The 2019 Scholarship Presentation took place Sunday, August 4th at the Ada Covered Bridge. A $3000 check was awarded both to Jon and Austin for their college expenses. It was a beautiful day to honor these two leukemia survivors.
The Michelle Marie Lunn Hope Foundation (MLHOPE) was formed to foster awareness, educate, fund research and provide financial assistance to people affected with a blood cancer. We will be awarding both winners $3000 each at a presentation later this summer. Please help me congratulate these two deserving students.
More about our scholarship winners:
Jon Damzyn, graduate of Gladwin High School
Jon, a student at Saginaw Valley State University is perusing a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. At age 2 he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukmeia and underwent treatment for 3 years. Jon has been active with the American Cancer Society Relay For Life since age 10. Eventually became team captain of the Relay Warriors and committee member. He played Varsity golf for 4 years averaging 76.2 (18 holes) and was a 2 time state qualifier taking 11th & 1oth in state. He dedicates time to kids golf programs in Gladwin. Jon was a member of National Honors Society with community service projects including food distribution and the high school Academic Center, member of GHS rookie FIRST Robotics team being apart of the Electrical team (which made Midland district champions and placed 12th at State. Jon also was in the advanced wings of harmony choir program, joined business club, and started the CERN Penney war for our fellow student, Kennan, who was diagnosed with cancer. Jon graduated with all 3 gold bars, scholar athlete distinction, and my National honor society chords. He enjoys golf, rollerblading, and computer building. Currently he is working at Gladwin Heights Golf Course in the Pro-shop and run an auto detailing business in the summers so he can stay busy.
The Michelle Marie Lunn Hope Foundation (MLHOPE) was formed to foster awareness, educate, fund research and provide financial assistance to people affected with a blood cancer.
Austin Plave-
Austin is a 2015 graduate of South Lyon East High School and is currently a senior at Kettering University pursuing a bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. When Austin was 5 he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and due to him being a slow responder with his treatment had to endure 3.5 years of aggressive chemo and radiation treatment which caused him to have some academic struggles which he has overcome after many years of hard work. While in High School Austin was a student mentor, a member in the National Honors Society, volunteer for “Active Faith” community service program and on the Robotics team. During college he has been an active volunteer for “Kettering’s Service Saturdays”. Austin also works as an intern in the engineering design department of Bosch. Through all this Austin came out from his struggles with more confidence and seizes every moment not letting any opportunity pass him by. He has maintained a 3.72 GPA throughout college and is very deserving of this award.