Scholarships

LACS Scholarship Recipients

1997 Courtney Ludema
1998 Kristen Kennedy
2000 Scott Hostetler
2002 Laura Poortenga
2003 Justin Goodemoot
2005 Margaret Van Siclen
2007 Lindsey Hemming
2011 Chelsea Van’t Land
2012 Megan Morse
2013 Linda Burns
2015 Natalie Anderson
2017 Claira Hays
2019 Thomas Larner
2020 Haley Bovee
2021 Nicole Lanser
2022 Conner Lindsey
2024 Alyssa Bursch

The Lakewood Area Choral Society Scholarship is available to any Lakewood High School senior, a senior who has participated in a combined LACS concert, or a senior from an adjoining school district who is sponsored by an active choral society member. The applicant upon graduation will pursue a major in vocal music education or voice at a four year, accredited institution.

Applicant(s) will be judged on the following criteria: academic achievement, attendance, achievement and ability in vocal music, involvement in music related extra-curricular activities (school, community, church, etc.), financial need, personal interview, and 2 letters of recommendation, (one letter must be from your choral conductor). A monetary amount up to $1000.00 may be awarded.

Applications can be submitted electronically or printed and mailed by Wednesday, April 17, 2024 for consideration. Applicants will be contacted by a Scholarship Committee Member.

Our 2024 Scholarship winner for the Lakewood Area Choral Society is Alyssa Bursch from Caledonia High School. Alyssa studied under the direction of Mrs. Kara Stevens, and she is pursuing a career in Vocal Music Education and Theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. Alyssa is an outstanding musician in so many ways! She sings, plays the piano and the harp. She was involved in every possible way in Caledonia in various choirs, musicals, theatre, solo and ensemble festivals, a cappella ensembles, and the Chamber singers which is Caledonia’s highest auditioned choir consisting of 8 singers. Alyssa takes private voice lessons, harp lessons, and is the harpist for the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony, and she has received top scores in Regional and State Solo and Ensemble festivals.

Outside of music activities, Alyssa was part of the National Honor Society with a GPA of 4.25, was instrumental in restarting the Caledonia Students for Life club where she served as president, and was a volunteer at the Holy Family Catholic Church where she helped with the middle school Faith Formation classes. Alyssa sings, plays the piano and harp for masses, frequently altar serves, and trains new altar servers.

Alyssa’s recommendations were outstanding! Her choir director stated that she manages all of her commitments with energy, consistency, and excellence. Besides being one of the most talented singers she has ever worked with, her director said that she has mastered the art of time management and any school would be fortunate to have her as part of their program. Her current voice teacher also sings her praises! He says that she is musically gifted, but what sets her apart from others is her profound depth of knowledge of music theory, sight-singing, and her instrumental background.

Alyssa’s ultimate goal is to become a high school choir director, where she will be able to continue to contribute musically to the community by inspiring and teaching others the joy of music. We have no doubt that this is exactly what she will be doing!

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