FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas — Fort Leavenworth Frontier Heritage Communities recognized 31 residents being awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships from The Michaels Educational Foundation during a luncheon in the students’ honor July 23, 2025, at the Frontier Conference Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
“Today, we come together not just for a meal, but to celebrate ambition, perseverance and the power of education to transform lives,” said FLFHC Marketing Coordinator Hannah Adams.
Scholarships awarded by The Michaels Educational Foundation are open to residents living in communities managed by The Michaels Organization, which is the privatized housing company that oversees FLFHC.
“Each of the students we’re recognizing has their own journey, filled with challenges faced, milestones achieved and dreams pursued. Some of you are fresh out of high school, stepping bravely into the next chapter. Others are continuing your college careers, balancing academics with jobs, family or even military life. And every single one of you is here because you chose not to give up. You kept going when it would have been easier to quit.” Adams said. “You believed in yourselves — and that belief brought you here.”
Adams said this year, $2.4 million has been awarded to 282 students living in Michaels communities. Since 1991 when the program began, Michaels has awarded more than $19 million in scholarships.
“What makes this program so unique is the heart behind it. Every dollar awarded comes from voluntary contributions — from donors, corporate partners and individual supporters,” Adams said. “And those dollars are matched two-to-one by The Michaels Organization’s founder, Michael Levitt, and his wife, Pat. That level of generosity reflects what this organization is all about — not just building houses, but lifting lives and creating opportunities.”
Adams said the scholarships are backed by the belief that education is transformative, and that the students are building futures — for themselves, their families, their communities, and the people who will be inspired by their example.
“Let’s set aside the numbers for a moment, because what we’re really talking about here isn’t just dollars and cents. It’s impact. It’s opportunity. It’s lives being changed — generations being changed,” she said. “Think about what education does. It gives people the tools to chase their dreams, yes, but it also builds confidence. It cultivates curiosity. It teaches resilience and resourcefulness. It creates ripple effects far beyond the classroom — strengthening families, lifting communities, inspiring younger students to see what’s possible.”
Adams told the scholarship recipients that the monetary awards are more than financial support — they are a vote of confidence in the scholars and their futures.
“You’ve already proven what you’re capable of achieving. Today we honor your accomplishments, but also your courage to keep moving forward even when the path wasn’t clear.”
Scholarship recipients present for the luncheon were each recognized with a certificate and personalized gift related to their chosen fields. Absent recipients were also recognized, with their photos and brief biographies projected on a screen and read aloud by Adams.
“Behind every scholarship is a student who believed in their potential and worked tirelessly to achieve it,” Adams said. “To our scholars: your accomplishments are not defined solely by your GPA or the degree you’re pursuing. They’re defined by the resilience you’ve shown, the challenges you’ve overcome, the late nights, the sacrifices, the persistence.”
Scholarship recipient Hannah Gilman said her experiences in Australia, Indonesia and Nepal from October 2024 to March 2025 with a nondenominational youth mission organization opened her heart to ways she can help others through her career choice of exercise science.
“Going overseas was an experience that broadened my worldview. Being able to see children that loved sports and loved being out in the community just really opened up my heart to how can I bring more opportunity to these kids, how can they experience what I get to experience all the time — going to games and having equipment and all these things,” Gilman said. “Being a military brat has shown me perseverance and determination. Even though it’s very hard to live in a third-world country, I was able to keep my head in the game and focus on what was important to me, because I’d grown up knowing that hard work is all we do.”
Scholarship recipient Marlie Fanning said her experiences with the Special Olympics influenced her to pursue a degree in occupational therapy.
“I started volunteering with Special Olympics when I was in fourth grade. I went to their track meets, and that really inspired my desire to work with special needs kids. Originally, I wanted to work in a special education field in a self-contained classroom, but then I found out about occupational therapy, and that’s a degree that I can work with children with special needs and children in general,” Fanning said.
Fanning said living in the military community has allowed her to meet all kinds of different people.
“I’ve been able to appreciate different backgrounds, and I feel like that has made me approach people with open eyes and open heart, which is what I can apply in occupational therapy.”
For information on applying for next year’s scholarships, visit http://michaelsscholars.com/michaels-student-living-scholarship/.
Scholarship recipient biographies provided by Fort Leavenworth Frontier Heritage Communities
Thirty-one scholars, living in Fort Leavenworth Frontier Heritage Community housing on Fort Leavenworth, were awarded $303,500 by The Michaels Educational Foundation in 2025.
Isabella Babich
Starting her junior year this fall, Isabella is majoring in filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Her goal of becoming a filmmaker — specifically focusing on documentary work — was solidified after creating her second-year thesis documentary, “While They Are Gone.” As she continues her studies, Isabella plans to keep refining her craft and developing her voice as a documentary filmmaker.
Ava Cox
Ava is currently attending Kansas State University, majoring in integrative human sciences on the pre-nursing track. Having gravitated toward caregiving roles throughout her life, Ava knew early on that nursing was the right path. She aspires to become a cosmetic nurse and work alongside a plastic surgeon. Driven by a strong desire to care for others, Ava is committed to becoming the best nurse possible for her future patients.
Cayden Crabtree
With a strong passion for wildlife, Cayden chose to major in environmental science. His ultimate goal is to become a game warden in Florida, combining his love of fishing with a commitment to wildlife conservation. This fall, Cayden will attend Highland Community College, where he will also compete as a member of the track team.
Samantha Dales
Samantha recently completed her sophomore year at Iowa State University, where she is majoring in cyber security engineering with minors in military science and applied mathematics. As a dedicated member of the Army ROTC program, Samantha is preparing for a future in military service. After graduation, she plans to commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Leilani Equite
After beginning her freshman year at Kansas State University, Leilani discovered a passion for teaching biology. Now majoring in biology secondary education, she hopes to inspire and guide students while helping prepare them for the future.
Marlie Fanning
Marlie will begin her freshman year at the University of Georgia, majoring in psychology with the goal of becoming an occupational therapist. Her passion for this career was sparked by volunteering with the Special Olympics — an experience that deepened her interest in helping others. Marlie plans to continue volunteering with this impactful program while gaining hands-on experience in the field of occupational therapy.
Hannah Gilman
After a six-month mission trip to Australia, Indonesia and Nepal, Hannah experienced a transformative shift in perspective. Inspired by what she saw and learned, she decided to major in exercise science with the goal of bringing movement and physical wellness to underserved communities. Hannah will be earning her degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College. After graduating, she plans to partner with an international sports mission organization and pursue long-term missionary work.
Lara Herken
Lara will be starting her freshman year at Park University, majoring in English professional writing. Her goal is to work for a publishing house, helping writers edit and revise their work. To build her skills, Lara plans to join a student-run program such as a newspaper or online journal and hopes to secure an internship with a publishing company.
Jennifer Honorato
Since she was 10 years old, Jennifer has wanted to pursue a career in the health field. Witnessing a loved one receive compassionate, high-quality care from a healthcare team solidified her desire to become a doctor. Jennifer recently finished her freshman year at Kansas State University, majoring in public health. She is also a member of the honors program and serve as a teaching assistant for anatomy and physiology.
Juniper Huggard
Juniper will be starting her junior year at Kansas State University this fall, majoring in criminal justice. Her goal is to become a military police officer and eventually transition to a career as a criminal investigative agent.
Emily Kieser
Emily is attending Barton County Community College studying international business and finance. She aspires to become a business advisor for companies overseas. Having lived abroad for five years, Emily developed a deep appreciation for different countries and cultures — an experience that will greatly support her future career.
Lilian King
Entering her freshman year at Arizona State University, Lilian will be studying business entrepreneurship and supply chain management with a minor in sustainability. She plans to build, experiment with and challenge conventional business models while creating her own enterprise. Lilian is determined to promote a healthier way of life for the planet through her work.
Riley King
Riley will be starting his senior year at Western Washington University, pursuing a degree in data science with a minor in mathematics.
Alianah Lands
Alianah will begin her senior year at the University of Kansas this fall. Majoring in business analytics, she plans to pursue a career as an actuary after graduation.
Kausten Pankratz
Kausten will be starting his freshman year at Johnson County Community College, planning to major in cybersecurity and computer science. After earning his associate degree at JCCC, he intends to transfer into the cybersecurity program at Wichita State University. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Kausten hopes to work as a cybersecurity expert for the Department of Defense.
Brandon Pavlichko
With a strong interest in innovation and technical ideas, Brandon has chosen to major in mechanical engineering. He will continue his studies at Iowa State University. Brandon is also a member of the Army Reserves and ROTC, with plans to become an officer while pursuing a career as a mechanical engineer in the private sector.
Danielle Pendleton
Danielle has a strong passion for advocacy and justice, which inspired her choice to major in pre-law. She will be attending the University of Kansas this fall and plans to attend law school after graduating, with the ultimate goal of becoming a prosecuting attorney. Danielle has also been accepted into the KU Legal Education Accelerated Degree (LEAD) program, where she will practice mock trials and gain valuable courtroom experience.
Clara Pitkin
Clara will be starting her sophomore year at Kansas State University this fall. She is majoring in social services and nursing, with a minor in psychology of gender, women and sexuality studies. Clara’s ultimate goal is to become a nurse midwife, providing compassionate, patient-centered care.
Alexander Rieper
Alexander plans to attend Kansas State University, where he will major in sports medicine. After graduating, he hopes to continue his studies by earning a master’s degree in medical rehabilitation. His interest in the medical field stems from the support and care he has personally received from healthcare professionals.
Hannah Rosenstrauch
Hannah is majoring in visualization with a minor in statistics at Texas A&M University. She plans to pursue a career in data visualization, a field that combines her interests in both art and math.
Isabella Showalter
Isabella is attending the University of Kansas and will begin her senior year this fall. She is studying secondary education with a focus on history and government. Isabella plans to teach in Kansas for three years to gain experience before teaching abroad. She also aims to earn a certificate in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and ultimately teach at a Department of Defense Education Activity school.
Annabella Shumaker
Annabella has decided to major in environmental science because of her love for nature and animals. She attends Kansas State University and hopes to pursue a career in field research or lab work after graduating. Whatever path she takes, Annabella is determined to do something she loves.
Joseph Stuewe
Starting his junior year this fall at Cleveland State University, Joseph is majoring in health science. After graduation, he plans to join Cleveland State’s physical therapy program. Joseph is excited to pursue this goal and looks forward to the opportunity to work with veterans and military personnel.
Emma Thompson
Emma is majoring in English at Johnson County Community College where she will earn her associate degree. She then plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in sociology. Emma chose this path because it encourages critical and objective thinking, which will positively impact her writing. Her career goal is to work in the publishing industry.
Sarah Troyn
With her mind set on becoming a director and producer, Sarah is working toward earning her bachelor’s degree. She is attending Kansas State University, majoring in arts in theatre, and already holds an associate degree along with a film studies certification. Sarah is ready to embark on this journey — one frame at a time.
Katie Ward
Katie is continuing her education at Truman State University, majoring in psychology with a minor in education. She already holds a certification in elementary special education. This combination of major and certification will help Katie achieve her career goals.
Madelyn Ward
Always passionate about jewelry, Madelyn aspires to become a graduate jeweler. Attending the New Approach School for Jewelers, she is specializing in jewelry restoration. Fascinated by the creativity and beauty of antique pieces, Madelyn is driven by the opportunity to restore and breathe new life into jewelry, motivating her to continue pursuing this career path.
Sarah Ward
Sarah will be starting her sophomore year this fall at the University of Oklahoma, where she is studying energy management. She hopes to obtain an internship in a related field to gain hands-on experience and deepen her understanding of energy management.
Isabel Williams
Isabel is attending Michigan Technological University, majoring in applied physics. Her experience on the high school robotics team inspired her to pursue this path. With a strong interest in problem-solving and building, Isabel is excited to continue working toward her career goals.
Meisha Wilson
Already holding an associate degree in liberal arts, Meisha is working toward a bachelor’s degree at Purdue Global University. Following in her parents’ footsteps, Meisha is majoring in criminal justice with a minor in crime scene investigation. After graduating, Meisha plans to become a criminal investigations agent with the U.S. Army.
Maurice Wise
Maurice is attending Kansas City Kansas Community College, majoring in cybersecurity. With a strong interest in technology and a desire to be part of the solution, Maurice believes cybersecurity is the right path for him. He is determined to work hard and achieve his goals.
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