TAYLOR SCHOOL DISTRICT Foundation for Educational Excellence holds annual breakfast

The Taylor School District’s Foundation for Educational Excellence held its annual appreciation breakfast at the “Chopping Block” restaurant, which is part of the district’s culinary arts program.

Ken Nelson, Scholarship Committee Chairperson, MC’d the affair, which culminates in awards to the Foundation’s top donors each year. The Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds for scholarships and other endeavors in support of the Taylor School District.

One of the Foundation’s biggest campaigns each year ends with graduating seniors awarded scholarships to the school of their choice. Traditionally, that meant Kennedy and Truman high schools. Moving forward, the organization will focus on graduates of the new Taylor High School.

The celebratory breakfast opened with prayer led by Pastor Ryan Bettinger, Taylor Ministerial Association Representative to the Foundation.

Nelson reviewed the theme from the previous presentations: “Angel Wings” from the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” emphasizing that donors are angels; and then “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” emphasizing that donors are winners. This year’s theme was “Beacons of Light.”

Six students from the Taylor High School Honors Choir performed the song, “You Can’t Be a Beacon (if Your Light Don’t Shine).”

One of the donors, Tim Rodgers (Class of 1976) John F. Kennedy High School) was in attendance. He discussed his experiences in the Taylor Schools and the support and nurturing he received from teachers, coaches, and principals who led to his very successful career in business.

Because of those experiences he has decided to be a “beacon” and give back to the Taylor Public Schools and establish a scholarship. Nelson awarded Foundation “Certificates of Appreciation” to various donors of scholarships, including Mayor Rick Sollars, totaling approximately $30,000, to be distributed in June 2019.

Each certificate was imprinted with the donor’s name and a picture of a lighthouse shining its beacon of light. In addition, a certificate of appreciation was awarded to Roger (1967 Taylor Center graduate) and Pam (1967 J.F. Kennedy graduate) Swap. They gave a very generous donation to the Foundation, which will support the funding of students who are enrolled in the school district vocal music, instrumental music and drama programs, to attend The Phantom of the Opera at the Fisher Theater in January 2019.

Last June, Kennedy High School graduates who earned Foundation-related scholarships included:

• Jazmine Plank ($500) A.J. Webb Memorial Scholarship

• Jayla Dallas ($500) A.J. Webb Memorial Scholarship

• Owen Matthews ($500) Award for Educational Achievement

• Violet Ramage ($1,000) Ann Robertson Drank Scholarship

• Dominick Brock ($650) Charles Bonner Going Forward Award

• Ethan Harris ($1,250) Charles Dickelman University of Michigan Scholarship

• Baylee Collins ($500) Educational Athletic Scholarship

• Chinweoke Ezeokoli ($500) Dearborn Federal Credit Union Educational Achievement Award

• Brandy KeeSee ($500) Grodman Cure Foundation/Shane Simmons Memorial Scholarship

• Brianne Hardacre ($500) Laura Trent Memorial Scholarship

• Hunter Rodden ($500) Mayor Rick Sollars Scholarship

• Kirsten Vallimont ($500) Taylor Changing Lives Scholarship

• Natalie Cook ($500) Taylor Ministerial/ Making A Difference Award

• Rebecca Swift ($500) Taylor Public Schools Foundation Scholarship

• Hannah Bolsley ($500) Taylor School District Alumni Association Scholarship

• Raphael Vizconde ($500) Total Community Credit Union Scholarship

• Katelyn Willim ($500) Women’s Auxiliary of the Democratic Club of Taylor Scholarship.

Last June, Truman graduates who earned Foundation-related scholarships were:

• DeJanae Benton ($1,250) Charles Dickelman University of Michigan Scholarship

• Emily Conklin ($500) Dearborn Federal Credit Union Education Achievement Award

• Alex Kolnitys ($500) Educational Athletic Scholarship

• MacKenzie Raboczkay ($500) Mayor Rick Sollars Scholarship

• Chase Nester ($500) Taylor Changing Lives Scholarship

• Amber Thompson ($500) Taylor Changing Lives Scholarship

• Sara Sherazi ($500) Taylor Ministerial Scholarship

• Sara Timoficuil ($500) Taylor Public School Foundation Scholarship

• Sarah Woolley ($500) Taylor School District Alumni Association Scholarship

• Austin Gignac ($500) Total Community Credit Union Scholarship

• Cierra Jones ($500) Women’s Auxiliary of the Democratic Club Scholarship

• Tomi DaSilva ($500) Robert and Mary Merman Award