A Livingston County teen was among several Michigan high school students to receive a college scholarship award for their commitment to community.
17-year-old Abby Thomas of Fowlerville, along with Shlok Patel of Rockwood, and Sanya Gupta of Rochester Hills, received $5,000 scholarships last week from Community Choice Credit Union for their contributions during the pandemic.
Thomas was a high school sophomore when the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown kept her from adequately completing her driver’s education training. With so few cars on the road, and few places to go, Thomas had to find a way to get in the required number of hours on the road.
She solved that dilemma by volunteering at The Torch, the nonprofit organization in Fowlerville that provides food to people in need, making deliveries with her mother around the Livingston County area.
Thomas, a Fowlerville High School senior who plans to study criminal justice at Spring Arbor University, said that being able to drive on freeways and back roads gaining the necessary driving experience, while simultaneously helping those in need, was a perfect solution.
Rhonda Callahan, co-founder of The Torch, told GIGO News that the service Abby and her mother provided them made a real difference in such a tough time.
“I was impressed with Abby’s willingness, at 15 years old, to help with whatever we needed.,” said Callahan.
