SCHOLARSHIPS

The Forest Hills Educational Foundation maintains the following scholarships. According to procedures previously agreed upon with Forest Hills Public Schools, these scholarships are handled in a variety of ways.  

(Click on a link below to see the Foundation Scholarships awarded by year:)

Scholarships  Awarded - Recipient List By Year

CHARLES ANDERSON
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

In June 1994, the Anderson family established the Charles Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Forest Hills Educational Foundation.  Charlie was a man of achievement in both professional and civic endeavors.  He was a charter member of the Forest Hills Educational Foundation and served as a trustee for ten years.  His many accomplishments included eight years on the Forest Hills Board of Education, with four years as president. 

Charlie was a lively, genial person who made friends wherever he went.  His boundless energy, jovial manner and unselfish nature generated an unending stream of humor and goodwill.  Charlie’s life was a celebration of love and laughter and he lived each moment to the fullest. 

CRITERIA

In this spirit, a scholarship is given each year to a graduating senior at  Forest Hills Northern High School.  The recipient of the scholarship must first and foremost be a community-spirited citizen, demonstrating a commitment to volunteerism in and out of school.  This individual must possess the ability to create feelings of goodwill between students and faculty.  While academics are an important element of this scholarship, equally important are character, integrity, and in the spirit of Charlie, a warm sense of humor.

RECIPIENTS
$3000.00 each
$1,500.00 each (for two recipients)

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SCOTT CHRISLER
MEMORIAL SOCCER SCHOLARSHIP

In 1983, Scott Chrisler, a Forest Hills Central High School student, died in a car accident with a close friend and fellow student, Joe Merkler.  Just one month after the accident, Scott would have celebrated his sixteenth birthday.  Scott’s parents and sister established the Scott Chrisler Memorial Soccer Scholarship in memory of their son and brother.  Initially funded by the memorial gifts received at the time of his death, this scholarship recognizes a senior soccer player for specific accomplishments and contributions as a team member.

The Forest Hills Soccer program started as a club sport in 1981 and Scott was one of the original members.  He was also a member of the club when it became a sanctioned varsity sport.  Scott loved the challenge of the game and thrived on friendships with his fellow players.  His participation in soccer helped build his self esteem and positively impacted  his outlook on life.  Although Scott wasn’t a starter, he could not have been more proud and committed as a member of the team.  This scholarship provides a way for Scott to give something back to soccer and those young men playing the game who had a positive and rewarding influence on his short life.

CRITERIA

The criteria for selecting the recipient of the scholarship is based on the attributes of one of Scott’s soccer team members.  Wally King was the first recipient of the scholarship.  His contribution to the soccer club and support of his team members, especially Scott, will always be remembered.

The recipient of this scholarship must be a graduating senior and a soccer player from Forest Hills Central High School.  This individual must have demonstrated leadership qualities and good sportsmanship, worked to the fullest extent of his academic ability, displayed a high level of moral integrity, shown improvement in soccer, and dedicated himself to the sport and team.

RECIPIENTS
$250.00

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PETER DION
EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND

In June 1995, the parents of Pine Ridge Elementary School PTO established the Peter Dion Scholarship Fund  as a tribute and expression of gratitude.  Pete Dion served as principal at Pine Ridge from 1983 through 1995.  Under Pete’s leadership, Pine Ridge staff and families worked together to establish a strong sense of community spirit and pride.  Pete encouraged students to strive for educational and personal excellence and often encouraged students to pursue careers as educators.

In recognition of his years as principal, a friend to the Pine Ridge community, and his commitment to the field of education, a scholarship is awarded each year to one or two graduating seniors of Forest Hills Central High School.

CRITERIA

One or two Forest Hills Central High School graduating seniors, who are alumni of Pine Ridge Elementary School, are the recipients of this award.  The recipients must intend to pursue a career in education at the college or university of their choice.  These students must have demonstrated leadership, community and school service, and academic excellence.

 RECIPIENT
$500.00 (for one recipient)
              $250.00 each (for two recipients)  

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PAUL OLLEY
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

As  band director for three years at Forest Hills Northern High School and Forest Hills Central Middle School, Paul Olley was very popular with staff and especially with his students.  Paul was a multi-talented individual.  As a graduate student, he worked very closely with the Michigan State University and University of Wisconsin marching bands to develop their programs.  His expertise was evident in his daily interaction with his students.  His quiet strength gave his students the discipline and desire to excel.

Paul’s striving for quality, hard work and appreciation of good music was passed on to his students and resulted in a special bond between them.  Paul was a unique individual, a one-of-a-kind person.  He gave much to all and encouraged every student to succeed.  

CRITERIA

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Forest Hills Northern High School.  This student must demonstrate the love and dedication to music that Paul Olley shared with his students and continue to pursue music at the college level.  

RECIPIENTS
$300.00

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LISA VERBRUGGE
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

In June 1983, Lisa Marie Verbrugge graduated from Forest Hills Northern High School.  Two months later, she died a natural but sudden death.  Her life had been well spent.  She cared deeply about  God, her family, her school, her community and the world beyond Forest Hills.  Lisa was an active student maintaining an above-average academic record, serving as class treasurer for two years, and lettering in basketball and track.

Outside of her Northern High activities, Lisa pursued an on-going volunteer commitment to the Blodgett Hospital Pediatrics Unit, Ada Wheelchair Tennis, Special Olympics, Lincoln School and the Girl Scouts of America.   She spent most of her last summer at a camp on the island of Saipan and her last hours as a Camp Manitou-lin counselor.  Lisa touched many people, young and old, with her sense of humor, her friendship and her sincere interest in all people, as worthy individuals.  In all areas of her life, she proved that she cared.

CRITERIA

The recipients of the Lisa Verbrugge scholarship must be graduating seniors from Forest Hills Northern High School.  This scholarship will be applied to the college or university of each recipient’s choice.   The recipients must have worked to the fullest extent of their academic abilities, participated in one or more extracurricular activities during each year of high school, but  not necessarily athletics.  In addition, the recipients must have exhibited a high level of moral integrity, supported the administration, staff, and student body of Forest Hills Northern High School and  taken an active role in church and/or community life.

RECIPIENTS
$2,500.00 each  

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CHRIS WIETKE
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

In the spring of 1995, the Wietke family established the Chris Wietke Memorial Scholarship through the Forest Hills Educational Foundation.  Chris was a member of the first official graduating class at Forest Hills Northern High School in 1975.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Certificate from Michigan State University and his Master's Degree from Central Michigan University.  Chris served Forest Hills Public Schools for 10 years as Supervisor of Community and Adult Education Programs.

In 1989, Chris’s career was cut short when he lost his battle with cancer and died at the age of 32.  His former classmates and friends demonstrated their love and respect by establishing an annual Memorial Golf Outing in his name.  A portion of the proceeds from this golf outing is used to help fund this scholarship.

The career Chris chose exemplified a strong commitment to continuing education.  He worked diligently to encourage former students to return to the classroom to earn their high school diplomas.  He helped develop educational courses that would be commensurate with the needs of local commerce and industry.  Over 250 adults received high school diplomas during Chris's tenure.

CRITERIA

As a tribute to his dedication, the Chris Wietke scholarship is given to a graduating senior from Forest Hills Northern High School.   Financial need is a consideration for this award and the scholarship shall be utilized for tuition or book fees at the recipient’s choice of college or university.  The recipient shall have participated in either athletic or academic extracurricular activities and preference shall be given to students entering the field of education. 

RECIPIENTS
$500.00  

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DIANE WISNIEWSKI
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

In June 1999, the Wisniewski family established the Diane Wisniewski Memorial Scholarship Fund  through the Forest Hills Educational Foundation.  In 1984, Diane began teaching special education in Forest Hills.  Working at Collins Elementary, Thornapple Elementary and Central Woodlands, she touched the lives of so many students, parents and staff in such positive ways.  Diane was passionate about teaching.  She developed many new programs and traditions, ranging from her annual classroom Thanksgiving celebration (complete with turkey and all the fixings) to the Snack Shack program at Thornapple.  The Snack Shack encouraged special needs students to create a business, successfully operate it over several years and make a profit selling snacks to their peers.  Diane was asked to write an article about her teaching experiences and it was published in a textbook used to train special education teachers.

Diane volunteered a tremendous amount of time in her community as well.  She taught classes at her church, helped coach her daughters’ athletic teams and was a familiar figure jogging down Cascade Road with her beloved dogs.  She devoted countless hours to the American Cancer Society and participated in numerous fund-raising efforts to benefit cancer research.  She was active in the Diane Z Breast Cancer Support Group and was featured in a nationally distributed video, helping to answer questions about coping with breast cancer.  Diane was the founder of a breast cancer support group for Forest Hills staff and provided incredible support to women throughout our community.  In addition, she volunteered to speak with high school students about breast cancer during their health classes.

Diane dearly loved her family, her friends, her students, her community and she was born to be a teacher.  She embodied the essence of what excellence in teaching is all about:  integrity, dedication and commitment to others.  With her positive attitude, contagious enthusiasm, extraordinary organizational skills and incredible sense of humor, Diane made friends wherever she went.  She always confronted the tough issues head on, both personally and professionally.  People counted on Diane and she was always there for them.

CRITERIA

The recipient of this scholarship must be a graduating senior from Forest Hills Central , Eastern or Northern High School exemplifying integrity, dedication and commitment to others.  He /she must hold a minimum G.P.A. of 3.3 at the end of the 7^th semester, and  intend to pursue a career in education.  The recipient must also be involved in extracurricular activities, community service or athletics.

RECIPIENTS
$2,000.00
$500.00 each  

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KELLY GOODWILLIE MEMORIAL FUND

CRITERIA

 Upon request from the Forest Hills Superintendent of Schools and consent from Jim and Mary Goodwillie Nelson, funds will be dispersed to cover expenditures for the district Environmental Science Program.

ERNIE POPIEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

In December 2007, the Ernie Popiel Memorial Scholarship Fund was established through the Forest Hills Educational Foundation. Ernie Popiel was a remarkable parent, a coach and counselor in Forest Hills for 20 years who devoted himself to academics.  He was a dedicated counselor at Northern Hills Middle School who enjoyed the developing minds and personalities of middle school students and had an incredible ability to help them with academic and social growth.  As head coach of the Forest Hills Northern varsity girls’ golf team, his passion for an outstanding tradition of good sportsmanship, competitiveness and self-esteem in all the athletes he coached was rewarded with many conference championships and in 2004 Coach Popiel was voted Michigan golf coach of the year.   

In his spirit a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded each year to one male and one female graduating senior at Forest Hills Northern High School.

CRITERIA

As a tribute to Ernie Popiel and his dedication to education and his students, two scholarships will be awarded in his honor.  The recipients of the scholarships must be graduating seniors who participated in Forest Hills Northern athletics.  The individuals must have demonstrated academic excellence, maintained outstanding leadership qualities on and off the playing field and be a positive social influence in his or her school and community. 

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