St. Alphonsus Education Endowment Scholarships

 On Sunday, May 19, 2024, the St. Alphonsus Education Endowment recognized several All Saints Academy students during their annual Honors Mass. Executive Director, Mr. Joe Gietzen, joined members of the Endowment Board to present the scholarship awards.

The Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters established the Sr. Roberta Hefferan and Sr. Olga Mizzi Scholarships in the names of two members of their community who were deeply engaged in St. Alphonsus Parish. 

Sister Olga Mizzi, OP, was devoted to religious service and education and brought joy and knowledge to thousands of students as a teacher in St. Alphonsus School. The winner of the Sr. Olga Mizzi Scholarship is Magdalena Ceru who was nominated by her teacher, Melanie Groh.  

She quietly and politely volunteers to help out around the building during the day.  She won't even say anything, she'll just jump in where help is needed; if it's picking up markers for a neighbor or staying with an injured friend on the playground waiting for a supervisor, she is there, patient and calm.  She is a top-notch Bucket Filler!  She volunteers to sing at school Mass,  After school, she helps her mother in the toddler room at ASA.  She doesn't shout her love for Jesus and others with her voice, however, with all of her actions.   

Sister Roberta Hefferan, OP, recognized and responded to the needs of others through vibrant social outreach programs including the Food & Clothing Pantry. The winner of the Sr. Roberta Scholarship is Kasia Saganski.  Her nominating teacher, Carrie Bowman, had the following to say:

Kasia is a very kind soul.  As a second grader, she shows empathy to many students not only in her class but with the lower grades, too.  She is always willing to help when needed  without any questions asked. This year we have a kindergarten student that needs some help getting her things organized and packed up at the end of the school day.  The first student that came to mind for Mrs. Wendy Bowman and I was Kasia!  She is so patient and kind to this kindergartener every day.  Kasia is a peace maker and offers help to solve problems with her friends.  She exemplifies what it is means to be a bucket filler in our school.  She is very active in her parish.  Kasia volunteered at many fish frys to bus tables for Lent and read/reads at Sunday masses.   Kasia is an awesome student and is one of a kind.  She is more than deserving of this reward.

The Sean Earl Scholarship is awarded to 7th grade students attending All Saints Academy who demonstrate strength of character, kindness, and service toward others. Mr. and Mrs. Earl joined the Endowment Board in presenting the memorial award to this year’s recipients Evelyn Carter and Edmund Marcusse.

Brody Miron was the recipient of the St. Alphonsus Founders’ Fund Scholarship. The Founders’ Fund Scholarship is awarded to a qualifying new student at All Saints Academy who is also a St. Alphonus parishioner.  

Congratulations to all of the award recipients!  Thank you, St. Alphonsus Education Endowment, for your support of All Saints Academy and our students!