melanie Muringer, Elise Cherven, Cole Schilz, Maddison Lattas, Benjamin Mayes, and Ashley Chmielewski. Fourth Row- Braedon Oster, Ben Denlinger, Gabriel Oster, Sawyer Griffis, Owen Barnes, Tyler Watson, Branden Morley, Mason Green, and Matthew Coffey.
From the moment guests arrived, it was evident that this night would be something special. Every detail—down to the last floral centerpiece from Roscommon Floral & Growing Up Greenhouse—spoke of care, intentionality, and deep pride in our students and our community. Thanks to the vision and commitment of the RCCF Board and staff, this year’s event didn’t just honor scholarship recipients; it uplifted everyone in the room.
The celebration recognized 45 remarkable students from Houghton Lake High School, Roscommon High School, and Charlton Heston Academy who were awarded a stunning total of 96 scholarships—amounting to $241,145 in funding for their education. These students are dreamers and doers—many already pursuing college degrees and making strides toward bright futures. And behind them stood a community of donors, parents, mentors, and volunteers who have walked with them every step of the way.
RCCF Executive Director Suzanne Luck opened the evening with a heartfelt message that reflected not only the foundation’s past achievements but also its deep-rooted belief in the power of community. From awarding just $10,000 in scholarships in its early years to now supporting nearly a quarter-million dollars in educational funding annually, RCCF has become a beacon of hope and opportunity in Roscommon County.
This year’s event also marked the inaugural awards of four new scholarship funds, generously established by the Akin, Niekamp, and Bertl families, as well as the Lions Club.
The Northern Center’s outstanding catering and ambiance provided a perfect setting, while beautiful arrangements by Roscommon Floral & Growing Up Greenhouse added warmth and color to the celebration. Behind the scenes, the steadfast work of Suzanne Luck (RCCF Executive Director), Cassandra Freeman (RCCF Business Manager), Heather Marra (RCCF Development Manager), and the RCCF Board brought the evening to life in ways that will be remembered for years.
But perhaps the most powerful moments came through the quiet expressions of gratitude—the students thanking donors, parents holding back tears of pride, and community members realizing the profound ripple effects of their contributions.
“This isn’t just a dinner,” Luck shared during her remarks, “it’s a celebration of hope, of hard work, and of the incredible things that happen when a community comes together to invest in its future.”
As we reflect on this unforgettable night, one thing is clear: the future of Roscommon County is bright—and it’s being built by the generous hearts, dedicated students, and supportive families who believe in the power of education. Let’s keep building futures—together.
Andrew Schmidt Trades Scholarship
- Abby Brace
Ava Raye Gasper Scholarship
- Tyler Bailey
- Hailey Gasper
- Madelyn Sabandith
Bertl Family Scholarship
- Jack Patchin
Bobbe Morley Memorial Scholarship
- Landon Mann
- Sawyer Griffis
Char Goddard Memorial Scholarship
- Jenna Emery
Clyde F. Shaltz Memorial Scholarship
- Riley Carter
Donald W. & Beverly Nester Memorial Scholarship
- Kendyl Frydrych
Evelyn Fraser Scholarship
- Jack Patchin
Fidelity Chapter #50, Order of the Eastern Star Scholarship
- Matthew Coffey
Ford and Marguerite Silsby Scholarship
- Izzy McCourt
Forest & Rita Hacker Family Sportsmanship Scholarship
- Tyler Bailey
- Madison Rankin
Gerrish-Higgins Roscommon Alumni Association Scholarship
- Elise Cherven
- Joshua Mayes
- Jenna Emery
- Sawyer Griffis
- Izzy McCourt
- Madison Rankin
Harry & Marjorie Walbridge Scholarship
- Kendyl Frydrych
- Owen Barnes
- Izzy McCourt
- Ben Denlinger
- Savannah Cichowski
- Madelyn Sabandith
- Joshua Mayes
- Lauren Fultz
- Jenna Emery
- Mariah Thompson
- Jordan Hendershott
Houghton Lake Class of 1983 Memorial Scholarship
- Madelyn Sabandith
Houghton Lake Rotary Club Memorial Scholarship
- Madelyn Sabandith
- Sidney Horski
Houghton Lake Sports Booster Scholarship
- Melanie Muringer
Jack Danieleski Scholarship
- Hailey Gasper
Karen & Frank Arleth Memorial Scholarship
- Branden Morley
Kelly Dunmire Memorial Scholarship
- Elise Cherven
Kyle Akin Scholarship
- Branden Morley
Lawrence C. Dashner Scholarship
- Abby Brace
- Gabriel Oster
- William Oster
- Elise Cherven
- Shelby Jarski
- Katelyn Spindler
- Abbie Partenio
- Ashley Chmielewski
- Landon Mann
- Mason Green
- Jazmyne Rees
Layton International Scholarship
- Sidney Horski
- Tyler Watson
Lion’s Club Scholarship
- Gabriel Oster
- Shelby Jarski
- Katelyn Spindler
Michael R. Treml Memorial Athletic Scholarship
- Jack Patchin
Mike M. & Patricia M. Ignat Scholarship
- Emily Jordan
Mr. J’s Buckeye Nuts College Scholarship
- Benjamin Mayes
Patriot Scholarship
- Abby Brace
Ralph, Thela, and Kurt Ostling Memorial Scholarship
- Owen Barnes
- Joshua Mayes
- Jenna Emery
Rex & Arlene Gillen Scholarship
- Holley Hendershott
- Tyler Bailey
- Braedon Oster
- Madison Rankin
- MaKena Raden
- Maddison Lattas
- Cole Schilz
- Jasmine Rieger
- Aiden Partenio
- Sidney Horski
- Dedia Palmer
- Hailey Gasper
- Tyler Watson
- Terence Carter Jr.
- Taylor Plutt
- Emily Jordan
Robert J. Kunik Memorial Scholarship
- Sidney Horski
Roscommon Rotary Club General Fund Scholarship
- Sawyer Griffis
- Jack Patchin
- Joshua Mayes
- Landon Mann
- Owen Barnes
Roscommon Soccer Teams Scholarship
- Elise Cherven
- Ben Denlinger
Ruth & Ralph Fisher Scholarship
- Melanie Muringer
- Madison Rankin
- Jasmine Rieger
- Dedia Palmer
Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Homes Scholarship
- Lauren Fultz
Thomas Niekamp Scholarship
- Branden Morley
W.H. & Betty J. Scott Memorial Scholarship
- Jack Patchin
William C. Williams (Class of 1950) Scholarship
- Sawyer Griffis