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The 2012 RARE Everyday Heroes and scholarship recipients. Back row (left to right): Michael Boguth, Ashley Lorano, Julie Ferguson, Jill McFadden, Emily Simmons and Al Marino. Front row (left to right): Jessica Mudge, Jillian Ferguson, Richard Southward and Kayla Barker.
WARREN, MI, August 10, 2012 – Seven Michigan residents were honored with the Everyday Hero Award at the annual “Night of Heroes” event on July 31. The RARE Everyday Hero program, a Winning Futures’ program, is dedicated to inspiring Michigan’s youth through Everyday Heroes. The prestigious award celebrates the lives of everyday people in the workplace who, through extraordinary commitment, courage, compassion, and integrity are changing lives and inspiring others.
To be an Everyday Hero one has to be a proven leader, selfless and committed to enhancing the lives of others. Four Heroes were selected through a student essay contest where students shared compelling and personal arguments as to why their nominee should be honored. The other three Heroes were nominated by Tri-County area business members.
The 2012 RARE Everyday Heroes are:
• Michael Boguth, Hamilton Chevrolet
• Julie Ferguson, Financial Services of Northern Michigan
• Ashley Lorano, SRG Global
• Al Marino, Sorrento’s Pizza
• Jill McFadden, Quilted Memories
• Emily Simmons, Willow Tree Stables
• Andrew Wood, Winston Churchill High School.
The four students whose Hero was honored at the event each received a $2,500 scholarship, as did one additional student. Over 350 scholarship essays were submitted; all recipients will attend Michigan Colleges.
The scholarship recipients are:
• Kayla Barker, Garden City High School
• Jillian Ferguson, Alpena High School
• Jessia Mudge, Winston Churchill High School
• Richard Southward, Ravenna High School.
The RARE Everyday Hero Scholarship program is currently seeking scholarship submissions. The deadline is December 1st. To learn more about the program or how to apply for a scholarship please visit www.rarefoundation.org.
Winning Futures is an award winning nonprofit organization that makes a difference in the lives of young people by offering school-based mentoring programs and workshops for middle school and high school students in Southeast Michigan. Its programs focus on the life skills of character value identification, goal setting, career preparation, and strategic planning. Founded in 1994 by entrepreneur Sam Cupp, Winning Futures now partners with organizations throughout the country to implement our life skills workbooks and activities. For more information, visit www.winningfutures.org or call 586-294-8449.
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