Martin Luther King Scholarship Program Started in Bay City Goes Tri-County

Fifteen Students Receive Awards at Event Keynoted by First Gentleman

February 4, 2007
By: Dave Rogers

A scholarship program started in Bay County has been adopted by five business sponsors and now has a tri-county focus, according to Joy Baker, retired elementary school principal and social activist.

Mrs. Baker noted the success of the program that began in Bay City: "This is a wonderful program and we are so happy that it now has impact throughout the tri-county area."

Fifteen scholarships were awarded Jan. 15 at a regional Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Unity Hall at the Dow Event Center, Mrs. Baker noted.

Keynote address was by Daniel Mulhern, first gentleman of Michigan, with guest address by Antionette (Toni) Turner, assistant superintendent of the Saginaw Public Schools. Master of ceremonies was Matt Franklin, reporter for ABC 12 News, Flint.

Scholarships were presented by Renee Johnston, president/CEO of the Saginaw Community Foundation.

Sponsors of the event are Chemical Bank, The Dow Chemical Co., Dow Corning Corp., S.C. Johnson & Sons Co., and Garber Management Group.


Award winners are:

Angela Smith, Heritage High School, daughter of Irma and Rodrick Smith, who plans to major in Journalism at Howard University;

Sergio Campbell, Bay City Central, son of Sherri Long-Campbell and Lonzo Campbell, who plans Pre-Med studies;

Kiara Crockett, Saginaw High/Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy, daughter of Kermit Crockett and Glenda Crockett, who will major in dance;

Montrel Franklin, Saginaw High, son of Richard Franklin and Kathleen Mask, who will study Business;

John Ketchum, Arthur Hill/Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy, son of William Ketchum Jr. and the late Joyce Ketchum, who will study Broadcasting/Communications at Central Michigan University;

Steven McCoy, Midland Christian, son of Jerri McCoy and Lee McCoy, who plans to major in Engineering at University of Detroit Mercy;

Ashley Merrill, Nouvel Catholic Central, daughter of Anna January-Beal, who will major in Music Production & Engineering;

Vanessa Perez, Swan Valley, daughter of Gilbert Perez and Dawn Perez, who will major in Nursing at Davenport University;

Jessica Scott, Arthur Hill, daughter of Ethelind Scott, who plans to attend North California A&T State University to major in Chemical Engineering;

Derrick Smith, Bay City Central, son of Derrick Smith and Lupe Reyez-Smith, who will major in Psychology at Western Michigan University;

Marche' Smith, Arthur Hill, daughter of Omie Anderson Smith and Marvin Smith, who will major in Pre-Med Biology;

Ashley Staffney, Saginaw High, whose mother is Stacy Staffney and grandmother is Jacqueline Brooks, who plans to attend Tuskegee University to study Political Science;

La Tashia Webb, daughter of Darric Web and Tammy Green, who will major in Nursing at Wayne State University;

Robyn White, Arthur Hill, planning to study Broadcast Journalism at Central Michigan University, the daughter of Cathy White and Kevin White;

Rose Wilson, Arthur Hill, who will study Public Relations and Advertising, the daughter of Susann Taylor and grandmother of Leola Wilson.###