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The stars shine bright in and around Veteran’s Memorial Field in Ithaca.
Thousands upon thousands upon thousands upon thousands of stars shining.
They’re anywhere and everywhere all at the same time.
On Wednesday afternoon six newly-named mid-Michigan stars joined the cluster too as the 2025 ‘Gratiot County Veteran’s Memorial Scholarship’ winners were announced. The ‘Class of 2025’ each received college scholarship checks for $5,000 as well a Gold Star jackets and a MYVMS.org hat and name plaque.
The ‘Class of 2025’ consists of Alma’s Owen Seeley; Ashley’s Gavin Malek; Breckenridge’s Kayla Goward; Fulton’s Kendra Pfeil; Ithaca’s David Munro and St. Louis’ Elizabeth Starry.
The ‘Gratiot County Memorial Scholarship’ program is in its third year. Scholarships are awarded annually to one graduating senior from each of Gratiot County’s six school districts in Alma, Ashley, Breckenridge, Fulton, Ithaca and St. Louis. Recipients are selected for the dedication to community, patriotism and academic achievement.
The first class was in 2023 and consisted of Alma’s Devin Dennison; Ashley’s Logan Drummond; Breckenridge’s Emma Nelson; Fulton’s Cayden Curtis; Ithaca’s Caleigh Shook and St. Louis’ Payton Kuhn. Last year’s class consisted of Alma’s Eliana Rodriguez; Ashley’s Clayton Juhas; Breckenridge’s Megan Goward; Fulton’s Sydney Ash; Ithaca’s Jordyn Smith and St. Louis’ Kylie Acker.
Thus, without further ado, let’s meet the ‘Class of 2025.’
Owen Seeley, Alma
“It’s a really big thing for me to help me pay for school,” said Seeley, who plans on attending Lansing Community College. “It gives me a jump start on college.”
Seeley plans on playing basketball at LCC this fall after starring for the Panthers for the past several years. This past winter he averaged 16 points and nine rebounds per game. He also sports a 3.96 GPA. Seeley said he plans on being a physical therapist.
Gavin Malek, Ashley
“It’s a great honor and I am humbled by it,” said Malek, who finished near the top of his class with a 3.2 GPA. “I’m really, really, happy I was chosen for this. It takes a lot of self-discipline and hard work, but in the end it’s all worth it. Hard work truly does pay off.”
Malek said he had an overall GPA of 2.3 through his sophomore year before buckling down and averaging an overall GPA of 3.85 as a junior and senior. He plans on attending Montcalm Community College for general studies before moving on to a university after that.
Kayla Goward, Breckenridge
“It’s a great honor that will definitely help me further my education,” said Goward, whose cousin Megan Goward of Breckenridge earned the scholarship in 2024. “It’s definitely going to help me on my path.”
Goward said she plans on attending Michigan State University to study accounting. She finished with a 4.0 GPA and was class Valedictorian.
Kendra Pfeil, Fulton
“Winning this scholarship is a big deal,” said Pfeil, who closed her high school career with a GPA around 3.5. “I would recommend people apply it because it provides a special opportunity. I’m very grateful.”
Pfeil said she plans on attending Mid Michigan College and studying Radiology.
David Munro, Ithaca
“It’s a game-changer for me,” said Munro of receiving the scholarship. “I feel blessed.”
Munro was super-active while at Ithaca as he was a member of the marching band (alto sax), National Honor Society and bowling team. He said he plans on attending Montcalm Community College for two years before transferring to CMU to study information technology (IT).
Elizabeth Starry, St. Louis
“I am very grateful to receive this scholarship,” said Starry, who finished third in her class with a 4.3 GPA. “A lot of the stuff I did in high school has led up to this point in various club activities and the organizations I am in. I did a lot of extracurricular activities and was involved in the community.”
Starry plans on attending Saginaw Valley State University and studying elementary education.
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