James A Cook Memorial Scholarship

Funded by
Cook Family
$10,525
1 winner$10,525
Awarded
Application Deadline
May 1, 2023
Winners Announced
Jun 15, 2023
Education Level
High School
10
Contributions
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior
State:
Michigan
Education Level:
State:
High school senior
Michigan

James A. Cook (Jim) was born in Allegan, MI in 1948 as the fifth of eight children. He graduated from Allegan High School in 1966, excelling in the classroom and on the athletic fields, lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He earned civil engineering degrees from Albion College, where he also played football and baseball, and the University of Michigan.

After college, Jim enjoyed a successful 45+ year career in civil engineering eventually serving as President of Prein & Newhof from 2008-2012 and as Board Chairman from 2013 until his retirement at the end of 2015. Jim’s leadership and mentorship left a lasting impression on the firm that continues to this day.

Despite his own talents in athletics and music and his career success, Jim always seemed to care even more about his role as a loving husband, father and grandfather. Nothing gave him greater joy than supporting and cheering on his children and grandchildren at their various pursuits – football games, tennis matches, baseball games, softball games, golf tournaments, guitar recitals, fishing and more.

This scholarship seeks to honor Jim’s legacy of servant leadership and making the world around him a better place by supporting students who embody his spirit of servant leadership in their educational and extracurricular pursuits (athletics, music, community service, etc.).

Any high school senior in Michigan may apply for this scholarship.

To apply, tell us how you practice servant leadership in your daily interactions with family, school and/or extracurricular activities and how you believe these actions positively impact those around you.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published December 16, 2022
$10,525
1 winner$10,525
Awarded
Application Deadline
May 1, 2023
Winners Announced
Jun 15, 2023
Education Level
High School
10
Contributions
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Essay Topic

How do you practice servant leadership in your daily interactions with family, school and/or extracurricular activities. How do you believe these actions positively impact those around you?

400–600 words

Winning Application

James Blackburn
Central Michigan UniversityMT PLEASANT, MI
My parents are my teachers and not because I am homeschooled. I attend the same small, rural school where they teach. They believe that they should have enough faith in the school where they work that they would send their own children to it. They have set an example of servant leadership that has shaped my life. As an athlete, sports make up one part of my community. My application shows that I am a five-sport eighteen-time varsity athlete. It does not show how I have tried to be the type of leader and teammate that creates positivity and opportunities for others. Soccer is my passion, but I almost didn’t play high school soccer. When I was in middle school, Martin did not have a soccer team. I started a conversation with the athletic director; working together, we found a neighboring school that would co-op with us. I was able to play varsity soccer all four years of high school, two as captain. That partnership extends to other sports, like golf, and created opportunities for more than a dozen other student athletes to follow passions that our school could not offer alone. Bowling was new to me when I hit high school, but I wanted to try it. When our bowling team faced possible elimination, I helped find a coach and encouraged others to join. We now have almost 30 bowlers, many of whom would not be student athletes without the program. There are other teams that I’ve helped as well. I joined football when the regular kicker came down with Covid and left the team in need. I was just supposed to fill in, but, turns out, I had a lot to contribute. I joined the team as a backup kicker. This year, I had to step up for the state championship game when the starter became injured. I contributed seven points and we won. I began cross country the same way - as a fill-in. They had four scoring runners and needed five to make a team. I came out my freshman year and helped the team be competitive and just kept coming back to be part of the team. My peers have seen my commitment beyond sports. They have elected me to positions in student government. As student council president, I work to make other council members successful. I chair committees and help underclassmen figure out plans and solve problems. Together we plan and execute homecoming weeks and community service projects. As class vice president, I have worked with my classmates to plan prom and senior trip, execute numerous fundraisers, and encourage participation in community-building events like homecoming. In these leadership roles, I have helped my classmates have fun and create experiences with one another that they will remember for years. I’ve also mentored younger students on how to be leaders and help create the kind of school they envision. Whether it’s contributing to a sports team or the activities of the student body, I have the desire to serve my community. That desire is even shaping my future. I want to become a family practitioner in underserved communities, like rural areas. There is a need for this type of medical care to be available, and I believe I can make more of a difference in a community in this capacity. Whatever path I take and whatever university I attend, my commitment to giving back and my style of servant leadership come with me. I have watched firsthand as my parents have lived it, and their example has deeply ingrained it in me.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 1, 2023. Winners will be announced on Jun 15, 2023.

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