32 Thursday, July 25, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Fatima Cruz, Liberty Powers
and Lexia Wabindato have earned
American Association of University
Women scholarships for fall 2024,
says Wendy Kropp, the local chap-
ter’s scholarship chairperson.
A Lakeview High School graduate,
Cruz will be the first in her family to
graduate from college.
Her family migrated to the U.S.
when she was 4.
She is majoring in kinesiology at
Albion College and is on trrack to
become a physical therapist.
Cruz, who is bilingual, participates
in weekly projects with the Volunteer
Bureau at Albion, helping people in
need.
Powers graduated from Marshall
High School and is currently enrolled
at Kellogg
Community
College, major-
ing in radiogra-
phy.
She devel-
oped a keen
interest in sci-
ence and tech-
nology after
breaking her
arm – twice.
“Her very
personal expe-
rience as a child with broken bones
inspired her become not only the
person behind the camera (taking
the X-rays), but also the clinician
who explains results to the patient,”
explained Kropp.
She is a
member of
the National
Honor Society,
and credits the
NHS and vol-
unteerism with
improving her
level of confi-
dence.
Wabindato
is a Pennfield
High School
graduate and is
currently enrolled as a health science-
biology major at the University of
Michigan in Ann Arbor.
She is a pre-med student, and like
Cruz, will be the first member of her
family to graduate from college.
“She embrac-
es credibil-
ity, trust and
teamwork: all
important val-
ues ensuring
she will thrive
in a medical
career. She
truly believes
in the inter-
nal reward a
positive impact
makes,” said
Kropp.
In addition, last year’s scholar-
ship recipient, Megan Underwood,
completed her bachelor’s degree in
accounting with help from AAUW,
and is now pursuing her MBA.
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Local AAUW names scholarship recipients
Fatima Cruz Liberty Powers Lexia Wabindato
“The AAUW strongly encourages
connections with former scholarship
recipients,” said Kropp.
They may write the organization at
44 W. Jackson St., Battle Creek, MI
49015.
AAUW scholarships are awarded
each year to young women who
graduate from a Calhoun County
High School; have already completed
their first two years of college; and
are pursuing a degree in the field of
Science, Technology, Engineering or
Math (STEM).
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