Academic focus earns Stevenson grad four scholarships

A commitment to academic success has paid off for Stevenson High School valedictorian Lauren DeSantis.

DeSantis will begin studying biochemistry this fall at the University of Michigan after earning $4,300 in scholarships, including:

• A $1,800 scholarship from the Michigan Education Association
• A $1,000 Richard J. Spence Scholarship from Extra Credit Union
• A $500 MHOEA Michigan Health Occupation Educators Association Scholarship
• A $1,000 award from 2015 Stevenson Retired Teacher Scholarship

At Stevenson High School, DeSantis was the president of the Key Club, a National Honor Society officer and Spanish Club co-president. She also volunteers at the Michigan Humane Society and offers her services to many community projects.

In addition to being one of the school’s valedictorians, DeSantis was an UCS AP Scholar and Academic Scholar and has earned the Spanish Honor Society Award, National Honor Society Award, Presidential Award for Educational Excellence, Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s First Place Academic Spread in the Ambassador Yearbook and the National Quill and Scroll Caption Writing Award.

Based on a personal experience in her junior year, DeSantis plans to become a radiologist so that she can diagnose and treat diseases.