Spartan: Austen Malczewski’s 3rd Semester Update

My third semester of college has been an awesome learning experience, college sure seems to be going quick. Now that I have been accepted into the Business college, I am going to pursue an accounting major with an Information Technology minor. With the majority of my classes business focus, It has provided me with a much more interesting curriculum already. I have also been taking advantage of all the organizations on campus, for example, the MSU finance association and the Accounting Student Association (ASA).Austin at State
The biggest difference between this year and last year has been all the extra curricular activities I have taken up in my free time. With such a big campus at MSU, I have had to find a way to make it a little smaller… once you start exploring there’s so many ways to condense campus. For the Honors College at MSU I joined a book club where I read books of my choosing with a group of other Honors students on Tuesday nights, this has allowed me to learn a ton about good books and also allowed me to meet some really good people.
Lately, most of my time has been directed towards research on a possible invention I have. Just this last month I started an LLC for this new company and I ordered a Provisional Patent on my Idea. The best part of this idea is that I found an organization on campus that Is funded by Alumni, who have agreed to help pay for my legal fees, patents, and other costs I may incur building Prototypes and what not, without a catch or giving up any equity in the company. I entered a competition (Burgess New Venture Challenge) put on for MSU students with my idea and If I place top 5 I could be granted potential funding, I will keep you posted on this.
I have also made great strides in wrestling, I was awarded my varsity letter-man jacket at the beginning of the semester, which was a super cool experience. I have also taken 3rd place at the MSU open tournament, and Ohio Intercollegiate open tournament with a record of (9-2) over the last two weekends.
I want to thank you for the continued scholarship this year, It has helped me out tremendously. As a student who is responsible for paying for his own college experience, I constantly remind myself how fortunate I am to receive this Sandbox Foundation Scholarship.

Graduates: Invest in Yourself

This holiday season is a great time for High School Graduates to Invest in Themselves.  The Sandbox Foundation will accept applications for its fourth year of grants shortly after Christmas.  Graduating High School Seniors can download a two page standardized form by going to the the foundation’s Application Page and clicking the download link.  Or, just click here!

Gift of Scholarship

Applicants are required to complete the two page standardized form and to include a one/two page submission paper addressing all of the following three topics.

1. Describe what inspires you.
2. How would you apply Judea/Christian principles in your education or career?
3. Describe the value of work and/or service.

The submission paper can be written as an essay or a letter to the foundation’s advisors.  Completed applications should be submitted as PDF documents by email to: Awards@SandboxFoundation.org.  In addition, Romeo High School seniors can pickup and submit applications in their school’s counseling office.

The Sandbox Foundation accepts Scholarship Applications between January 1st and March 1st annually.  Created in late 2015, the Sandbox Foundation started with a goal of granting three partial year scholarships to graduating High School Seniors and a (fourth) Continuing Scholarship to prior recipients (including the most recent five of the Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship).  Through local intimate fundraisers, the foundation has exceeded its original goals every year and now sets its sights on “doubling the original goals” in the near future.

Noah Schultz accept the Wayne Scholarship

De LaSalle graduate Noah Schultz, fresh off his Prom Date last Friday night, accepts his Wayne Scholarship from the Sandbox Foundation.  Noah is headed to Western Michigan next fall to study Mechanical Engineering.  In Noah’s own words, “It seems pointless to do a task if you do not value the work you are accomplishing.”  Congratulations Noah.

Foundation advisor Cheryl Kuchenmeister presents Noah his Certificate for the Wayne Scholarship.
Foundation advisor Cheryl Kuchenmeister presents Noah his Certificate for the Wayne Scholarship.

RHS Honors Night 2018

Rock enlightens the RHS Class of 2018 with the secret of their success.  Perhaps its not found in what they did the past four years, but rather what they will do tomorrow.

Rock enlightens RHS Class of 2018

Natali Mladenovik receives the Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship, covertly hiding from our camera.  Whatever she’s done.  Whatever she’s about to do.  Natalie, the Kuchenmeister Family is placing a bet on you.

Natalie Mladenovik receives her awarrd.

Naturally, the “Inspired Chef” Gillian Giancarli receives the foundation’s “Inspiration Scholarship”.  Gillian and Rock share a passion for food.  Gillian likes to cook it.  Rock likes to eat it.

Gillian Giancarli, the "Inspired Chef"

David Cardamone was “destined” to receive a Sandbox Foundation Award.  This year, David takes home the Barbara Faye Scholarship.

David Cardimone, recipient of the Barbara Faye Award 2018

Sandbox Foundation Holds it Third Annual Fundraiser

The Sandbox Foundation held its Third Annual Spring Fundraiser as a Wine & Charcuterie party.  Guests were asked to bring two bottles of wine to the event.  One bottle was opened and served, while the other was sold in a silent auction.  Record contributions were received, helping the foundation to fund six scholarship awards for 2018.

Three Continuing Scholarships were announced, with all of the recipients on hand to receive their awards.  Winners of the 2018 Continuing Scholarships are: Jared Newton, Austen Malczewski and Adam Walters.

Jared , Austen and Adam are proud recipients of the 2018 Sandbox Foundation Continuing Scholarships.
Jared , Austen and Adam are proud recipients of the 2018 Sandbox Foundation Continuing Scholarships.

 

The 2018 Wayne Scholarship recipient was announced as: Noah Schultz, a graduate of De La Salle, who is headed to Western Michigan.  Noah could not be present due to a (prom) date with a girl.  Good choice Noah.  We’ll be certain to catch up with you later.

The Barbara Faye and Inspirations Scholarships will be announced durint the RHS Honors night, scheduled to be held Monday, May 21st.

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Austen Malczewski checks in from MSU

Austen Maczewski was one of two recipients of the Wayne Scholarship in 2017.   He sent us the following message after his first few weeks of college at MSU.

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Michigan state is providing me with an amazing experience already. I have been in classes from 25 people to 300 people, I have also been from North campus to South campus (miles apart), I am learning to adapt either way! College has been completely different from high school; change in diversity, crazy amounts of freedom, and the amount of studying required. I am slowly but surely learning the ropes here at Michigan State University, thanks to The Sandbox Foundation scholarship I am able to completely focus on academics this first semester instead of having to work long hours at a minimum wage paying job. Not sure if I told you I was wrestling at Michigan State or not but that has also provided me some cool opportunities as well, such as being on the field for the first home football game of the year. Because of your generosity I have had the opportunity to Walk on to the wrestling team here at MSU. Thanks again it will be forever appreciated!

Click here to read Austen’s profile in MSU’s “Meet the Spartans”

 

 

Adam Walters checks-in with the foundation

Adam Walters @ CMU

Adam Walters checked-in with the Sandbox Foundation, on his way to success at Central Michigan University.  Here’s a message received by the foundation from Adam.

Through the end of the school year all of the craziness of senior year became very real. Signing up for graduation, Prom and various other things all came quick. Though there was a lot to do I set my priorities straight and got everything done that needed to be. This summer I plan on working at Decour Statuette making concrete for builders and home owners.  I also look to spend my weekends on a beach in Caseville.  After seeing the campus more I plan on doing the
Pre-PA program that CMU offers.

RHS Honors Night 2017

The annual 2017 Romeo High School Honors Night was held May 22, 2017.  Rock was on hand to present three scholarships to well deserving students.  The first scholarship was awarded to Jacob Mullin, who is headed to Western Michigan University (studying Aviation Flight Service).  Jacob was awarded the Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship.

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The second award went to Austin Malczewski, who received the Wayne Scholarship.  Based on applications received, the foundation chose to grant this second Wayne Scholarship of 2017.  Austin is headed to Michigan State to study Finance.

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The third award was delivered to Kayley Lorts,  Kayley is also headed to Michigan State and will study Nursing.   Kayley received the Barbara Faye Scholarship in honor of Rock’s mother, a long-time advocate for continuous learning, through education.

And finally, all three recipients were reminded that earning these awards automatically makes them eligible for next year’s “Continuing Scholarship“.  Any recipient of a Kuchenmeister Family Scholarship or a Sandbox Foundation Scholarship is eligible to apply for Continuing Scholarships via email each January.  Continuing Scholarships help offset tuition costs in subsequent years of study.

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2017 Wine and Cheese Gathering

The Sandbox Foundation held its second annual fundraiser on Friday, May 12th.  The event was a “Wine and Cheese Gathering”, with guests donating two bottles of wine.  The first bottle was uncorked and served.  The second bottle was sold at silent auction.

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Scholarship recipient Jared Newton (graduating from Dakota HS) was on hand to receive the 2017 Inspiration Scholarship, with his mother Anna.  Scholarship recipient Adam Walters (graduating from Utica HS) was also on hand to receive a 2017 Wayne Scholarship, with his parents Karen and Dave.

Foundation advisors were able to expand grants for 2017 to six, with the final two to be Announced and Awarded during the Romeo HS Honors night, scheduled for May 22nd.

Foundation Awards 2nd Continuing Scholarship for 2017

Adam Frost (Apr 2017)

Now in its second year, the foundation raises the bar by awarding a second “Continuing Scholarship” in 2017 to Adam Frost.  Adam was the first recipient of the Wayne Scholarship during the inaugural year of the foundation.  The following message was received from Adam by the advisors.

“I am finishing up my freshman year at Grand Valley State University and loving the college experience and the amazing resources that are available.  In the fall I will begin working towards my business degree at the Seidman College of Business at GVSU.   Receiving the Continuing Scholarship from the Sandbox Foundation means so much since it is helping me to continue on this path.  Thank you for this opportunity! “