Thomas Phillips settles in at Grand Valley



My first couple of months at Grand Valley have been excellent! I love living on the west side of the state; it’s been awesome to see the colors change recently. At the moment, I am a statistics and Spanish double major with a math minor, still looking to become an actuary in my future.

My classes have been very rewarding so far, and I have especially enjoyed my Spanish class. It has been exciting to strengthen my Spanish speaking and writing skills through conversations in class and writing essays; my future plans for Spanish involve studying abroad in Seville, Spain, in winter 2026. Outside of classes, I have been involved with both beach volleyball and an indoor volleyball intramural league. I am also deeply connected to Grand Valley’s Campus Ministry program.

Parker Newell updates Sandbox Foundation

Brianna Steffen receives an Inspiration Scholarship, during LCN’s Honors Convocation

L’anse Creuse North held their annual Honors Convocation on Wednesday, May 22nd. Senior, Brianna Steffan was awarded one of two (LCN) Inspiration Scholarships by the Sandbox Foundation. Brianna was an “experienced recipient” that night, by the time it was Rock’s turn to take the podium. The challenges of her life story and accomplishments are a combination rarely seen together in a single person. Clearly an Inspiration to everyone else, Brianna could not be a more gracious recipient.

A Very Special Me“, according to her mother, Brianna has plans to study Elementary School Teaching at Saginaw Valley State University in the fall.

A second (LCN) Inspiration Scholarship is awarded to Mercedes Nawrocki. Mercedes inspiration comes from her mother’s relentless work to survive the challenges of being a single parent, raising a family. Mercedes has plans to run track at Ohio Christian University next fall. She will be studying Criminal Justice at O.C.U. Unfortunately, Mercedes was unable to attend the LCN Honors Convocation held in the John R. Armstrong Performing Arts Center.

Rock’s presentation at LCN included a brief summary of the Sandbox Foundation, his parents lives and his mother’s (Barbara Faye) story of attending local colleges part-time from his age of six, until her fifty-seventh birthday. It was three days before Barbara Faye’s 57th birthday, when she could finally display her Bachelors degree earned from Rochester Christian College. And certainly, no story from Rock is complete without mentioning is wife Cheryl, whom he met in the halls of LCN, a distraction Rock claimed prevented him from earning any scholarships himself.

Thomas Phillips is surprised, when awarded the 2024 Wayne Scholarship

2024 graduate Thomas Phillips received the Sandbox Foundation’s Wayne Scholarship at Lutheran High North’s honors night, held Monday, May 20th. Within his application and essay, Thomas Phillips described his passion for learning, while including a long list of work and service to others. Thomas anticipates a career as an Actuary, as a method to fulfill his love for working with numbers. Thomas received several other awards during the LHN Honors night.

The Sandbox Foundation’s Wayne Scholarship recognizes applicants with a long history of work and service, while also being inspired to use Judea/Christian Principles to guide their path.

Barbara Faye Scholarship Awarded to Luke Bernthal in 2024

Luke’s plans include registering at either Michigan State University or Oakland University in the fall.  His career choice is focusing on Accounting or Finance.

Foundation advisor Paster Jeff Draeger of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church joined Rock at LHNW for senior honors night to present Luke his scholarship in person.  Ceremonies were held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

Foundation is Inspired by Riley McComb’s Success

Dominic DeLaura Scores 2024 Family Scholarship

Dominic DeLaura is the 2024 recipient of the Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship. Dominic will be attending Saginaw Valley State University in the fall, after graduating Romeo High School. Dominic plans to study business and will be joining the SVSU Golf team.

One “Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship” has been awarded annually for more than twenty-five-years to a RHS student who demonstrates a strong work ethic and plan to continue their studies after high school. Recipients of the Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship qualify to apply annually for a Sandbox Foundation Continuing Scholarship.

Anne May receives 2024 Continuing Scholarship

Advisors of the Sandbox Foundation proudly award Anne May the second 2024 Continuing Scholarship Grant. The foundation awards several Continuing Scholarships each year to returning college students who previously received a Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship or a Sandbox Foundation scholarship.

In 2023, Anne graduated high school from Lutheran High North located in Macomb, Michigan. Anne attends Oakland University, while also running Cross-Country and Track for Oakland.  Below, Anne describes his first year at Michigan.

My first year at Oakland University has been amazing! I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I have enjoyed my classes so far and I am excited to dive deeper into mechanical engineering classes in the next few semesters. Along with my studies, I am a member of the Oakland University Cross Country and Track team! The team has given me the opportunity to travel, develop many new friendships, have a different college experience, and volunteer with my team at the Meadowbrook Mansion and for a Women and Girls in Sports Day event. I want to thank the Sandbox Foundation and everyone involved for choosing me to receive this continuing scholarship!

Parker Newell receives Continuing Scholarship

Sandbox Foundation accepting 2024 applications

2024 Applications Being Accepted

The Sandbox Foundation is now accepting applications for 2024 Scholarships.  The cut -off date for submitting an application is March 1st. Applicants are required to complete a “Common Application Form” and must submit a short essay describing:

1) What inspires them,

2) How they would apply Judea/Christian principles in their education or career, and

3) The value of Work and/or Service.

The student’s high school transcript should be attached to the application form and submitted through their counseling office or via email to Awards@SandboxFoundation.org. While the high school transcript is not a requirement, it is highly recommended by most advisors.

Applications are accepted from all high schools, with preference given to graduates in Macomb County.  The common application form can be found at: http://sandboxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Sandbox-Foundation-Schoarship-Application.pdf

Email all applications and submission papers to Awards@SandboxFoundation.org