Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

For good. For ever.

306 South University Avenue Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858 United States

(989) 773-7322

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

Scottie Miller Memorial Special Education Scholarship Fund

Scott “Scottie” Miller (November 3, 1991 to July 30, 2010) was a happy young man with a spunky attitude. Although he suffered from autism and bannayan zonana, a rare genetic condition, he touched the lives of those who knew him and was accepted and well-loved in his community. Scottie enjoyed taking long walks and hikes in the woods and loved running with his family and participating in running events. Scottie was also quite the daredevil in his own right; he treasured going to Cedar Point and riding roller coasters, especially the Gemini and the Magnum, as well as tubing behind the speedboat on sunny summer days with his mom, dad and sister Jaynie.

Scottie Miller

Scottie traveled the world with his family during his short life and was lucky enough to see much of the United States, including Hawaii, as well as Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Scottie always got the best tan on the beach and couldn’t get enough pool time, whether on vacation or at home! He made special friends in the PEAK program in Mt. Pleasant and was an inspiration to many college students through Connections That Count, a CMU student volunteer program that focused on assisting those with special needs.

Scottie will always be remembered for his beautiful smile, carefree disposition, and for doing whatever it took to snitch the nearest bottle of pop.  He made people laugh, warmed the hearts of many, and although non-verbal, personified the meaning of the phrase “live each day like it is your last”.

Like the theme of his favorite song from the movie Hercules, “Go the Distance”, the Miller family would like to honor Scottie by helping students who wish to pursue a special education career to achieve their dreams. It truly takes a hero to work with students like Scottie, and the Millers want extraordinary future special education teachers to understand how much they are valued and how important they are to families of children with special needs.

Scottie Miller Memorial Special Education Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply for the Scottie Miller Memorial Special Education Scholarship:

  • Applicant shall be a graduating senior from an Isabella County high school planning to study special education at an accredited college or university; or

  • Applicant shall be a college student who graduated from an Isabella County high school currently enrolled in a special education program at an accredited college or university; and

  • Applicant shall have a minimum 3.0 high school/college grade point average.

Preferences
In selecting the most qualified applicant to receive the scholarship, reviewers should give preference to the following, listed in priority order:

  • Applicant has volunteered or had friendships with people of special needs, as described in the applicant’s written essay.

  • Applicant has worked or participated in the PEAK Program, as described in the applicant’s written essay.

  • Applicant has a family member with special needs, as described in the applicant’s written essay.

  • Applicant has participated in athletics, especially cross country, track or recreational road running.