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.

Through all these opportunities outside of classes, it has been awesome to meet new people who share these same beliefs and interests as me. I am thankful that I have met so many people so quickly and started to develop strong relationships. This entire experience that I’ve had so far is not possible without the support I have received from the Sandbox Foundation. Thank you so much for providing me with this scholarship, allowing me to accomplish all of this!

Parker Newell updates Sandbox Foundation

I would like to thank the Sandbox Foundation for supporting me through my college journey with a Continuing Scholarship.

This summer I was able to participate in an Internship for the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department’s Marine Hydrodynamics Lab. This coming year I will be working as a Resident Advisor in Bursley Hall.  I moved into my residence at the University of Michigan on August 7th.  Thank you again for all your generosity and support.

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 Bernthal becomes the first Lutheran High Northwest (LHNW) recipient of a Sandbox Foundation scholarship.  Luke is receiving the 2024 Barbara Faye Scholarship focused on Judea/Christian principles, along with his inspiration and hard work.  Luke comes from a small graduating class filled with plenty of scholars.

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

Riley McComb received an Inspiration Scholarship from the Sandbox Foundation during the RHS Honors night. Romeo High School held their annual Seniors Honors night on Monday, May 13th. Principal Bernie Osebold opened the ceremonies by announcing the class of 2024 had set a new record by receiving a whopping 186 local scholarships.

Sandbox Foundation advisors Rock and Marie were on hand to meet Riley McComb after the ceremony. Riley is headed to the University of Michigan to study becoming a Historian. Riley is a “top ten” graduate of RHS and received several scholarships on Monday night. Certainly foundation advisors picked another good one, in selecting Riley McComb for a 2024 Inspiration 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

The Sandbox Foundation is proud to announce Parker Newell will receive one of two Continuing Scholarship Grants, awarded for 2024. Continuing Scholarships are awarded to college students who previously received a Sandbox Foundation or Kuchenmeister scholarship.

Parker graduated high school from the International Academy Okma in 2023. He now attends the University of Michigan. The International Academy was recently ranked #8 of all high schools by U.S. News and World Reports. Below, Parker describes his first year at Michigan.

“Hello Mr. and Mrs. Kuchenmeister and the Sandbox Foundation team, 

During my first year at the University of Michigan I have made important progress along my educational pathway. I have decided to major in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. I have been involved in several organizations on campus including the Concrete Canoe engineering project team which scored second place in the regional competition. I have been extremely grateful for the support of my family and my church community back home during this first year of my college career. I would like to express my deepest thanks for the generosity of    the Kuchenmeister family and the sandbox foundation for the first scholarship I received in the fall and now again for the continuing scholarship I have received for the coming year. 

Cullen Detrick earns a Barbara Faye Scholarship

L’anse Creuse North 2023 graduate Cullen Detrick was awarded a Barbara Faye scholarship from the Sandbox Foundation on Wednesday, May 24th. Cullen is headed to Grand Valley to study mathematics. Cullen’s well rounded essay touched deeply on Work, Service and Inspiration. But it was Cullen’s testament to the ethics he would live by that caught the attention of foundation advisors. Cheryl and Rock went “home again” to present Cullen his scholarship in person.

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.