Saginaw Community Foundation joined regional partners on Jan. 22 at Saginaw Valley State University for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Celebration – an evening dedicated to honoring student leadership, service, and community impact across the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Fifteen students from Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties were recognized for living out Dr. King’s values of service, equity, and leadership. Each student received a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of their character, commitment, and dedication to strengthening their communities.
2026 MLK Scholarship Recipients from Saginaw County are Amaria Tarver, Saginaw United High School; Tierra Pringle, Saginaw United High School; A’Myah Perkins, Frankemuth High School; Ahn Ya La Eichelberger, Saginaw United High School; and Michaela Witgen, Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy.
The event also honored community members whose behind-the-scenes service has made a lasting difference. Recipients of the 2026 Drum Major Award for Community Service included Nicole Luczak (Bay County), Jennifer Vannette (Midland County), and Jack and Janet Nash (Saginaw County). The award recognizes individuals who exemplify humility, justice, and community responsibility. Read the story.
The evening featured keynote speaker Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall, nationally recognized author and leader, who shared a message of resilience and purpose – encouraging students and attendees alike to turn personal challenges into opportunities to serve others.
As part of the MLK Regional Scholarship Program, students complete an annual service project. Inspired by Marshall’s book, You Have Been Chosen, this year’s scholars assembled care packages for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. Each package included comfort items such as warm socks and gloves, recipe cards, and handwritten notes of encouragement.
Saginaw Community Foundation coordinated distribution of the care packages to local recipients, including Covenant Healthcare, MyMichigan Health (Saginaw), and United Cancer Alliance – extending the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy through tangible acts of compassion.
Established in 2005 through a partnership between local NAACP chapters and regional community foundations, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Scholarship Program continues to uplift student leaders while addressing real needs within our community. The program expanded in 2010 to include Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University, strengthening its reach and regional impact.
2026 Saginaw County MLK Regional Celebration Scholarship Recipients (left to right): Amaria Tarver, Saginaw United High School; Tierra Pringle, Saginaw United High School; A’Myah Perkins, Frankemuth High School; Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall; Ahn Ya La Eichelberger, Saginaw United High School; and Michaela Witgen, Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy
Students receiving regional MLK Scholarships participated in a giving back outreach project to assemble care packages that will be distributed by Covenant Healthcare, MyMichigan Health (Saginaw), and United Cancer Alliance to individuals receiving treatment for cancer. Each package included fuzzy socks, gloves, straws, Rick Smith’s bean soup recipe cards, and handwritten notes of encouragement from the students.
Pictured, left to right, Chamika Ford, Program Officer, Saginaw Community Foundation; Hurley Coleman, III, Executive Director, Saginaw County CAC; James Lloyd, United Cancer Alliance; Adam Tompa, Vice President of Clinical Service Lines, Covenant HealthCare; Dr. Mamie Thorns, Chief Diversity Officer, SVSU; Reneé Johnston, President & CEO, Saginaw Community Foundation.