United Way announces winners of annual Volunteer United Youth Scholarships
High-school seniors in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties with a record of volunteerism were awarded a $1,000 scholarship toward post-secondary credentials.
United Way of Southwest Michigan is proud to bestow this year’s Volunteer United Youth Scholarship Awards to one winner from each of the three counties in its area—Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren—who have demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism through Creativity, Dedication, and Advocacy for Community Improvement throughout their high-school careers.
The 2024 Volunteer United Youth Scholarship recipients are Sawyer Lundberg (Berrien County - Niles High School), Addyson Wrigley (Cass County - Edwardsburg High School), and Tiyanna Covington (Van Buren County - Hartford High School). These winners were selected by a panel of their peers.
Motivated by his immigrant great-grandparents, Sawyer Lundberg is a Niles High School senior who is a self-starter. He has volunteered at the hospital in Niles, helping patients and staff with whatever is needed. He uses his art skills to recognize and encourage the hospital team and has collected socks for seniors in the area. He has a passion for the environment and the beauty of Southwest Michigan with a desire to “make a long-lasting, tangible impact in my community.” Because of this he created his own service project, “Trees Across Berrien”, which includes visiting elementary classrooms, reading Would You Could You Plant a Tree with Dr. Seuss’s Lorax and delivering saplings to them. More than 500 trees have been planted in the county through his efforts. He hopes that he can “find the intersections of business, corporate sustainability and improvements in rural health care” in college and believes strongly that his volunteer experience thus far has given him the confidence to continue to help make his community better while bringing others along on the journey with him.
Addyson Wrigley’s favorite volunteer event thus far has been “Operation Christmas” during which the National Honor Society’s members provided a great Christmas for a local family. This Edwardsburg High School senior is motivated by the great need that she sees. “As long as there are things to be done, I will volunteer,” she states. With a goal of being a pediatrician, Addyson has learned valuable skills through volunteering, including time management, leadership, and empathy. Her volunteer efforts include marking snowmobile trails, working at concession stands, running sporting events, blood drives and the Adopt-a-Highway program. She has served as President of the Student Council for three years, is a member of S.A.D.D (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Editor of the school yearbook, on the Varsity golf team, and is a scholar athlete.
Tiyanna Covington is a senior at Hartford High School with a love for education. She started a tutoring program at Hartford Middle School called “Helping Hand” and subsequently was recognized at the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America state competition for her efforts. Additionally, she has volunteered to help teachers with lesson plans and managing their classrooms and has helped at many district sporting events at her school. She is a blood donor. When asked what motivates her to volunteer, she responded “I like knowing I am lifting a weight off somebody’s shoulders. I honestly love the fact that I help somebody that needed my help.” She encourages her family to volunteer with local blood drives and enjoys working with the youth in her community to help prepare them for high school.
“During National Volunteer Week, it’s fitting to recognize these incredible youth leaders who are serving their communities in unique and meaningful ways. We applaud them and the hundreds of other high school seniors who make service to others a priority in their lives,“ said Debbie Ramirez, Volunteer Engagement Director at United Way of Southwest Michigan.
ABOUT UNITED WAY
United Way of Southwest Michigan fights for the Health, Education, and Financial Stability of every person in every community. We have the influence and relationships to make sustainable change a reality. By harnessing resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners, we provide immediate assistance to our most vulnerable populations while addressing the root causes of our community's longstanding challenges and changing lives for the better. To join the fight—through giving, advocacy, and volunteering—visit www.uwsm.org.
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