2025 Scholarship Recipients

Naomi Graham

Naomi attended West Michigan Aviation Academy in Grand Rapids where she earned a 4.3 GPA. Living with a passion and a purpose, Namoi wants to be an English teacher and teach abroad. If she was on a deserted island and could bring one book, she would bring the Bible. Being of strong faith and through education she sees herself being of service to others. To quote Naomi, “I’m also sentimental to a fault. I often find myself caught up in nostalgia over the past and gratitude for the many wonderful experiences I’ve gotten to have in this life.” On that deserted island her sentimental choice would be dream journals, travel journals, diaries with God. “My journals are like a written footprint of (most) everywhere I've been and (most) everything I’ve felt. They would bring me a great deal of comfort and joy.” This scholarship is for tuition at Grand Valley State University for the 2025-26 school year.

Alejandra Tienda Paz

Alejandra’s plan is to further her education at Western Michigan University, and to major in nutrition and dietetics in hopes of becoming a registered dietitian.

Alejandra’s parents, being Mexican migrants, have influenced her educational goals, motivating her to pursue her dream career at her dream college. Her parents decided to take the risk of immigration knowing they would come across countless obstacles. One of the biggest hurdles they faced was struggling financially in a brand new environment. Alejandra shared, “Knowing the hardships my parents faced to get to where they are today has inspired me to chase after my goals no matter how hard they may seem.”

Throughout her high school career, Alejandra has embraced a deep sense of empathy and compassion for others.

Chloe Visscher

One of our foundations objectives is to offer educational scholarships to students with diverse backgrounds and interests.  With that please meet Chloe Visscher who is off to University of Northwestern Ohio this fall pursuing an Associates degree in Automotive High Performance. The first in her family to go to college. Why Northwestern Ohio? Because they have a competitive Monster Truck team and Chloe wants to compete. She has a 4.014 grade point average while taking Honors and Advanced Placement coursework. We admire the courage and confidence that it takes to enroll in a male-dominated program such as Auto Tech, but that’s who Chloe is! She’s completely comfortable in her own skin and is at home in the auto shop environment. Long term goal is to to join a race team and 

travel the globe.

Ari Gruber
Mayor's Scholarship

The Cross Family Foundation is pleased to recognize Ari Gruber as the recipient of the Mayor's Scholarship in memory of Robert Heasly, the long term Mayor of Parchment. Ari will be entering Lee's Honors College at WMU this fall seeking a diploma in Biomedical Sciences.