Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

For good. For ever.

306 South University Avenue Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858 United States

(989) 773-7322

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

Watson Family Scholarship Fund

Watson Family with grandkids

After 29 years as a secretary in Isabella County schools, Elayne Watson believes strongly in the importance of education. She watched hundreds of local students grow up from kindergarteners to sixth graders while she served at Mary McGuire Elementary School and describes them all as unforgettable. The profound impact these children had on Elayne, along with the love of her family and her commitment to giving back to the community, is what inspired her to create the Watson Family Scholarship. Elayne hopes to encourage local students to continue with their education after high school and wants to leave a positive impact on future generations.

In addition to supporting her community, this scholarship fund is also an opportunity for Elayne to honor her large and loving family. She has five children, fourteen grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren!

Students applying for this scholarship must be planning a career in education, medicine, or a skilled trade. Elayne decided on these career paths because they are the professions of her children. Her two sons, Jay and Guy, work as tradesmen; Doris is a nurse practitioner; Jan is a teacher and Rita also works in a public school. This scholarship will honor the Watson family’s contributions to Isabella County for years to come.

Elayne has served her community in a variety of ways, from volunteering at the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, helping at McLaren Central Michigan, and making time to visit those in assisted living. She has dedicated her life to education, family, community, and volunteering. Elayne continuously uses her generosity to make Isabella County a better place.

Scholarship Criteria:

  • Student shall be a high school senior graduating from an Isabella County high school;

  • Student shall demonstrate academic ability with a grade point average 2.5 – 3.5;

  • Student shall be planning to enroll at an accredited college, university or trade school;

  • Student shall be planning to pursue a career in the fields of education, medicine, or skilled trades, and must describe these plans in a written essay.

Preferences:

In selecting the most qualified applicant to receive the scholarship, reviewers should give preference to the following, listed in priority order.

  • Student has demonstrated financial need, as expressed in the applicant’s written essay.

  • Student has held a paying job during their high school years, as described in the applicant’s written essay.