SARASOTA, Fla. — DutchCrafters, a retailer of Amish furniture, has awarded its Heritage Scholarship to three individuals for the 2024-25 academic year. This year’s recipients were chosen from more than 200 applicants.
The Heritage Scholarship, established in 2011, is designed to encourage students to reflect on their heritage and its influence on their future careers. The scholarship awards $500, divided between the fall and spring semesters. Applicants are required to submit a formal application, a statement of financial need and an essay discussing how their background has influenced their career goals, how they can be an asset to their future employer and how they contribute to their community.
This year’s three recipients are:
- Matthew Peak, a resident of Kingwood, Texas, plans to study psychology at Texas A&M University with the goal of becoming a doctor. Peak’s career choice is deeply influenced by his grandmother’s healthcare struggles, where language barriers often led to miscommunication. Reflecting on his experiences, Peak stated: “I see myself as a physician and an advocate for the Hispanic community. I envision creating programs that address the unique health concerns of my people, promoting preventive care, and fostering an environment where cultural sensitivity is the norm, not the exception.”
- Beau Sackman, from Omak, Wash., aims to study environmental science, focusing on forest management and emergency preparedness. Growing up on a cattle ranch, Sackman witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of wildfires. This experience motivated him to pursue a career that would enable him to protect and manage natural resources effectively. He expressed his commitment by saying, “Through this, I will be able to assist my community and give back regarding how to best manage and protect our forests.”
- Solomia Mendyuk, from Lake Zurich, Ill., will pursue a degree in illustration. Her Ukrainian heritage plays a significant role in her artistic inspiration. Mendyuk’s connection to her culture has been strengthened by her family’s experiences and the recent war in Ukraine. She remarked, “I was surrounded by Ukrainian artwork and imagery in my community and in my home and took on many motifs from it to use in my own work.” She hopes to create artwork that embraces her cultural roots and offers a fresh perspective.