12 Year Old Skutt Scholarship Helps KCTC Students Go to College

 GRAND RAPIDS – Sixteen 2009 Kent Career Tech Center (KCTC) graduates will each receive a $1000 college scholarship thanks to the generosity of Robert H. Skutt of Caledonia Township.

When Skutt passed away in 1996, he left one seventh of his estate to Kent ISD. His will requires the money be distributed in the form of $1000 college scholarships for gifted and talented KCTC students. Winners must attend programs in the areas of science, math, engineering and similar subjects and are determined by the Kent ISD Superintendent, Director of Career and Technical Education and the KCTC Principal. Students are selected based on academic and skill proficiency, attendance record, participation in extracurricular activities and/or related work experience, leadership qualities and their written response to an essay question. Over the past 12 years of the scholarship's existence, 183 students have received financial aid to the college of their choice.

While Mr. Skutt’s education ended with eighth grade, friends believe his kindness is based on a desire to give local kids opportunities he never had. This year, his estate will see sixteen students from ten different KCTC programs receive the scholarship and help them begin their college careers. Students receiving the award are listed below.

Tiffany Brame, Home Schooled – Aviation Maintenance

Daniel Mangione, Home Schooled – Avionics-Aircraft Elect

Alexander Horton, Godwin Heights High School – Heating/Cooling/Refrigeration

John DeLong, North Point Christian High School – Information Technology

Danni Naffzinger, Cedar Springs High School – Site Design Management

Ashley Strobel, Home Schooled – Health Careers

Kyle VanDyke, Tri County High School – Information Technology

Taylor Pasma, Home Schooled – Graphic Design

Jessica Steensma, Kenowa Hills High School – Health Careers

Andrew McLemore, Home Schooled – Hospitality

Spencer DeYoung, Rogers High School – Information Technology

Ashley Kelly, Caledonia High School – Health Careers

Cole White, Forest Hills Central High School – Aviation Maintenance

Eric Culver, Forest Hills Northern High School – Aviation Maintenance

Jonathan Vanoyen, South Christian High School – Automotive Tech

Joanna Stewart, Sparta High School – Graphic Design