Agold minein ourbackyard
New Michigan Achievement Scholarship is the latest way families can cut college costs by choosing NMC
Upcoming high school graduates got an early gift from the state of Michigan last fall: the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.Created by bipartisan legislation, the Achievement Scholarship makes 2023 graduates eligible for annual scholarships in amounts up to:•$2,750at a Michigan community college, renewable for up to three years•$4,000at a Michigan private college or university, renewable for up to five years• $5,500at a Michigan public university, renewable for up to five yearsA diploma and demonstration of financial need on the FAFSA are the only requirements. NMC’s Office of Financial Aid estimates up to 200 area high school graduates could qualify, and NMC could award between $300,000–$400,000 in Michigan Achievement scholarships.The community college scholarship would cover about half of NMC’s tuition for one year, said Vicki Beam, owner of Michigan College Planning in Traverse City.“By cutting the cost in half, essentially, they would not have to take as much out in a student loan,” Beam said. “It’s being generous, in a lot of ways.”The scholarship aims to push Michigan closer to achieving its Sixty by 30 goal of 60% of adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030.Traverse City Central High School counselor Kim Fleming expects the scholarship to both relieve and reassure students about taking on the cost of higher education. “The financial need of our students has increased over the past few years. I think the new Michigan Achievement Scholarship will help the senior class of 2023 be more confident about their decision to seek a post-secondary credential,” she said.“We are thrilled to offer high school graduates this opportunity, on top of the more than $1 million in donor-created scholarships NMC already offers,” said NMC President Nick Nissley.Early College & dual enrollment
High school students can also reduce college costs through two long standing programs: Early College and dual enrollment. For Early College, students take NMC classes during high school and attend for one year after graduation to earn an associate degree. For dual enrollment, they take NMC classes of their choice during high school which can then transfer toward a degree at another college or university. Tuition for both programs is paid by the local school district, not students.“They can be leaving high schools with a pretty good chunk of credit under their belt,” Beam said. “We have a gold mine in our backyard.”Michigan Reconnect
For those past high school, NMC also participates in Michigan Reconnect, a state scholarship that offers free in-district tuition (Grand Traverse County residents) to adults 25 and over who do not already have a college degree or certificate. Total NMC Reconnect participation stands at 400 students who have received $562,804.NMC economic impact data shows that people with an associate degree earn $8,500 more per year than someone with only a high school diploma.“With Michigan Reconnect and now Michigan Achievement, there’s never been a better time to improve your earning potential through higher education,” Nissley said. N- ART CULTURE
PUBLIC ART ON THE TART
‘Boardman Serenade’ mural graces new trail
NMC INSTRUCTORS RUFUS SNODDY, LEFT, GLENN WOLFF AND STUDENT LOGAN HUDSON WORK ON THE MURAL IN AUGUST.BOARDMANLake Trail users are engaged aesthetically as well as physically with the mural by NMC Fine Arts instructors Rufus Snoddy and Glenn Wolff and students Logan Hudson and Kiah Anderson (not pictured). Located on the trail’s east side, the 14-x-30-foot mural north of the University Center is one of three pieces of public art on the Traverse City loop. It opened last July to throngs of users—more than 1,100 per weekday and up to 1,700 on weekends. Wolff said the mural offered an experiential learning opportunity to the art students. NHUDSON PAINTS THE LOON.SNODDY, WOLFF AND MARY BEVANS GILLETT OF THE NORTHWEST MICHIGAN ARTS & CULTURE NETWORK, WHICH COMMISSIONED THE MURAL. - FROM OUR KITCHENS
MERLYN’S PATISSERIE
Culinary alumni siblings fuse French and Filipino flavors at Farmers Market
Anna Mae (Dupra) Kucharski (left)☑NMC accounting associate degree, 2007
☑ Attended GLCI 2008-2010Before Merlyn’s:
Stella, Red Ginger, Grand Traverse Resort, Nine Bean RowsJun Dupra (right)☑NMC general associate degree, 2009
☑ NMC Culinary Arts degree, 2014Before Merlyn’s: Red Ginger (sushi chef), Stella, Wolfgang Puck’s Spago-Beverly Hills, Trump International Hotel & Tower-Chicago, Grand Traverse ResortGROWING UP IN MANILA, Anna Mae Kucharski loved to cook. But due to the tropical climate in the Philippines, stoves didn’t have ovens. When she entered the baking kitchen at the Great Lakes Culinary Institute (GLCI), she knew she’d discovered her culinary calling.“I had never baked in my life. That was just it,” says Kucharski, who studied accounting until that fateful introduction to Baking class.Kucharski, 38, and her brother Jun Dupra, 35, now fuse French and southeast-Asian flavors with their business, Merlyn’s Patisserie. Named for their mother, Merlyn’s debuted at the Traverse City Farmer’s Market last May, selling out their inventory of 800 croissants and “cruffins” to devotedly enthusiastic customers every Saturday. The most popular flavor: Ube, which comes from a purple, yam-like vegetable.CHOCOLATE GLAZE
24 g Gelatin sheet200 g Water340 g Sugar150 g Valrhona cocoa powder180 ml Heavy creamSoak the sheet gelatin in water to soften.
Bring everything else to a boil and stir in gelatin to dissolve. Set aside to cool.FIND MERLYN'S GLUTEN-FREE RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE ON THE DESSERT MENU AT RED GINGER IN DOWNTOWN TRAVERSE CITY.RASPBERRY GELEE
255 g Raspberry puree112 g Water224 g Sugarpinch of Salt21 g Cornstarch10 g Gelatin sheetSoak the sheet gelatin in water to soften. set aside. Mix raspberry puree, water, sugar, and salt and bring to a boil. Mix cornstarch and water and add to pot. Mix and cook out the starch. Add the bloomed gelatin to hot mixture and stir until dissolved. Strain to a container and let cool.“We wanted to put our roots in it,” says Dupra, who says his sister inspired him to enroll in GLCI after he initially chose visual communications.Merlyn’s confections are crafted in rented commercial kitchen space three days a week. For the winter, they’re at Traverse City’s indoor farmer’s market Saturdays at the Grand Traverse Commons. On social media, find them on Instagram and Facebook. “More surprises” are in store for their second year; eventually they aspire to a brick-and-mortar location.“It’s just going to get better,” Dupra promises.