Current Scholarship Recipients

Grace Bae

Northville High School
David J. Hallissey Memorial Scholarship
2026/2027

Rebecca Berry

Salem High School
Roger and Elaine Zatkoff Scholarship
2026/2027

Rebecca Berry will attend the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, where she plans to pursue a degree in biology. With rigorous course load and 12 AP and Dual Enrollment courses, she earned straight As throughout high school. 

She is the founder of the Peace of Mind Book Club, a literacy and mental wellness initiative that has reached nearly 390 students who read and responded to over over 5,700 books featuring diverse characters who grappled with and overcame hardship.  She also launched the Fostering Kindness Drive, which collected over $30,000 worth of books and clothing for youth in foster care. In addition, Rebecca served as Co-president of Spanish Club and Vice President of Warriors of a Healthy Mind, where she advocates for mental health awareness and stigma reduction in her school community.

Beyond her volunteerism and leadership roles, Rebecca is an athlete and dedicated teammate in varsity soccer and field hockey, and she co-founded the P-CEP Pickleball club with her friends. Additionally, she conducted an independent research project exploring how diverse narratives influence emotional intelligence and empathy. She is also a baker and hobby watercolorist.

Rebecca is incredibly grateful to receive this scholarship and is excited to continue using science and service to make a meaningful impact on others. She looks forward to the opportunities ahead at the University of Michigan and the chance to grow as both a leader and a changemaker.

Lydia Binelli

Berkley High School
Larry Grajewski Scholarship
2026/2027
My name is Lydia Binelli, and I’m a senior at Berkley High School.  I am enrolled at Michigan's College of LSA to study Human Origins, Biology, and Behavior. At Berkley, I ran four seasons of varsity cross country, track & field, and three seasons of gymnastics. I have qualified for Regionals in 11 events across my three sports and served as captain of all three teams. I am participating in my third year of the National Honor Society and my fourth of the Science National Honor Society, and as president of the latter this school year. Outside of school, I created the Bravery Bears project to serve children in post-anesthesia care units and have over 200 hours of service. This past summer, I worked on a research paper published in the Journal of Thoracic Disease. 

Lasya Jalari

Canton High School
Roger and Elaine Zatkoff Scholarship
2026/2027
Lasya Jalari is a senior at Canton High School, and she will be attending the University of Michigan to study business. Currently, she is a participant in her school’s IB Diploma Programme, taking a total of 6 two-year IB courses. While taking multiple IB classes, she is an AP Scholar with Distinction. Additionally, she holds leadership positions in Key Club and Math Olympiad. She has won multiple awards in HOSA, and recently, she was named a National Merit Finalist. She is also on the Varsity Tennis Team. In her free time, Lasya enjoys playing tennis, biking, and spending time with friends and family.

Evan Wyatt

Dakota High School,
James H. LoPrete Scholarship
2026/2027
Evan will attend the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan, where he intends to study Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, ultimately planning to pursue medical school. As a summa cum laude graduate of Dakota High School, he ranked in the top 1% of his class of over 600 students. Evan took a challenging course load, including 12 AP classes and several honors classes, and was recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction. He also earned first place in the regional Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) competition. As a dedicated leader, Evan serves as Vice President of Dakota Key Club, President of Animal Welfare Workers, and is a leading officer in both National Honor Society and National Psychology Honor Society. Through these roles, he has discovered a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose in serving his community throughout high school. One of Evan’s most rewarding experiences was serving as National President of the Social Justice Dialogue Club, where he led meaningful weekly conversations guided by his commitment to equity and inclusivity; Evan is a firm believer that respectful dialogue results in greater understanding and drives positive change in the community. Beyond academics and leadership, Evan has worked as a gymnastics coach since the age of 14, mentoring young athletes year-round. He also serves as a shift lead at the Dodge Park Splash Pad and operates his own independent automotive detailing business. Evan looks forward to his time at the University of Michigan and remains committed to community service initiatives.

Angela Zhang

Troy High School
David J. Hallissey Memorial Scholarship
2026/2027
Angela is a proud part of Troy High School’s Class of 2026. She has a mission to empower children through education, which she accomplishes by leading two student nonprofits: the Association of Technology and Education Foundation and The New Page Project. Angela has also been part of the Troy Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board for years - where she organized events for local kids - and served as the president. Furthermore, Angela has always been drawn to business. She won the DECA International Career Development Conference (a business competition) in 2025. In addition, Angela is an avid artist and athlete. She has been a key part of the Troy Girls Varsity Tennis team for three years. Last year she was the state semifinalist in doubles, and this year she is the team captain. Angela’s future path is to study business at the UM Ross School of Business (her dream school). She will use her learning to create even more change.