2015 Margaret Starkey Scholarship winners announced

The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation annually awards the Margaret Starkey Scholarship to outstanding, non-traditional students who are advancing their education while working.

This year there are 13 winners, each of whom will receive a $1,000 scholarship. They are:

Amber Baidel of Advanced Medical Solutions, who will be attending Cleary University

Adam Baranski of Livingston County Essential Transportation, who will be attending Cleary University

Renee David of Mott Community College, who will be attending Cleary University

Lindsey Hayes (Carbary) of AA Gear & Manufacturing, who will be attending Cleary University

Erin Elizabeth Killop of Citizens Insurance, who will be attending Cleary University

Karen McColl-L’Esperace of Wellbridge of Brighton, who will be attending Lansing Community College

Renee Nichols of Brighton Ford, who will be attending Baker College of Owosso

Nikki Pace of Baymont Inn & Suites, who will be attending Ross Medical

Patrick Quiggin of Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, who will be attending Mott Community College

Kendra Rocha of Country Mouse Child Care, who will be attending Grand Valley State University

Michael Siburt of CZ Cartage Inc., who will be attending Schoolcraft College

Courtney York of Armor Protective Packaging, who will be attending Cleary University

Patricia Young of Hatch Stamping, who will be attending Washtenaw Community College

The six students attending Cleary University also receive a matching scholarship from Cleary.

Applicants are nominated by their employers, and the winners chosen best exemplify the personal qualities of Margaret Starkey, who was executive assistant of the chamber for 31 years until she retired in 1987; she passed away in 2002.

Mrs. Starkey was dedicated and enthusiastic, a woman who had great attention to detail and a love of community service. These outstanding personal qualities helped her achieve great success despite big obstacles in her life.

Some of the other criteria used to evaluate candidates included self-motivation and creativity, customer service, leadership and self-confidence. In order to nominate an employee, a company has to be located in Livingston County.

Donations to the scholarship fund can be made to the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 123 E. Washington St., Howell, MI 48843.

All donations over $500 will be recognized on the Margaret Starkey page of the Howell Chamber of Commerce website, howell.org, with a link to the donor’s website.

For more information, contact Pat Convery, president of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, at 517.546.3920 or pconvery@howell.org.