Meet Our 2025 Scholarship Recipients

MCKENNA GELINAS is a recent graduate of Traverse City Christian School. Throughout high school she was dual enrolled at Northwestern Michigan College, and active in student council, prayer groups, basketball, and gymnastics. She plans to attend Cornerstone University this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in exercise science with a pre-physical therapy emphasis. She will also participate in various research projects and join the cheerleading team. McKenna is so thankful for all the opportunities she had during her high school years and looks forward to a new chapter of life!

MATTHEW SNOVER is a recent Traverse City Central High School graduate and a second-year student in the power equipment program at Career Tech Center. He is an Eagle Scout and loves spending time outdoors and hanging out with friends. His future plans include attending Ohio Technical College, where he will study diesel equipment technology, and hopes to pursue a career in that field.

WILL VANDERHEIDE graduated as the valedictorian of the Elk Rapids High School class of 2025. A passionate soccer player and active leader in NHS, student government, and various clubs, Will diligently balanced academics with athletics and community involvement. In his free time, he enjoys backpacking, wake surfing, Spikeball, and spending time with family and friends. His favorite high school memory was reaching the state finals with his soccer team. Will plans to attend the University of Michigan this fall and pursue a career in medicine, aspiring to become an anesthesiologist.

CHRIS CORBETT is a Northern Michigan native and first-generation college student currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. After earning his degree from Ferris State and spending several years in sales and business development, Chris is now focused on finding and acquiring a small business in Michigan to create jobs and drive long-term growth in his home state. He’s also passionate about investing in startups and helping entrepreneurs grow. Outside of work and school, Chris enjoys golfing, volunteering, and spending time on the water with his wife and their two dogs. Go Blue!

ASHLEY FOLKERSMA is a 2023 Kingsley High School graduate. She plans to study animal science with a minor in agri-business at Michigan State University this fall. Her future plans include becoming a large animal agricultural veterinarian. She has 13 years experience in 4-H and currently serves as a teen representative and the 2024–2025 Northwestern Michigan Fair Queen. Her goal is to serve rural communities through mobile vet services and, eventually, open an equine facility focused on reproduction, surgery, and horse rescue. Ashley is grateful for this support as she pursues a career in agriculture and animal care.