HOUGHTON LAKE – The Northern Center in Houghton Lake came alive with celebration as the Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) hosted its annual Scholarship Awards Dinner—an evening filled with generosity, pride, and academic achievement.
From the moment guests arrived May 15, the event reflected care and intention, down to the floral centerpieces by Roscommon Floral & Growing Up Greenhouse.
This year, RCCF recognized 45 students from Houghton Lake High School, Roscommon High School, and Charlton Heston Academy, awarding 96 scholarships totaling $241,145. These recipients are already pursuing degrees and building their futures, backed by a network of donors, parents, mentors, and volunteers.
RCCF Executive Director Suzanne Luck opened the evening with a message reflecting on the foundation’s journey—from awarding just $10,000 in scholarships in its early years to nearly a quarter-million dollars today.
“This isn’t just a dinner,” Luck shared during her remarks, “It’s a celebration of hope, of hard work, and of the incredible things that happen when a community comes together to invest in its future.”
The event also marked the debut of four new scholarships, established by the Akin, Niekamp, and Bertl families, as well as the Roscommon and Houghton Lake Lions Clubs.
The Northern Center’s catering and ambiance set the stage, while the behind-the-scenes work of Luck, Business Manager Cassandra Freeman, Development Manager Heather Marra, and the RCCF Board ensured the evening’s success.
Some of the most moving moments were unspoken—students quietly thanking donors, parents brimming with pride, and community members realizing the ripple effect of their support.
