Shiawassee Scholars Class of 2023

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On March 19, forty-nine eighth grade students officially became Shiawassee Scholars. The Class of 2023 pictured here is from: Byron, Corunna, Durand, Laingsburg, Morrice, New Lothrop, Owosso, Perry and St. Paul schools. By identifying and recognizing academically talented students early, the Shiawassee Scholars program seeks to encourage students to continue to pursue academically challenging activities during their high school years.  The program is a partnership between the Cook Family Foundation and the Shiawassee Regional Education Service District, and since 1999 and has recognized over 1000 Scholars.

The Shiawassee Scholars Program provides resources and support to academically talented high school students to reach their full potential.  Students are identified in eighth grade by achieving the highest scores in the county on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). Shiawassee Scholars participate in several programs, starting with a three-day trip this June to the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor.  Through high school, Scholars have the opportunity to practice their test-taking skills, attend several informational sessions regarding planning for college and career, get assistance with dual enrollment options and accelerated academic programs, and can apply for a scholarship for a summer academic program.

The newest Shiawassee Scholars (by school district) are: Larissa Call, Olivia Chapman, Reese Forgie, Mitchell Morrow, Houghton Svoboda, Lana Treidel, and Nathan Webster from Byron; Chase Bone, Laurie Platner, Isaiah Shook, Kaylee Siddens, Peyton Termeer, and Xavier Zuckschwerdt from Corunna; Sydney Leydig, Jillian Reddy, and Jaxon Smith from Durand; Emilia Laing, Aubrey Loos, Sydney Morrill, Casmir Palazzolo, Nicholas Regan, Olivia Rodriguez, Ian Smith, and Mitchell Yates from Laingsburg; Payton Gutting and Campbell Stinson from Morrice; and Nicholas Barnette, Ryan Heslip, and Tyler Kohlmann from New Lothrop; Claire Agnew, Alexander Binger, Amanda Brainerd, Tanner Cummings, Abigail Dryer, Evan Livingston, Adam Marcotte, Liam McGraw, Olivia McIntyre, Natalie Nolph, Elizabeth Rood, Marisa Rose, Natalie Thayer, and John Tuttle IV from Owosso; Chloe Douglas, Cassidy Flick, Jonah Smith, and David Zheng from Perry; and Tyler Hufnagel and Olivia Savage from St. Paul.

For more information about the Shiawassee Scholars contact Renee Doston at the SRESD by calling 989-743-3471  or by emailing her at: [email protected] or follow on FaceBook.

Brain Tumor Research Gets Personal

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We have long been fans of the University of Michigan, but since last year when our Executive Director, Tom Cook, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, we have become even bigger advocates and supporters. The neurosurgery team at Michigan Medicine provided Tom world-class care and successful brain surgery restored him to his leadership role at the Foundation. Now the Foundation has made a $25,000 gift to establish the Cook Family Brain Tumor Research Fund to help the University of Michigan enhance its ability to treat others with brain tumors.

Dr. Dan Orringer and Tom Cook after successful surgery

Tom Cook was lucky, “blessed” he would say.  After a scary few weeks between diagnosis and surgery, we were all relieved to learn the mass in Tom’s brain was non-cancerous.  Brain surgery is inherently risky, but Dr. Dan Orringer and his team expertly removed the tumor and a recent follow-up visit confirmed that Tom’s outlook is a good one.  Most brain tumors are malignant and require complex responses involving (perhaps) not only surgery but radiation treatment and chemotherapy. Learn more about this work at Michigan Medicine (click here).

The Cook Family Brain Tumor Research Fund will support research in the use of novel tumor imaging to improve surgical outcomes. Tom Cook’s tumor was discovered through the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). But at UM, more advanced forms of imaging are being explored and used not only for diagnosis, but also to guide the surgeon during surgery. The University of Michigan is at the leading edge of developing and using new technology to better care for brain tumor patients.

Dr. Orringer works with a number of researchers including Todd Hollon, MD a native of Ionia, Michigan who received his undergraduate education at UM.  This team is devoted to translating advances in optics into tools that can help surgeons safely remove brain tumors with greater accuracy; these tools were used to assist in the treatment of Tom’s tumor. The team has recently developed a new technology called stimulated Raman histology (SRH). Now in use at leading cancer centers across the United States, SRH is an imaging method that provides microscopic images of tumor cells in the operating room.  SRH allows surgeons to understand what type of tumor they are operating on and reveals the margins of the tumor that would otherwise be invisible. To simplify the interpretation of SRH images, the research team has developed artificial intelligence-based methods for diagnosing and detecting brain tumors. SRH provides neurosurgeons with a new avenue to ensure they can deliver the best possible results for their patients. You can read more about this valuable technology (click here).

We support collaboration.  In the Foundation’s NonProfit Capacity Building program, we help fund collaboration (link here) and at UM Neurosciences cooperative systems are also part of their success.  The brain is a complex system and treating tumors often requires multiple specialties.  Michigan Medicine has brought together experts from a variety of fields to both care for patients and research the causes and treatments of brain cancers (read this story about the efficacy of this approach in treating children with cancer).

Another collaborative effort that the Cook Family Brain Tumor Research Fund will support is the CNS Tissue Bank at the University of Michigan. The CNS Tissue Bank began collecting tissue under Dr. Karin Muraszko in 1993. The tissue bank was amplified in a redesign of the program in 2016 and since then, cases have increased from 380 to 1,214. Tissues and data at the CNS Tissue Bank are accessible to a multitude of departments within UM as well as outside institutions to aid in clinical trials and research. Supporting the CNS Tissue Bank will help continue to grow this digitally-accessible database of information to aid in research, diagnosis, and treatment for patients near and far.

Those of us in the State of Michigan are fortunate to have the collective expertise and knowledge of the University of Michigan in close proximity.  Tom Cook knows firsthand these benefits, and the Cook Family Foundation has made a commitment to extend this important work to others. If you would like to join this effort, you can make a donation to the Cook Family Brain Tumor Research Fund by (click here).  If you have any questions or would like to learn more about donating to Michigan Medicine, you can contact our development partner Kirsten Petriches at 734-763-5240 or [email protected]

 

Financial Aid Workshop January 8

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Applying for financial aid may be the most important task many a high school senior and their family will undertake; it may also be the most daunting. To help academically talented students sort through this process, the Cook Family Foundation is holding a workshop on Tuesday, January 8 from 7-9 p.m. at the Baker College Welcome Center in Owosso.

1978896_10152568144744232_8367881271452503021_nThe Cook Family Foundation strives to increase access to the University of Michigan for students from the Shiawassee County region. This fall, as in every year, we have been working with students to apply to the University of Michigan. We will continue to assist students with the admissions process and help them make their college decision this winter and spring. We provide a scholarship to any student from the greater Shiawassee County area admitted to the University of Michigan. We welcome questions and can provide some answers to frequently asked questions.  These are important first steps, but maximizing financial aid can open doors and increase higher education options.

At the upcoming workshop, a representative from the University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid will provide important information about qualifying for financial aid, as well as some useful tips on making college more affordable.  U-M is the only public university in Michigan to cover 100 percent of demonstrated financial need of in-state students.  The University’s Go Blue Guarantee promises four years of free tuition for families with an income of less than $65,000 and assets of less than $50,000.  Reduced tuition is available to families making up to $180,000.

While the workshop will provide particular insight to financial aid from the University of Michigan, the presentation will be applicable no matter what four-year university a student ends up attending. The first step is to complete the FAFSA, the qualifying form used by all institutions of higher learning. To be eligible for financial aid from UM, students and their families will also need to complete a CSS Profile. Both of these applications are now available; the sooner they are submitted the more quickly a student will get a financial aid offer.

Students and/or their parents are invited to attend the January 8 workshop.  While it is not necessary to RSVP, please contact us if you have questions (call us at: 989-725-1621 or email us at [email protected]). To keep up-to-date on financial aid, scholarships, and other UM information follow us on Twitter @GoBlueGoBruce