By Staff
CASSOPOLIS -- K &M Machine-Fabricating has awarded the annual Earl G. Marhanka Scholarships for 2004 to children of it employees. Each received $1,000.
Two recipients are graduating seniors from Decatur High School. Synthia Petty is the daughter of Gerald (Material Handler) and Sue Perry of Decatur. She has been accepted at Southwestern Michigan College and plans to major in Elementary Education. After completing her studies at SMC she will be transferring to Central Michigan University.
Synthia has been on the Decatur Honor Roll and has been a member of the high school basketball, soccer and softball teams. She has also participates in the Teacher Cadet Program.
David Williamson, another Decatur student, is the son of Paul (CNC Machinist) and Bethnay Williamson of Dowagiac. He has been accepted at Michigan State University and plans to study Pre-Medicine.
David is a member of the National Honor Society and has been on the Honor Roll every semester in high school. He has been a member of the Decatur football team and also has been All-State in wrestling throughout his high school career.
The third recipient is Michelle Shoemaker, a Brandywine High School senior. She is the daughter of Beth (Project Manager) and Stacey Shoemaker of Niles. She has been accepted at Lake Michigan College and plans to major in Special Education. Upon completion of her studies at LMC, she plans to continue at Western Michigan University.
Michelle has been an All-Conference member of the Brandywine softball team and has also played basketball throughout her high school career. In addition to attending school she also works part time as a teacher's aid at the Blossomland Learning Center.
The K &M Scholarship Program was established in 2001 to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of Earl Marhanka, who founded the business to the east of Cassopolis' downtown in 1951.
Scholarship opportunities are awarded annually to the sons and daughters of K &M employees and are based on academic achievement, financial need, extra curricular activity, work experience, career goals, communication skills, character and recommendations from academic and professional acquaintances. The scholarship awards are renewable for three additional years of undergraduate study.
K &M fabricates and machines major component parts for the construction, heavy equipment, mining, locomotive, special application off-road equipment and wind energy industries. Their nationally recognized sculpture fabricating division also offers services for artists working with metals in large scale.
There are approximately 130 individuals employed at the 220.000 square foot complex in Cassopolis.