James W. Franklin Scholarship
2008-2009 Award Winner
Lauren Maslyk

As presented by Ellison Franklin, President, May 19, 2009:

"Life does not come with a guarantee. Some, like those of you being recognized tonight, work hard and are rewarded with honors, accolades, and prestige, while other find the result of their efforts to be failure, disappointment, and loss. Our current economic cirsis validates this point of view when literally thousands of hard-working, dedicated, and responsible people find themslves unemployed because of circumstances far beyond them.

In spite of our best intentions and efforts, we cannot always control the outcome, but we can control our response to events unfolding in our lives. When tragedy consumed the family of Jim Franklin, his children and I decided to respond to our loss by creating a scholarship in his name to benefit those who have worked hard as scholars and swimmers.

The recipient of this year's James W. Franklin Scholarship has been a varsity swimmer and team manager, a student counsel representative, an Honor Society member, and a member of the symphony band. Tthe recipient is recognized by others for a strong sense of personal responsibility and her extensive volunteer work. She is graduating with a 4.023 grade point average and plans to attend Hope College and then go on to medical school.

The Board of the James W. Franklin Scholarship enthusiastically presents the 2009 award of $2,000.00 to Lauren Maslyk."