5 Bay College Students Win Statewide Scholarships

Five students from Bay College's TRIO program just proved that big achievements aren't limited to big schools.

Chad Drummonds, Gabrielle LeBeau, Destiny Lopez, Travis Mills, and Lara Ryan competed against students from community colleges and universities across Michigan for scholarships recognizing academic achievement and progress. All five Bay College students won.

"They were competing against students from colleges and universities across Michigan," said Matt Stewart, director of TRIO Student Support Services at Bay College. "To have five of our students selected is a great accomplishment."

The scholarships came through Michigan College Access Program & Personnel, which hosts a competitive application process each year. Winners don't just receive funding. They also attend the MICAPP Student Leadership Summit in Lansing.

From February 27 to March 1, the five students attended this year's summit. Each delivered a speech as part of the scholarship recognition ceremony in front of attendees from across the state.

For many of the students, this marked their first time speaking at a statewide event. Stewart noted the significance of this milestone for students who may not have had opportunities to present on such a large stage before.

Why This Inspires

Beyond the scholarship ceremony itself, the summit offered something equally valuable: connection. Students chose from breakout sessions covering financial literacy, graduate school preparation, leadership development, and professional branding. They tailored their experience to match their personal goals.

The event also gave students from smaller communities exposure to academic and career pathways they might not encounter locally. They connected with peers and professionals from different regions, expanding their networks beyond their immediate area.

"These opportunities are really important," Stewart said. "For many of our students, this was their first time speaking at a statewide event in front of that many people. They did a wonderful job and we're really proud of them."

The TRIO Student Support Services program exists specifically to help students who face barriers to higher education succeed. Seeing five students from one program sweep scholarships in a statewide competition shows the program is delivering on that promise.

These five students didn't just win scholarships—they proved they belong at the table with peers from any institution in Michigan.