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Cadin Berry
LAPEER — Recent Lapeer High School (LHS) graduate Cadin Berry thought he would likely have to lean on student loans to pay for college this fall and cover expenses like room and board and books.
Fortunately, Berry won’t have to deal with those burdens because he became the first-ever recipient of the Lapeer High School Legacy Scholarship, a full-ride award presented by the Lapeer County Community Foundation (LCCF).
Berry, who will attend Central Michigan University in the fall, received his scholarship at Lapeer High School’s 2025 Senior Honors Convocation night on June 2. His award will cover the entire calculated cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books, fees, supplies and indirect costs such as transportation and living needs.
Lapeer Community Schools Superintendent Matt Wandrie presented Berry with his scholarship, saying Berry had received many accolades from teachers for his positive attitude, high character and tendency to encourage fellow classmates.
Berry was also commended for taking a job at Lapeer County Medical Care Facility (Suncrest), where he worked with senior citizens who have memory loss.
For Berry, the award represents a major financial relief heading into college.
“I felt pretty puzzled when they selected me for the scholarship at first, then I was really excited,” he said. “Now I don’t have to worry about student loans, and I can focus on school and get an on-campus job and not get stressed out by bills.”
Berry will pursue a pre-vet degree at CMU, with plans to become a veterinarian/ zoologist at a zoo once he completes his four-year degree. He said he is “the first in his bloodline” to attend college.
“Many in my family have given up on high school and joined the military. My mom was determined that cycle would not continue with me,” he said.
At Lapeer High School, Berry performed alto saxophone in the school marching band, an opportunity that helped him make new friends and display his skills with leadership and encouragement. Berry credits Alexis Johnson, his former band director, with helping to motivate him to finish high school and apply to CMU.
Berry was nominated for his scholarship by LHS teacher James Lane and LHS counselor Julie Pecore. About 60 students were nominated and applied for the Legacy Scholarship. Eventually, the list was narrowed to Berry and another finalist just before the LHS Senior Honors Convocation.
Nancy Boxey, executive director of the LCCF, said Berry’s award is more than a scholarship — it’s an investment in the kind of legacy that can’t be measured in dollars, but in lives changed.
“This scholarship reflects the heart of what we believe as a community foundation — that every student deserves the chance to succeed, not just those at the top of the class. The donor behind the Lapeer High School Legacy Scholarship understands that character, kindness and determination are just as important as academic achievement,” she said. “Cadin, the first student to receive this award, exemplifies the very type of student the donor hoped to uplift — hardworking, compassionate and driven to make a difference. This fund is about more than financial support; it’s about believing in the potential of young people to rise and thrive.”
The Lapeer High School Legacy Scholarship Fund, launched by an anonymous donor, is not based on test scores or trophies, but on character, compassion and untapped potential. The full ride scholarship removes financial barriers for award recipients who intend to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a Michigan public university.
Preference is given to first-generation students, those with limited family support and young people who demonstrate the kind of resilience and empathy that ripple outward and strengthen communities.
Unlike traditional scholarships that reward only the top academic or athletic performers, the Lapeer High School Legacy award is rooted in a belief that some of the most remarkable students are those who simply need someone to believe in them. It’s meant for the student who shows up, keeps trying, helps others and dreams big — even when the odds are stacked against them. This scholarship recognizes grit over grades, and kindness as a measure of success.
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