Scholarships

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      Two Forest Hills seniors recently received $1,500 scholarships from the Friends of the Cascade Library to provide financial assistance as they move on to college in the fall. The 2023 scholarship winners are Sreejay Ramakrishnan (Forest Hills Eastern) and Summer Wu (Forest Hills Central).

      The Friends of the Cascade Library Memorial Scholarship program was launched in 2008 as a tribute to Marilyn Meyer, a founding member of the group, in partnership with an anonymous donor who funded half of the scholarship.

      Several years ago, the Friends increased the number of scholarships awarded to two. In addition to academic achievement, the criteria for the awards focus on community service and a commitment to volunteering, especially within the library system.

      Many former and current members of the Friends were teachers or were otherwise involved in the educational system, which make this scholarship program a natural fit for the Friends, according to the group’s president, Joe David.

      “The scholarship program acknowledges a continuous commitment to learning and volunteerism on the part of these amazing students,” David explained. “And, in a small way, it reinforces those behaviors, which are increasingly important in our world today.”

Sreejay Ramakrishnan

      Sreejay is graduating from Forest Hills Eastern High School with a 4.357 GPA. He is planning to attend the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan to study business, public policy, and psychology.

      Sreejay’s teachers describe him as leader in the classroom, the school and the community…as a collaborator whose positive energy and willingness to listen help synthesize differing opinions within a group. 

      Volunteerism and compassion are important to Sreejay, according to the Billy Bear Hug Foundation, where he “has been a terrific ambassador for our mission,” which is to comfort children with critical illnesses. 

      “I’ve always been a person that likes to help others, get involved in my community, and make a difference in any way that I can,” Sreejay said. “If there is anything that I have the power to do to make others just a little bit happier, or help someone with a small act, I will do it. Simply, I enjoy volunteering.

       “Surrounding myself with and getting involved in clubs at my high school that focus on volunteerism and leadership have increased my interest in volunteering. Being a part of the Kids Food Basket Youth Action Board and Billy Bear Hug Youth Advisory Board has augmented my passion for giving back. Knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s life fulfills me, and I strive to continue my passion of volunteerism and service into my future.”

Summer Wu

      Summer is graduating from Forest Hills Central School with a 4.000 GPA. She plans on attending the University of Michigan in the fall, majoring in chemistry.

Much of Summer’s volunteerism was in direct support of the Kent District Library where she helped develop virtual and in-person programs teaching Python and Scratch at the Kentwood and Wyoming branches.

      A programming specialist at the Kentwood branch said that Summer’s communication skills, punctuality and responsibility are what make her a great volunteer, not just a good one, and that she is “a dedicated community servant who looks to improve everything around her.”

      In teaching programming skills to young students, Summer said it is “the little moments that stand out…an enthusiastic thumbs-up from a tiny third grader, raucous laughter from an excited student and a quiet smile from a bashful young girl when her code works for the first time.”

      Summer said she credits her introduction to volunteering to a Forest Hills Central alum named Andy Travis, who also won a Friends scholarship in 2020. “He is one of the founders of Coders4Tomorrow, and he inspired me to engage in community outreach throughout my time in high school.”

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