Below are the scholarship funds held at the Allendale Community Foundation and the list of 2023 scholarship recipients. Click on any of the names to learn the story behind that particular scholarship fund. Click on the box below for the scholarship recipient list.
Allendale Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Award
Established by the Allendale Chamber of Commerce in 1995, this scholarship is awarded to an Allendale High School student planning to attend Grand Valley State University.
Allendale Community Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship was established to support a graduate residing in Allendale Charter Township.
Lindsey Bakale Memorial Scholarship Fund
This fund was established in 2001 in loving memory of Lindsey Bakale, who died tragically at a very young age. The Bakale family believes it is important to make a difference in young people’s lives within the Allendale Community.
This fund will contiune Lindsey’s legacy by awarding an annual scholarship to an outstanding Allendale High School
graduating senior who plans to pursue their dreams through a college education.
Detter Family Foundation Education Scholarship
This scholarship was started by Jason Detter, through the Detter Family Foundation, for graduates of Allendale Public High School. Recipients must be pursuing a career in the field of education and attending a 4-year Michigan college. Leadership and involvement in extracurricular activities must be demonstrated.
Detter Family Foundation Leaders in Mathematics and Science Scholarship
This scholarship was started by Jason Detter, through the Detter Family Foundation, for graduates of Allendale Public High School. Recipients must be pursuing a career in the field of mathematics or science and attending a 4-year Michigan college. Leadership and involvement in extracurricular activities must be demonstrated.
David James Merkle Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship fund was started in 2006 by the Merkle family after the unexpected death of their son and brother, David James Merkle. Since David worked with many special education teachers in the Allendale Public Schools, and at Sheldon Pines School, because of learning and emotional disabilities, his family desired to assist those preparing to work with special needs students like David.
This fund will honor his life by offering scholarships to students at Grand Valley State University who plan to pursue careers in special education.
Alyssa Olafson Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was established by family and friends in loving memory of a remarkable young woman.
Alyssa Olafson passed away at the age of 19 from a sudden cardiac arrhythmia. Alyssa was a 2013 graduate from Allendale High School, a freshman at Western Michigan University and employed at Harbor House Ministries. Alyssa was involved with many extracurricular activities including a member of the National Honor Society, Co-Captain of the Varsity Soccer team receiving All Conference Honors, member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, part of the Youth Group at Life Stream Church and Cru, a student ministry at WMU.
Alyssa will forever be remembered as a phenomenal daughter, sister and friend. This Scholarship will be awarded annually to a female student who will be studying Health and Human Services in college and have achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA. Special consideration will be given to those who, like Alyssa, play varsity soccer and exhibit a strong Christian faith.
The 2022 recipient of this scholarship is Kaitlynn Sal.
Herman J. and Helen D. Wyngarden Memorial Scholarship Fund
Established in memory of Herman J. and Helen D. Wyngarden, long-time educators, this fund commemorates Dr. and Mrs. Wyngarden’s commitment to education and will help deserving students further their education beyond the high school level.
Preference may be given to students who plan to study economics or medicine.