2026 “Continuing Scholarships” are announced by the Sandbox Foundation

The Sandbox Foundation is proud to announce the 2026 recipients of Continuing Scholarships.  Continuing Scholarships are 2nd, 3rd or 4th year grants to college students who previously received first-year scholarships from the Sandbox Foundation.  In addition, any student who received a Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship may apply as well.

For 2026, foundation advisors elected to award three Continuing Scholarships.  They have been awarded to the following college students:

Hannah Bernthal, studying to become a Marine Biologist at the University of West Florida.

Jack May, studying Criminal Justice in the Army ROTC program at Michigan State University.

Thomas Phillips, studying to become an Actuary at Grand Valley State University.

Five more first-year scholarships will be announced in person during three different high school “Senior Honors/Award nights, during the month of May.

This is the eleventh year of the Sandbox Foundation, whereby fifty-two (52) different high school students have been awarded first-year scholarships, in one of three categories.  Annually, the foundation awards Inspiration, Barbara Faye and Wayne scholarships to first-year college students.

At least one Continuing Scholarship is awarded each year, now totaling twenty-five (25) being awarded in these past eleven years.

The Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship annual process celebrates its thirtieth anniversary in 2026, preexisting the Sandbox Foundation.

Grant Newell sends Michigan greetings to the Sandbox Foundation

Grant Newell received a 2025 Sandbox Foundation Inspiration Scholarship. He sent the foundation greetings from the “Big House” at Michigan.

“This is Grant Newell, I received the Sandbox Foundation Inspiration Scholarship and I wanted to share a couple photos from my year so far! I’ve had a lot of fun meeting new people and learning new things in the school of nursing. Thank you so much for making this possible.”

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Hannah gives the Sandbox Foundation a different perspective

Hannah Bernthal sent the Sandbox Foundation this great photo of herself and the following update.

“I wanted to share an update on how my first semester at the University of West Florida went!

Overall, it was a great experience filled with many new opportunities and many new people. I joined the scuba club at UWF and have been able to dive in several freshwater springs in the area. I’m planning to continue diving this semester and am hoping to get the chance to dive in the ocean as well.

I’ve also joined a local Lutheran church, where I’ve met many kind people, including a fellow student from UWF. My roommate and I get along very well. I’ve visited her church a few times, and her family often has me over for dinner. Together, we’ve also joined an on-campus Bible study, where we’ve been studying Philippians.

My first semester was both fun and meaningful, and I’m really looking forward to the second semester. I hope to continue getting more involved on campus and in the surrounding community!

Thank you again for your generosity and support through this scholarship, it really means so much to me.”

“Jack May” provides an extensive update to the Sandbox Foundation.


“Please see the attached application for a 2026 Continuing Scholarship. Thank you for the scholarship last year. It has helped me with my studies this year at Michigan State University“

“As a member of the Army ROTC at Michigan State University, … Not only am I learning to defend my country, but I am also learning to defend my faith in Jesus.  As a member of the ROTC, I attend 6am physical training and go to military science labs and classes.  Just as my classes help me learn to serve the United States, I am learning to defend and serve my maker and redeemer, Jesus.”

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Sandbox Foundation announces three “Continuing Scholarships” for 2025.

Sandbox Foundation advisors are pleased to announce the following three “Continuing Scholarship” recipients for 2025.  They are:

Parker Newel, Mechanical Engineer, University of Michigan (International Academy Okma)

Parker Westfall, Senior Financial Analyst, Grand Valley State University (Armada)

Sean Sellars, Pediatrician, Oakland University (Romeo High School).

Each of this year’s recipients previously received a Sandbox Foundation scholarship and reapplied in early 2025 for a Continuing Scholarship.  The foundation received an unusually high number of applications in 2025, from students graduating from seven different local high schools.  The applications received were nearly double the average received in prior years.

The Sandbox Foundation was established in 2015 with the objective of granting three first year scholarships annually, beginning in 2016.  In addition, one Continuing Scholarship would be awarded to a college student entering their second, third or fourth year of study.

For 2025, the foundation is expanding grants to six first year scholarships and three Continuing.  First year scholarships titled: Inspiration, Barbara Faye and Wayne will be awarded during local high school honors nights (often held in May).

For now, we congratulate our three Continuing Scholarship winners for 2025.

Apply now for College Scholarships

Students should apply now for College Scholarships

Now is the time for High School Seniors to apply for College Scholarships. Applications for any of the Sandbox Foundation Scholarships can be downloaded by Clicking Here, or from the foundation’s application page on the web site at: https://sandboxfoundation.org/index.php/applications/

Students may submit applications between January 1st and March 1st of each year.

Roughly thirty to forty applications are sent to the Sandbox Foundation.  The foundation’s charter promises to grant four scholarships each year, while it typically awards six or more.  Historically, the smallest grant has been a first year award of $2500.

The Sandbox Foundation is unique in that it reserves at least one grant each year for a “Continuing Scholarship”, to be given as a 2nd, 3rd or 4th year college student, who is a past recipient of the foundation (or has received a Kuchenmeister Family 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

Romeo HS Grads take home two Scholarships

Two Romeo High School 2023 graduates were awarded scholarships by Rock and Cheryl at the RHS Honors night, held May 15th. Olivia Encisco received the first publicly announced Sandbox Foundation Scholarship for 2023 HS graduates. Olivia is receiving one of two Wayne Scholarships to be awarded this year. She is headed to New York, NY to study Music Theater next fall.

Andrea Esqueda received this year’s Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship. Andrea is headed to Wayne State to begin her college studies this fall. By receiving the Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship, Andrea has qualified to reapply in January for a Sandbox Continuing Scholarship. Three Continuing Scholarships were awarded to returning collage students for 2023 earlier in May.

Foundation Announces 2020 Scholarship Grants

Sandbox Foundation advisors proudly announce 2020 Scholarship recipients.

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2020-1 Inspiration Scholarship: Brooke Bennett

2020-2 Inspiration Scholarship: Lillian Schneider

2020 Barbara Faye Scholarship: Gavin Kirsh

2020 Wayne Scholarship: Dominic Giancarli

These high school seniors have earned scholarships to assist in first year college or trade school expenses.  Scholarship/Grants are normally announced during HS Honors Night ceremonies.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 pandemic Stay-at-Home orders have cancelled ceremonies for all of these recipients.  The foundation notified all of this year’s winners by email on May 9, 2020.

 

Continuing Scholarships for 2020 are being awarded to:

Natalie Mladenovik and Parker Brown

Continuing Scholarship recipients typically join foundation advisors at the Wine and Cheese fundraiser, held annually on the Friday before Mother’s Day.  Unfortunately, this year’s event has been postponed due to COVID-19 Stay-at-Home orders as well.  Foundation advisors anticipate rescheduling the event later this year.