The Mike Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Honoring a Legacy and Empowering Students
The Mike Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to Crown Point High School seniors in memory of Mike Brown Jr. These scholarships are granted via the Crown Point Community Foundation on behalf of the MBJr Memorial Fund. This article delves into the details of this scholarship, its criteria, and its impact on the community.
A Tribute to Michael I. Brown
Michael I. Brown died on the morning of February 2, 2010, when a public transit bus collided with his car. He was 21. He was on his way to class at Suffolk County Community College. Michael was a beloved member of the community because of his friendly personality and kind and warm spirit. He was also an inspiration to many because he never allowed his disability of Cerebral Palsy to defeat him or deter him from accomplishing his dreams, such as attending college. The Mike Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship was established to honor his memory and support students in achieving their educational goals.
Scholarship Award Announcements: A History
The winners of the Mike Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship awards have been announced annually at various locations:
- 2003: July 22 at Pheasant Valley Clubhouse. Crown Point Star.
- 2004: July 18 at Pheasant Valley Clubhouse. Melissa Kiefer - St.
- 2005: July 17 at Pheasant Valley Clubhouse. the Mike Brown, Jr.
- 2006: July 16 at Pheasant Valley Clubhouse. Philip Katz - Washington University - St.
- 2007: July 15 at Pheasant Valley Clubhouse. Bryanna Firchau. Michelle Kiefer.
- 2008: July 20 at the Pheasant Valley Clubhouse. Front Row (L-R): Kara Ingelhart, Kathryn Kukla, Marissa Williams, Rachel Smith. David Lubway, Eric Kϋtemeier, Derrick Garletts, James Page, Matthew WiessBradley, Kevin Schwartz.
- 2009: July 19 at the WhiteHawk Country Club.
- 2010: July 18 at the WhiteHawk Country Club.
- 2011: July 17 at the WhiteHawk Country Club.
- 2012: July 15 at Pheasant Valley Country Club.
- 2014: July 20 at Pheasant Valley Country Club. Posing for a photo with Mike & Kim Brown are 2014 scholarship winners (L-R) Katherina Cacovski, Hannah Maxwell, Kara Breuckman, Rory Packard and Alex Kutemeier.
- 2015: July 19 at Pheasant Valley Country Club.
- 2016: July 17 at Pheasant Valley Country Club.
- 2017: July 15 at Pheasant Valley Country Club.
- 2018: July 21, 2018 at Pheasant Valley Country Club.
- 2019: July 20, 2019 at River Pointe Country Club.
- 2020: July 18, 2020 at River Pointe Country Club.
- 2021: July 17, 2021 at River Pointe Country Club.
- 2022: July 16, 2022 at River Pointe Country Club.
- 2023: July 15, 2023 at River Pointe Country Club.
- 2024: July 20, 2024, at River Pointe Country Club.
Eligibility Criteria
The Mike Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship seeks to support deserving students who meet specific criteria. While the exact criteria may vary slightly from year to year, some common requirements include:
- Crown Point High School graduating student
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (in some cases, a minimum GPA of 2.5 may be considered)
- Participation in school-related or recreational sports
Other Scholarship Opportunities via Crown Point Community Foundation
The Crown Point Community Foundation offers a variety of scholarships with different criteria, reflecting the diverse needs and interests of the community. Some examples include:
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- Alfred J. Scholarship: Crown Point High School graduating student; excels in Social Studies.
- Bryan C. Scholarship: Graduating High School senior from Lake County, IN; minimum 2.5 GPA; Crown Point Swim Club member or alumni with verified participation in at least 12 seasons (6 years); majoring in Business, Science or Engineering at any accredited college or university.
- Celia C. Col. Scholarship: Crown Point High School graduating senior; minimum 3.0 GPA; attended Wheeler Middle school all 3 years.
- Dr. John D. L. Scholarship: Crown Point High School graduating senior; 30.
- Mike Brown Jr. Scholarship: Crown Point High School graduating students.
- Ralph E. Scholarship: graduating student in Lake, Porter, Jasper, or Newton County; minimum 3.0 GPA; played at least 4 years in Cedar Lake Girls Softball League and/or Riptide Travel Ball; attending any accredited college, university, or trade school.
- St. Scholarship: graduating high school student; graduate of St.
- Timothy J. Scholarship: Crown Point High School graduating student; minimum 3.0 GPA; majoring in natural sciences or humanities (no theology).
- Walter J. Scholarship: Crown Point High School graduating student; attended Timothy Ball Elementary School 1st-5th grades.
- William G. and Phyllis M. Scholarship: Crown Point High School graduating student; minimum 3.0 GPA; pursuing education in the fields of Business or Medical; attending an Indiana State sponsored college or university.
- Graduating High School or College students; minimum 3.0 GPA, Lake or Porter County resident with Italian descent.
- Graduating High School senior from Lake, Porter, Jasper or Newton County; minimum 3.0 GPA; attending an Indiana State sponsored college, university or technical school; family income between $80,000 and $150,000.
- Crown Point High School graduating senior or Crown Point resident; minimum 2.5 GPA.
Fundraising Efforts
The initial fundraising event was a community Fish & Chicken Fry where all donated proceeds provided 2 annual scholarships of $500 each. This year’s theme is a 5K Walk/Run. There will also be a concession stand serving delicious foods prepared By Dia Wilson.
Nedbank Group's Mike Brown Scholarship (South Africa)
It's important to note that there's another scholarship named "Mike Brown Scholarship" offered by Nedbank Group, focusing on funding postgraduate studies in South Africa. While distinct from the Mike Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship, it shares the goal of supporting students in their educational pursuits.
DescriptionNedbank Group offers the Mike Brown Scholarship for the 2025 academic year, focusing on funding postgraduate studies in critical fields facing skilled professional shortages in South Africa. The scholarship supports students in various domains such as Advanced Manufacturing, Agricultural Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, Environmental Science, Finance, Healthcare, ICT, and Public Policy. Benefits include coverage of tuition fees, learning materials, accommodation, and a monthly stipend for living costs. Furthermore, recipients gain opportunities for international study, mentorship, and essential psychosocial support from industry leaders. Eligibility criteria mandate South African citizenship, a minimum average of 65% for a completed Bachelor’s degree, admission to a relevant postgraduate program at a recognized institution, and a commitment to contributing to South Africa’s growth, especially in underserved communities. Preference is given to candidates from historically marginalized groups to enhance diversity and inclusion. Interested candidates should complete the application form and submit it along with required documents via their university bursary office by 15 February 2025.
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