Beaver Island Lighthouse School 10-10-10 Scholarship Fund

A visit to the Beaver Island Lighthouse School inspired Beth Urech and Mark Gillingham to create a scholarship fund for students at the school. They named it the 10-10-10 Scholarship Fund to celebrate the date of their marriage, and encouraged wedding guests to contribute to the fund instead of giving them gifts.

The first recipient of the award was Katie Dougherty, a 2010 graduate and class valedictorian. Dougherty, originally a Central Lake resident, dropped out of Elk Rapids High School during her senior year. However, she excelled in the Beaver Island Lighthouse School program, academically and socially, earning "A"s on her report card and working as a writer for the school newspaper. Her future plans include attending Northwestern Michigan College in the fall of 2011 as a step toward her career goal in forensic science.

While the scholarship fund was originally set up to accept donations from Urech and Gillinghams's wedding guests, it is now open to anyone who would like to make a contribution. To make donations to the 10-10-10 Scholarship Fund, call Beth Urech and Mark Gillingham at 312-913-9071 or visit their website http://101010scholarship.info/; or contact Janie McNabb, Northwest Michigan Works Chief Operating Officer, at 231-929-5058.