MSCI awards $5,875 in grants and scholarships

Above: Henry Ford II High School theatre, one of the programs MSCI supported.

Every year the MSCI awards grants and scholarships to high school and college students to further our mission of supporting speech activities in the state of Michigan. Last year the MSCI awarded $5,875 in grants and scholarships. Our grant recipients included: MIFA $3,000, along with the Detroit Urban Debate League, $500 to support programs and trophies. Scholarships included a $375 scholarship for a student from Groves High School to continue their education in speech activities by attending summer debate camps, and Katarina Moore, $1000, to further her college education toward becoming a teacher and coach of speech activities. In addition, $1000 of support was given to the Henry Ford II Theatre Department.

A note from Henry Ford II

To whom it may concern,

My name is Fernanda Hernandez. I am a senior at Henry Ford II High School. Recently, our theatre director, Kirstin Carolin, told us about your gracious grant to help out our theatre department. I wanted to personally thank everyone at this organization for being so kind.

As a senior who has participated in MIFA and MSCI activities since I was a freshman, I can’t even begin to describe how thankful I was to hear about your donation. Your grant has helped our theatre department immensely. It helped pay our MIFA theatre dues, and it also helped pay for components of our production of Peter and the Starcatcher. Last school year, we lost our spring musical during tech week, and it was really crushing. The spring musical is usually our money-maker, so from the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely appreciate your kindness.

Thank you for continuing to support the arts who really need it. It’s an inspiration for all of us. Thank you for your contributions!

Sincerely,
Fernanda Hernandez and Henry Ford II Troupe 6785

Originally published in the MSCI Year in Review, May 2021.