The Montague-Whitehall Rotary Club recently recognized six area high school graduates with $1,000 college scholarships for their service to the community and their accomplishments in the classroom.
The grant awards were funded through several Rotary fundraisers, including the annual Night On The Town silent auction and dinner, No More Bull Raffle, Pancake Breakfast, and the recent Bacon, Bloodies and Brews.
The six grant award winners are Whitehall graduates Grace McDowell, Brady Tate and Brian Mulac and Montague graduates Grace Torsch, Annette Jensen and Aidan Kutches.
McDowell, the daughter of Dr. Jerry and Sandi McDowell, is planning to attend Michigan State University’s Lyman Briggs residential honors college for Health and Science. She will be on a pre-med track with a goal of becoming a OBGYN. McDowell served as student council president and in National Honor Society at Whitehall, as well as playing golf, tennis and basketball. She earned an MHSAA Scholar-Athlete award this year. Rotary sponsored her attendance at a week-long 2024 World Affairs Seminar at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Tate, the son of Brad and Susan Tate, is planning to study radiation therapy at Grand Valley State University. Tate served as class secretary and student council secretary all four years in high school and was on the LINK crew and Hope Squad the past two years. Tate also was in National Honor Society and the White Lake Interact Club and played tennis and golf.
Mulac, the son of Mike and Betty Mulac, is planning to attend the University of Michigan this fall. He wants to study architecture and design buildings that work with the environment. The National Honor Society member has run the tutoring program and was the treasurer of the White Lake Interact club. Brian also participated in Hope Squad, LINK crew, the jazz band, Science Olympiad and quiz bowl.
Torsch, the daughter of Kim Torsch, is planning to major in applied mathematics and minor in computer science at Hillsdale College. Her goal is to significantly contribute to her community. Last summer she operated her own garden maintenance business. The four-year FFA member served as the chapter’s vice president her senior year. She also participated in band and volleyball and had the top grade point average of the senior class.
Jensen, the daughter of Todd and Jennifer Jensen, intends to pursue a dual major in music performance and chemistry or audiology. During the summer Annette has worked as a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons. The National Honor Society member also participated in FFA, tutored and founded the sign language club. She ran track and field and played in the school band. Annette also played in the Holland and Grand Rapids youth symphonies.
Kutches, the son of Mark and Melissa Kutches, will attend Ferris State University in the fall, where he will be a part of the six-year pharmacy program. He would like to work at a retail or hospital pharmacy. Aidan was Rotary Interact Club president for two years, tutored, served at church, and helped at the library and playhouse. At school he participated in band, bowling, golf, FFA, Student Senate and National Honor Society.
