Supporting our future local leaders…

INTRODUCING THE 2020 RECIPIENTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY CLUB OF GRAND RAPIDS SCHOLARSHIP 

Suchir Gupta: Suchir graduated from Forest Hills Central High School with a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a cumulative unweighted GPA of 4.483.  He attends The University of Michigan College of Engineering.  Suchir’s essay revealed that his passion and academic strengths in computer science led him to put together a team of students who established a non-profit called Coders4Tomorrow summer camp to promote interest among young financially impoverished students in Grand Rapids.  Besides working as a tutor at Kumon Learning Center, he volunteers at a retirement village, helping senior citizens retain their memory by playing games with them.  He was actively involved in varsity tennis and Science Olympiad while also founding and leading the Math Club at FHC.  His teachers spoke very highly of him.  “Suchir Gupta is one of the finest young men I had the opportunity to teach.  He walks in with a zealous spirit every day”.  “He is one of my highest achievers from his freshman to senior year, and yet he does it with a humble attitude and intrinsic desire to learn”.   In his interview with the Committee, this well-spoken young man showed passion to return to West Michigan as a Software Developer and continue to empower students to drive Coders4Tomorrow in his ongoing efforts to minimize the wealth gap in Grand Rapids.

Hannah Feng:  Hannah believes that our nation’s future lies in education and hopes to make the most of her college years, not just for her benefit, but to give back to the West Michigan community where she intends to reside.  She attended Grand Rapids Christian High graduating with a 4.229 weighted GPA.  Hannah has endured adversity as a child of Asian immigrants and divorced parents but she became immersed in her studies with particular emphasis on Psychology leading her to a choice of becoming a Psychologist and attending The University of Michigan.  This articulate young lady expressed her feelings on the issues of mental health that affect everyone including Asians, in her words… “a very proud people-highly concerned with dignity who are reluctant to receive psychological treatment”.  Hannah’s AP Psychology teachers said, “As much as Hannah shines as a student, she shines even more as a person.  She is mature, confident without a trace of arrogance, and has a positive attitude every day”. Her AP Literature and Composition teacher wrote, “The word I would choose for Hannah would be effervescent.  Hannah is everything a teacher hopes for in a student: she is curious, enthusiastic and inclusive”. Hannahs extracurricular activities include varsity tennis as captain junior and senior years, volunteering at the Other Way Ministries as a youth mentor, Keystone Church, leading a middle school program, and Hospice volunteering.  She is a member of Rotary Interact Club as Vice President as well as Food Club, a cooking and service club she started at school.  Her work experience includes tennis instructor,  Chick-fil-a employee, and a member of a symphonic orchestra.

Carly Zondervan: Graduated from Caledonia High School with a 4.0 GPA in addition to taking 15 AP classes, Carly is a determined young woman with character, poise, and passion with a giving and serving spirit. In Carly’s interview with the committee, she described herself as a hard worker, perfectionist, and leader.  These traits are apparent from the long list of accomplishments, service and mentoring captured in her essay.  Carly was a 3 year member of the Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society and a mentor for a group called “A More Beautiful You” who strives to build confidence, compassion and teamwork among middle school girls.  Since she was 10 years old, she has also been involved with Woman’s Life Fraternity that focuses on helping local people in need.  She served as a children’s ministry leader at Ada Bible Church for 6 years and remains involved with the Kids Food Basket and other local service organizations.  In high school, Carly played golf, tennis, and was captain of the volleyball team for two years.  She nannies in the summer and works at Bigby Coffee as well.  Her English teacher writes, “ Carly’s most notable quality is her spirit of selflessness.  Her passion for service was never clearer to me than in her class-assigned speech about caring for her brother with autism”.  It is no surprise that Carly has chosen a career goal of becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and plans to attend Hope College. She pledges to continue bringing a positive impact to West Michigan