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BERRIEN COUNTY — Berrien Community Foundation is awarding $104,500 in scholarships to Niles, Brandywine and Buchanan students as part of its annual scholarship program, which will award over $470,000 for the upcoming school year.

Berrien Community Foundation (BCF) hosted its “Wicked Adventure” Scholarship Celebration June 17 at Hidden Pointe Event Hall in Benton Harbor. Inspired by the movie “Wicked,” the evening celebrated the “magic of education” and how being different – being you – is what makes you powerful.

Fifteen students living or attending school in southern Berrien County received a combined $104,500 in scholarships. Those students are: All God’s Children Community Choir Scholarship: Maxwell Arbanas (Buchanan); F.A. Mason Penwell Nursing Scholarship: Onjaniaina Tsiry Christiane Rasamimanana Herivonjy (Lake Michigan College) and Hayley Smith (Lake Michigan College); Frederick S. Upton Foundation Opportunity Scholarship: Jenna Franklin (Buchanan) and Zachary Hines (Niles); James & Bernadette McKittrick Agricultural and Environmental Scholarship: Carter Sobecki (Brandywine) and Coy Weinberg (Buchanan); Lora Wile-Miller Memorial Scholarship: Jenna Franklin (Buchanan); Marion & Dan Crossman Scholarship: Alyssa Hamrick (Niles); Maybury Scholarship: Coy Weinberg (Buchanan); New Futures Scholarship: Angelica Mazumder (Niles); Rodney Weir Marching Band Scholarship: Adam Starr (Brandywine); Ronald H. Miller Journalism Scholarship: Emma Williams (Niles); Southwest Michigan Human Trafficking Taskforce Scholarship: Hailey Robbins (Buchanan); Stoub Family Scholarship for Working Students: Geneva Tabor (Buchanan); Trefz Family Scholarship: Benjamin Liebich (Michigan Lutheran).  In total, 88 scholarships were awarded to 84 students from across Berrien County and Hartford for a total of $470,500.

“A scholarship is not just a financial gift – it’s an investment in a student’s potential to change their life and the world around them,” said Lisa Cripps-Downey, BCF President. “Behind every scholarship is a donor whose generosity creates a lasting impact, empowering students to achieve more than they ever imagined.”

BCF offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors, students currently in college, adults returning to the classroom and students going into the skilled trades.