The Sanilac County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Gage Larson and Alyssa Woodbeck are the 2020 Samcyzk/Ball “Pay-It-Forward” Scholarship recipients.
Gage Larson is the son of Gwen Larson and Russ Madaus. At Sandusky High School, Gage participated in band, drama, National Honor Society, (YAC) Youth Advisory Council, Key Club, and Tennis. He is very excited for his next journey at The University of Michigan.
Alyssa Woodbeck is the daughter of Pam and Brian Woodbeck. Alyssa has always been dedicated to serving her community. She was a Girl Scout for 12 years and in high school. She was involved in Key Club and NHS, serving as president to both. Alyssa was also involved in other activities such as band, drama and Mackinac Island Honor Guard. She is attending Central Michigan University as a secondary education major. At CMU she is a part of two organizations, the Education and Human Services Residential College and Future Educators Learning Community.
Through the Sanilac County Community Foundation, the very first Samczyk/Ball “Pay-It-Forward” Scholarship was awarded in 2015 and has since awarded over $150,000 in scholarships to graduating Sandusky High School students as a way to say thank you for all of the important lessons that teachers, the community of Sandusky, and family brought into Ms. Samczyk’s life. The scholarship was named in honor of Ms. Samczyk’s family: Her father, Ed Samczyk, and her mother, Elaine Samczyk (Ball). As for the “Pay-It-Forward” part of the scholarship name, Ms. Samczyk says, “Well, that’s obvious! Simply, pass the goodwill forward and help someone else along the way. That is what it is all about.” She hopes to see the scholarship doing just that – paying it forward – for many years to come.
For further information about the Samczyk/Ball “Pay-It-Forward” Scholarship, and other scholarship opportunities through the Sanilac County Community Foundation, contact Melissa Anderson, Executive Director, at the Foundation office at 810-648-3634.
