The Berry/Kauffold Scholarship 2024
The Berry/Kauffold Scholarship is designed to help students further their music education. The purpose of our scholarship is to provide monetary incentives to musically talented high school students. The money can be used to purchase/lease new or upgraded instrument(s) or to offset expenses for band camp or for private instrumental instruction from a qualified teacher or program.
The award of scholarship support is based upon completion of the application and the recommendation forms and a two-to-five minute video/audio file.
Through this program, we will be awarding $2000 to deserving high school students in Michigan.
Our goal is to encourage long-term involvement in music performance and to make students aware of the opportunity to continue performance with a community music experience and to pursuing music education after high school.
In order to apply, Scholarship applicants must :
- Attend High School in the state of Michigan
or
be sponsored by a current Michigan District Optimist Club - Be in the ninth (9th) through eleventh (11th) grade
- Current members of their high school instrumental or orchestral music program.
Application and Reference Forms
are due by April 15, 2024
All applicants with complete applications will be on the status of his/her scholarship application process.
SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION OF AWARDS*
- Scholarships will be awarded during the Michigan District Optimists Third Quarter Conference in May.
Time and date TBD. - Should this award presentation be postponed or cancelled due to Covid 19, the award announcements will be made via USPS mail.
- Scholarship Awards will be made at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee and must be used by September 15, 2024. The decisions of the Scholarship Committee and Judges are final.
*If the Scholarship will be used for Private Lessons a Verification Log is required
The Private Lesson Verification Log is to be sent to the address listed below no later than October 1, 2024.
The award will be known to the recipient within thirty (30) days after the log has been received.
Payment will be made directly to the student thirty (30) days after the log has been received and verified .
Send Verification Log to:
Michelle Kauffold
8898 Longview Drive
Stanwood, MI 49346
If you have any questions, please contact the
Scholarship Committee Michigan District Optimist/Optimist International
Debra Berry
(ph)248/467-0592
(email) deb@debinparis.com
or
Michelle Kauffold
(ph) 313-510-6300
(email) newmichelle@att.net
Celebrating Musical Excellence: 2024 Berry/Kauffold Music Scholarship Winners Announced
The Michigan District of Optimist International is thrilled to announce the winners of the prestigious Berry/Kauffold Music Scholarship for 2024. This scholarship is designed to support young, talented musicians as they continue their musical journeys in high school and beyond. We are proud to recognize the dedication and talent of our young musicians and are excited to share their achievements with our community.
About the Berry/Kauffold Music Scholarship
The Berry/Kauffold Music Scholarship aims to help high school students in grades nine through eleven pursue their musical interests. To be eligible, students must be in good standing with their high school’s instrumental music department. The scholarship can be used for various purposes, such as attending summer music camps, taking private lessons, or purchasing or upgrading instruments.
This year, the scholarship was promoted through Michigan District Optimist emails and the organization’s website. Instrumental music teachers across the state were contacted via email to encourage their students to apply. Ten dedicated students completed the necessary requirements, including an application, a teacher’s recommendation, and a video or audio performance demonstrating their musical skills.
2024 Scholarship Winners
We are proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Berry/Kauffold Music Scholarship:
- 1st Place: Clare Pelli
- School: Bullock Creek High School
- Instrument: Saxophone
- 2nd Place: Caleb Bauer
- School: Walled Lake Northern High School
- Instrument: Violin
- 3rd Place: Lila Tasdemir
- School: North Farmington High School
- Instrument: String Bass
These talented students stood out among their peers, showcasing exceptional skill and dedication to their craft. Each of these winners will use their scholarship to further their musical education and development.
The Importance of Supporting Young Musicians
Supporting young musicians is crucial for fostering creativity, discipline, and cultural enrichment within our communities. Scholarships like the Berry/Kauffold Music Scholarship provide invaluable resources for students to enhance their musical abilities and pursue their passions. By investing in these young artists, we are nurturing the next generation of musicians who will continue to inspire and uplift us with their music.
Looking Ahead
We are excited to see how Clare, Caleb, and Lila will use their scholarships to further their musical pursuits. Their achievements are a testament to the hard work and dedication of students and educators alike. The Michigan District of Optimist International remains committed to supporting young musicians and looks forward to continuing this tradition of excellence in the years to come.
For more information about the Berry/Kauffold Music Scholarship and to stay updated on future opportunities, please visit Michigan Optimists.
Join us in congratulating these outstanding young musicians and celebrating their achievements. Together, we can ensure that the love of music continues to thrive in our communities.
Michelle Kauffold
Scholarship Committee