Scholarship Donors

The Daniel Bachman Scholarship was initiated in 2007 and first awarded in 2008 following the retirement of Superintendent Bachman. Mr. Bachman worked in the field of education for 38 years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in 2 districts. He served as the superintendent of McBain Public Schools from 1996 – 2007. He is a Colorado high school graduate, and post-secondary schools include Bob Jones University, Eastern Michigan University, and Western Michigan University.

The scholarship was established with a $100,000 gift from Mr. Duane Elenbaas in recognition of the inspiration and many hours contributed from Mr. Bachman toward the legal approval of the 501(c)(3) foundation making tax-deductible donations possible. Mr. Elenbaas and Mr. Bachman were of one spirit in wishing the scholarship to be made available to a wide range of students, including those in vocational trades and those who faced life challenges as “at risk” students.  The scholarship is designed for only those who have a genuine financial need. Mr. Elenbaas and Mr. Bachman agreed that recipients should be students having exemplary character qualities and moral standards. Illustrations of these qualities include honesty, integrity, good work ethic, selflessness, respect for others and a positive mental attitude. The recipients should have the reputation of academic performance at the highest possible level for their personal giftedness. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity.

This scholarship was established in 2021 and is funded by Roger Bazuin & Sons. Roger and his wife Mae have both been lifelong residents of the McBain area and supporters of the McBain school system. Their 2 sons, Bob and Jerry both graduated from McBain High School. This scholarship is designated for those students interested in furthering their education in Diesel/Hydraulics Technology, Engine & Machine Maintenance/Repair, or Engine Mechanic/Welding skill trades, Forestry or other related curriculum. This scholarship is offered to students who are entering a certificate program, trade school, or college in any of these areas.

This scholarship was established in 2023 by the Bell Family in honor and memory of Betty Bell, lifelong resident of McBain and MHS graduate Class of 1968. Betty dedicated over 30 years to McBain Schools as part of the custodial staff.  She was a proud supporter of this school and community. She was passionate about the importance of an education and exemplified hard work, pride and dedication to serving others. In addition to her work at the school, Betty also worked as a local cosmologist, taking care of clients in her home salon and she was a housekeeper taking care of the local McBain Motel. She had a saying “don’t wait for someone else to do for you when you can just do it yourself”. After retirement, she assisted Matt & Daniella in caring for their daughter Michayla, a MHS graduate class of 2022. Betty enjoyed going to every sporting event and band/choir concert the school hosted. Upon her passing, Betty put in writing her desire to support education. Therefore, this first scholarship is created to assist a student who has exemplified a strong work ethic, has participated in community service and has a desire to continue serving others regardless of their field of study. 

The Robert M. Bouwma Memorial scholarship fund was established in 2011 by the Bouwma family to honor the memory of Robert Bouwma.  Bob graduated from Hope College and began a career as an industrial engineer. He returned to college to earn a teaching certificate in 1972 and taught in the McBain Public School system for 15 years. Bob’s focus was 6^th grade math as well as the school’s safety patrol program. Bob’s positive and friendly personality endeared him to students and facility. He retired to Florida in 1987 and spent summers in the Cadillac area. It is preferred that this scholarship be awarded to students with a career goal of teaching. If no qualified applicants plan to pursue a career in this field or if the selection committee feels there is a better student match for this scholarship, then the scholarship may be awarded to a qualifying student pursuing a career in a different field.

This fund, which was established in 2001, is one of the initial MRASF funds. Donald and Edith Darnell were both very active in the community and strong supporters of the McBain Public School. Edith was a teacher and Donald was involved in school administration. Donald also established a successful business that expanded throughout central Michigan. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity.

This fund, which was established in 2002, is one of the initial MRASF funds. Duane was born in Cadillac, moved to Lucas at a young age attending Lucas Elementary School through the 6^th grade and then attended McBain Public School graduating in 1950. After a tour in the Navy he graduated from Ferris State College with a BS in business. Duane owned a very successful business headquartered in Grand Rapids, which he ran for many years before retiring in the Cadillac area. Duane has a strong desire to help kids and has dedicated much of his time in his retirement years finding ways to help kids. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity.

Gary J. Elenbaas is honored to grant this scholarship which is funded in perpetuity and is open to all fields of study. Mr. Elenbaas began his education in a one-room school house in Lucas, Michigan. After four years in the one-room school house, he continued schooling in McBain, Michigan and eventually graduated from McBain High School in 1964. He then continued his education receiving a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University. He taught junior high school science for Cadillac Public Schools for 10 years. In 1980 he made a career change from education to residential building for the next 27 years. 

This scholarship is given in memory of his wife, Karen Elenbaas, who passed away in 2012.  Mrs. Elenbaas was an excellent student graduating valedictorian from Cadillac High School in 1966. She held Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Central Michigan University. She was a high school business teacher at Cadillac High School and retired after 32 years of service. 

This scholarship was established in 2022 and is funded by Craig and Ann Geers. Craig graduated in 1985 and is a proud third generation Rambler. Grandfather Ben Geers graduated in 1937, father Bernard Geers graduated in 1959 and brother Carl Geers graduated in 1983. The Geers family have been proud members of the McBain community since 1907, when Harm Geers arrived from Germany. Craig graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in business and would prefer the scholarship to be awarded to students in the field of business or education. If there are no qualified applicants in either of these fields, then at the discretion of the selection committee, the scholarship may be awarded to another student pursuing a career in a different field. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity.

This fund was established in 2010 in honor of the Rich & Til Herweyer family. Rich, a 1941 MHS graduate and school bus driver for 42 years and his wife, Til, were dairy farmers and strong supporters of the school. Their son, David, was a 1970 MHS graduate. He was also the past president of the MRAS Foundation. His passion was to help many young people towards achieving their educational goals beyond high school. This scholarship is to be awarded to a MHS graduate who is furthering his/her education in an agricultural/medical related curriculum.  Applicable courses of study may include but are not limited to:  Dairy Science, Animal Husbandry, Crop and Soil Science, Agricultural Business Management, Agriscience, Food Science, Horticulture, Agricultural Technology, Herbicide/Pesticide Technology, Forestry, Conservation, Fisheries/Wildlife and Natural Resources Management, and Veterinary Medicine, as well as, the Medical Field; cancer research, cardiac related studies/practice, pulmonary specialization, etc. If there are graduates applying for this scholarship, who are not pursuing a bona fide “agricultural/medical” course of study, or none apply, then the scholarship award will not be made that year. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity.

This fund was established in 2018. Jerry Hoekwater was raised on a dairy farm near McBain and graduated from McBain Public High School in 1965. He served in the Army, which included a Vietnam deployment. After his military service he attended Ferris State College before graduating from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering. Jerry worked in the engineering and construction industry for 34 years, first designing and later managing the design and construction of various projects throughout the United States as well as abroad before retiring in the Cadillac area. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity.

The Kathy McCauliff scholarship fund was established in 2019 by family and friends in honor of Kathy McCauliff. Kathy graduated from Central Michigan University with a teaching certificate in 1975 and received a Master’s Degree from Clarion State University in 1982. She taught special education students in Pennsylvania for 10 years and at McBain High School for over 30 years. The preference is that this scholarship be awarded to students attending college in the field of education. If no qualified applicants plan to pursue a career in these fields or if the selection committee feels there is a better student match for this scholarship, then the scholarship may be awarded to a qualifying student pursuing a career in a different field.

Bernard and Sandra Meyering are life-long supporters of the McBain School System. Bernard was a student there along with their three children and several grandchildren. As proud Rambler supporters, they still attend as many sports events as possible. Bernard worked for the McBain Schools as Head of Maintenance for 43 years and Sandra was a Reading Improvement Teacher for 34 years. They truly both have a deep love for the further education of students and the time they spent working with them. A scholarship was created in 2015 that honored the professions of their children: Construction, Nursing, Administration and Education. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity.

This fund was established in 2005. Donald Mys graduated from McBain High School in 1959. He had a 35-year career in education as a teacher, high school principal and district school administrator in the Dearborn school system. The preference is that this scholarship be awarded to students attending college in the field of education. If no qualified applicants plan to pursue a career in this field or if the selection committee feels there is a better student match for this scholarship, then the scholarship may be awarded to a qualifying student pursuing a career in a different field. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity.

This scholarship was established in 2022 by Jon and Jennifer Schierbeek in memory of their fathers, Randall J. Schierbeek and David L. Thompson. Jon and Jennifer are lifelong residents of the McBain area and are both graduates and proud supporters of the McBain School System. Jon graduated in 1993 and Jennifer in 1995. After high school Jon attended Ferris State University and graduated with a degree in Heavy Equipment Technology. Their three children attend/graduated from McBain Schools as well. Together, in 2015, Jon and Jennifer started the Northern Truck Service business in the city of McBain.

This scholarship fund was established in 2016 by Todd Seelye. Mr. Seelye is a 1986 graduate of McBain Public Schools. This fund was established to further the education of a student studying in the following areas: Construction Trades, Landscape Design, Commercial Building Design, Carpentry, Metals Technology/Welding, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Engineering, Mechanical Drafting, Construction Project Management, Building Design, Construction Materials Selection/Management, Building/Construction Architecture, Surveying, or other Related Field.

This scholarship fund was established in 2014 by an anonymous McBain alumnus in honor of Peter J VanderPol. Mr. VanderPol was a teacher for several years and later superintendent who guided the McBain School system through consolidations for an additional 27 years into the district it is today. Mr. VanderPol retired in 1972. This scholarship is awarded to the recipient of the Peter J VanderPol Award which was established in 1976 and is the most prestigious award provided to a graduating senior each year. This scholarship may be awarded in addition to another MRASF scholarship. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity.

This scholarship was established in 2023 and is funded in perpetuity in honor and memory of Nancy Vander Woude. Nancy and Carl are both graduates of MRAS High School, class of 1953. Carl has completed two careers. First in the U. S. Navy, retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer and, second with Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. He retired after 20 years there having served as Provost, University College at Northwood. As these careers moved them around the country, Nancy, in addition to dedicating her life to the raising of their three daughters, was also dedicated to pre-school education, working with pre-schools wherever she lived. To honor her love of the pre-school and elementary level of education, it is requested scholarships generated by this fund should not necessarily be limited to but given priority to students seeking degrees in pre-school and elementary education.

The Westveer Memorial scholarship fund was established in 2017 by Beverly Winkle and Marcia Sauntman to honor the memory of their parents, Frank and Jane Westveer and their sister Debbie Kennedy. Frank and Jane were partial owners of the local auto body shop and were life-long residents of McBain. They were both very active in the community and strong supporters of the McBain Public School. Mr. Westveer was president of the school board when he died in 1966. Debbie graduated in 1967, attended Calvin College and graduated with a BS degree in music. Debbie passed away in 2007 from ovarian cancer. It is preferred that this scholarship be awarded to students who are planning to pursue a career in music, auto body repair, or the medical field. If no qualified applicants plan to pursue a career in these fields or if the selection committee feels there is a better student match for this scholarship, then the scholarship may be awarded to a qualifying student pursuing a career in a different field.

The McBain Rural Agricultural School Foundation Scholarship Fund was established in 2014. This scholarship is funded by contributions made to the MRASF that are not designated for one of the other specific scholarships. The funds generated by an annual auction held each spring and generously supported by the McBain community and area merchants are also used to support this scholarship. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity.