Sydney Yeomans completed a four-year bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky “debt-free” thanks in part to four Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund scholarships.
Now the 22-year-old Cedar woman and 2020 Glen Lake graduate is one her way to the University of Michigan to work on her master’s degree with additional financial support from the Fleis family.
Yeomans was chosen again last month as one of the 75 Fleis Education scholarship winners. She will receive $1,200 this fall in the Bridge Master’s of Applied Statistics program. The program will set her up for PhD studies in statistics with the hope of becoming a college professor in the future.
“The Fleis Education scholarships have meant a lot of me, and my family,” said Yeomans, whose brother Zack also received one of the Fleis scholarships. “For the most part, I was able to go debtfree thanks to the Fleis scholarship and others I received.
“I owe a huge thank you to the Fleis family.”
The Fleis family, with deep roots in Leelanau County, awarded $90,000 in scholarships last month to Leelanau County students or those with Leelanau lineage to continue their education either a via college/university degree, trade/vocational certificate, or diploma. To date, over $757,200 has been distributed to 427 students since 2006. Scholarships funds are raised through donations, a golf outing, and an online auction.
Sydney Yeomans just graduated summa cum laude from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and Bachelor of Science in economics. In addition to her rigorous coursework, she participated in research in both the math and economic departments, was the Math Club president and vice president of Relations for the Economics Society.
She also graded for a math class and tutored for introductory economics classes.
Before returning to the classroom this fall, Yeomans plans to volunteer again at the Fleis Education Golf Outing, Saturday, Aug. 3 at Sugar Loaf the Old Course.
“I think it’s great and super helpful what the Fleis family has done for Leelanau County students and volunteering to help at their golf fundraiser is one way I’ve been able to give back to the Fleis family,” Yeomans added.
Other winners this year, and attending schools, include Jamie Steup, Georgia Southern University (in memory of Rita and Jim Cwengros); Haley Cohen, American College of Healthcare Sciences; Kariesue Taghon and Nicholas Dashner, Aquinas College; Elizabeth Evich, Miriam Hahnenberg and Della Bunek, Ave Maria University.
Winners also include Hannah Hiester, Benedictine College; Esme Durbin, Boston College; Madison Damer, Bryant University; Naomi Elenbaas, Calvin University; Hanna Cook, Capella University; Aaron Lingaur, Emma Korson and McKenzie Watkoski, Central Michigan University; Madeline Pease, Chattahoochee Technical College; Jenna Gale, Coastal Carolina University; Camilla Foglesong, Columbia University; and Katherine Hahnenberg, Cornell University.
Other winners include Isaac Hahnenberg, Eastern Michigan University; Hayden Holcomb, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; Lily Noonan, Ferris State University; Brielle Fitzpatrick, Franklin Pierce University; Drew Peterson, Kira Vasquez, Adrienne Stallman, Emily Albu, Lillian Pattok, Nathaniel Galla, Micah Reed, Zoe Korson, Caitlyn Sienkiewicz, Ella Metcalf, and Sophia Hybels, Grand Valley State University.
Winners include Sarah Bunek, Hillsdale College; Abigail Wilson, Hope College; Tessa Steup, Indiana University; Kayla Korson, Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University; Abigail Pease, Kennesaw State University; Mayzie Dingman, Althea Bardenhagen, Keira Greene, William Jacob Schaub, Lauren Lint, Ivy Schut, Isaiah and Elijah Darling, Michigan State University.
Other winners include Tyler Buchholz, Michigan Technological University; Charlotte Sutherland, North Carolina State University; Leah Fleis, North Central Michigan College; Bastian Sanborn, Northern Michigan University; Elena Grant, Eliza Bardenhagen, Madison Groves, Emma Herrington, Ella Flores, Daniel Lint and Hannah Dashner, Northwestern Michigan College; Christopher Apuzzo, Rowan University; Cecelia Schaub, Savannah College of Art and Design; Natalie Pease, Southern New Hampshire University; and Nathan Mustard, Spring Arbor University.
Winners also include Simeon Popa, Taylor University; Christina Evich, Thomas Aquinas College; Casey Hintz, University of Arizona; Russell Campbell, University of Illinois at Chicago; Clara Hund and Gretel Foglesong, University of Michigan; Mark Steck, University of St. Thomas; Megan Hahnenberg, Washington University in St. Louis; and Megan Wilson, Isabela Gave and Jesse Cwengros, Western Michigan University.
For further information on the scholarship program or fundraising activities, go to: www. fleiseducationfund.org
