Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association

MHHA Scholarship

The 2024 winners have been announced! 

Donate to the Scholarship Fund

These criteria are to be used in selecting scholarship recipients from funding established by the Michigan Harness Horsemen Association annual meeting auction, other fundraisers, and contributions made by the membership.

Criteria may include but are not limited to the following: academic performance, financial need, strong leadership skills, character, motivation, community service, and knowledge of the harness racing industry. Individual past achievements, community involvement, and other experiences are included in the essay portion of the application.

Each applicant must have knowledge of and show, and demonstrate how the racing industry has impacted his/her life. The application should describe the candidate’s connection to racing and what they have learned about Standardbred.

Recipients of scholarships must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a post-secondary educational program that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. They may be pursuing a career of their choice.

Scholarships are available to MHHA members, and dependents or immediate family members- including step-children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews- of living or deceased members that are/or have been an MHHA member for two years in good standing.

The scholarship committee consists of two board members and one horsemen of the general membership or racing official that has knowledge of the industry.

Applicants are eligible for Scholarship awards for four years, which may or may not be consecutive years earned.

All application forms and transcripts from the applicant’s high school or college must be postmarked no later the 04/15/24 and mailed to the MHHA Scholarship Fund @ 2501 Jolly Rd, Suite 110, Okemos, MI 48864. 


2024 Scholarship Winners


Winner - Tied $3,750

Drew Thacker
Michigan State University

"Drew’s volunteer work, dedication to keeping up his grades, and working three summer jobs contributed to his earning this scholarship."


Winner - Tied $3,750

Ty Goodell
Baker College

"Ty possesses the qualities of a dedicated and driven individual who will undoubtedly make significant contributions to the field of finance, harness racing and society at large.”


2nd Place $1,200

Jessica Bennett
Jackson College

"Jessica has proven to be an outstanding leader in many different situations. Not only is she accomplished and intelligent, but she has also continuously remained kind and compassionate in the company of both acquaintances and strangers."



3rd Place $800

Samantha Stanke
Michigan State University

"As a leader in agriculture, food, and natural resources, Samantha’s passion for these industries is core to who she is as a professional and a person. It is an honor to see Samantha be able to share that passion with others."


4th Place $500

Brylee Boyd
Aquinas College

"Brylee is a young woman of exceptional determination, genuine compassion, and unwavering dedication to serving others. Her outstanding qualifications, coupled with her remarkable character, make her an ideal winner for this scholarship"

Past Scholarship Winners

2023 Winner $5,000  Drew Thacker 
  Runner Up $1,875  Brylee Boyd
  Runner Up $1,875  Samuel Sarro
  Runner Up $1,000  Brett Sugg

2022

Winner $3,750 Drew Thacker
Runner Up $1,250 Robert Sarro

2021

  Duke Sugg

  Brook Sugg

  Jared Bangert

  Ty Goodall

  Beckey Zubkoff

2020

  Brook Sugg

  Duke Sugg

  Ty Goodall

Jared Bangert

2019

Winner $2,000 Jared Bangert

Runner Up $1,500 Jarrett Bateson

2018

Winner $2,000 Jared Bangert

Winner $2,000 Samantha Black

Runner Up $1,000 Leslie Shull

2017

Winner $3,000 Brooke Pfeiffer

Runner Up $2,000 Leslie Shull

2016

Winner $1,500 Leslie Shull

Runner Up $750 Brianna Kreil

Runner Up $750 Sarah Goodwin

2015

Winner $1000 Briana Kreil

Runner Up $500 Sarah Goodwin

Second Runner Up $400  Jessica Otten

2014

Winner $800 Samantha Black
  Runner Up $400 Sage DeMull

Runner Up $400 Sarah Goodwin

Runner Up $400 Margaret Parsons

2013

Winner $750 Sage DeMull

Winner $750 Mariah Wright

2012

Winner $1,250 Mariah Wright

Winner $1,250 Emily Sisco

Runner Up $500 Julie Mittlestat

2011

Winner $2,500 Mariah Wright

Runner Up $2,000 Andrew Venier

Honorable Mention $1,000 Genevieve Luce

Honorable Mention $1,000 Jaime Jackson

2010

Winner $1,500 Mariah Wright

Winner $1,500 Mathew Cavallaro

Runner-up $1,000 Jacob Mittlestat

Runner-up $1,000 Andrew Venier

Honorable Mentions $500 Christian Penn

Honorable Mentions $500 Lauren Barella

Honorable Mentions $500 Mark Webster Jr.

Honorable Mentions $500 Zachery Highers

2009

Winner $2,000 Jessie Hennessey

Runner Up $1,000 Mathew Cavallaro
Runner Up $1,000 Carrie Putnam

Honorable Mentions $500 Lauren Barella
Honorable Mentions $500 Jaime Jackson

2008

Winner $2,000 Carrie Putnam

Runner Up $1,500 Mathew Cavallaro

Second Runner Up $1,000  Lauren Barella

Second Runner Up $1,000  Megan Jones

Honorable Mention $500 Nicole Copeland

Honorable Mention $500 Michael Flis

Honorable Mention $500 Cayla Gilbert

Honorable Mention $500 Jaime Jackson

2007

Winner $1,200 Jessie Hennessey

Runner Up $1,000 Carrie Putnam

Honorable Mention $500 Mathew Cavallaro

Honorable Mention $500 Megan Jones

2006

Winner $1,200 Jessie Hennessey

Runner Up $1,000 Carrie Putnam

Runner Up $1,000 Crystal Serra

Honorable Mention $400 Megan Jones

Honorable Mention $400 Darren Taneyhill

2005

Winner $1,500 Jessie Hennessey

Runner Up $1,250 Randi Huffine

Runner Up $1,250 Crystal Serra

Honorable Mention $500 Jamie Prouse

Honorable Mention $500 Rebecca Kinney

2004

Winner $2,500 Jessie Hennessey

Runner Up $2,000 Randi Huffine

Second Runner Up $1,000  Dijohn Gonzalez

Second Runner Up $1,000  Robyn Sansam

Honorable Mention $500 Dustin Brown

Honorable Mention $200 Matther McCann

2003

Winner $2,000 Randi Huffine

Winner $2,000 Robyn Sansam

Winner $2,000 Steve Schunk

2002

Winner $2,000 Randi Huffine

Winner $2,000 Robyn Sansam

Runner Up $1,000 Dustin Brown

Runner Up $1,000 Billie Cavallaro

Runner Up $1,000 Steve Schunk

2001

Winner $2,000 Sheila Sarro

Winner $2,000 Kelly Wilson

Runner Up $1,000 Billie Cavallaro

Runner Up $1,000 Elizabeth Knoll

Runner Up $1,000 Steve Schunk

Honorable Mention $500 Brian Chapman

Honorable Mention $500 Randi Huffine

Honorable Mention $500 Kimberlee Tomlin

2000

Winner $2,000 Kelly Wilson

Runner Up $1,500 Sheila Sarro

Second Runner Up $1,000  Jason Evans

Honorable Mention $500 Billie Cavallaro

Honorable Mention $500 Steve Schunk

Honorable Mention $500 Casey Siminski

1999

Winner $1,500 Sheila Sarro

Winner $1,500 Kelly Wilson

Runner Up $1,000 Jeff Teusink

Second Runner Up $500  Billie Cavallaro

Second Runner Up $500  Tara Long

Honorable Mention $250 Boren Alexander

Honorable Mention $250 Donald Seekman

Honorable Mention $250 Sharon Thurlow

1998

Winner $1,000 Peter Manina

Winner $1,000 Liane Shields

Honorable Mention $300 Nicole Mayes

Honorable Mention $300 Sheila Sarro

Honorable Mention $300 Kelly Wilson

1997

Winner $1,500 Rachel Cotton

Runner Up $600 Bryan Wilson

Runner Up $600 Nicole Mayes

Honorable Mention $300 Sheila Smith

Honorable Mention $300 Tracey Smith

1996

Winner $1,200 Rachel Cotton

Runner Up $750 Jason Evans

Honorable Mention $300 Sheila Smith

Honorable Mention $200 Tracey Smith

1995

Winner $1,200 Rachel Cotton

Runner Up $1,000 Jason Evans

Honorable Mention $500 Mike Cauzillo

Honorable Mention $500 Novia Gonzalez

Honorable Mention $500 Sheila Smith

1994

Winner $1,000 Mike Cauzillo

Winner $1,000 Rachel Cotton

Runner Up $500 Novia Gonzalez

Runner Up $500 Brenda Thurlow

1993

Winner $1,000 Mike Cauzillo

Winner $1,000 Rachel Cotton

Winner $1,000 Jason Evans

Runner Up $500 Brandy Edmonds

Runner Up $500 Scott Mayes

Honorable Mention $100 Greg Bondarenko

Honorable Mention $100 Julie Carlisi

Honorable Mention $100 Brian Gardner

1992

Winner $1,000 Kimberly Kelly

Winner $1,000 Keri Sieloff

Honorable Mention $100 Julie Carlisi

Contact

MHHA
2501 Jolly Rd. Suite 110
Okemos, MI 48864

Phone: (517) 349-2920

Email: info@mhha.com

Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30AM - 5PM

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