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2023 Jennifer VanderStelt Memorial Scholarship

5/9/2023

Jessica Strecker

Meet Jessica Strecker, Run Muskegon’s inaugural Jennifer VanderStelt Memorial Scholarship recipient! Jessica is a non-traditional student returning to school after a nearly 20 year hiatus. She is currently enrolled part-time while she sits on both the regular and accelerated waiting lists for the Nursing program at MCC. She has always dreamed of a career in medicine, but life got in the way, and her second marriage and family took priority. She is now single and her daughter, Riley, is 24 and lives in Grand Rapids. She works full time at Torresen Marine and volunteers full-time at Muskegon Yacht Club. She is the 2nd female Commodore in MYC's history.

We asked Jessica to answer a few questions so everyone can get to know her a little better.

What High School did you/do you attend?
I attended Terre Haute South Vigo High School in Terre Haute, Indiana where I grew up. I graduated a very long time ago, in 1997.
How long have you been running? Do you participate in any other athletic events either through school or community?
I have basically been running my entire life, with a vacancy in my 20's. I ran in middle school and high school, on both Track and Cross Country teams. I continued running on my own, but didn't get back into running races until my mid 30s. I have participated in the Seaway run a few times, and I did the Octokerfest half marathon in Spring Lake several years ago. That was the longest distance I have run since high school and the longest distance that I've ever run in a race.

Other than running, I enjoy hiking, snow skiing, biking, and sailing. I race on a sailboat every Wednesday night from May through October with about 30 other boats from Muskegon Yacht Club. I usually race in some other port to port races through the summer as well, and last summer I sailed on my first Chicago to Mackinac race. The power of the wind on the sails, and the upper body strength it takes to trim sails can be immensely challenging at times.
What groups/organizations/events do you/have you volunteered with and why?
I have volunteered with the Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol as a mountain host for many years. This is where I regained my desire to finish my nursing degree. Ski patrollers go through rigorous medical training every year. I also volunteered with Girls on the Run when my daughter was young. For many years I also volunteered as a US Sailing Race Official throughout the Midwest at the youth, high school, collegiate, and adult level. I have volunteered on the Board of Directors at the Muskegon Yacht Club for the past 5 years, serving as the Commodore this year. I volunteer with these groups because they are all wonderful organizations that support sports I care deeply about. I get joy from giving back to my community and supporting other women in sports. I love seeing someone try a new sport like running, skiing or sailing. Their trials eventually turn to triumph, and when that person finally succeeds at a new sport, their smile can light up the world.
What does Jen’s motto of “just one more mile” mean to you?
Jen's motto, "Just one more mile" has great significance. To me, it means keep pushing forward no matter what. Get back up when you face-plant into the sand. God knows we all fall down, but it's in getting back up and trying again that strengthens us to our core. Sometimes, it feels impossible to go another step. But, it's the next mile that gets your endorphins and adrenaline going, keeps your feet moving, and those feel-good chemicals start rushing through your body. There's nothing else like it in the world. That's when you achieve the unthinkable. Jennifer was obviously an amazing cheerleader for herself and those around her.
What is your motivation for running?
My motivation for running has changed throughout the different seasons of my life. It's the place I go to clear my head and just breathe. It has been a place for me to pound out my aggression with each step. It has been where I find my solace and peace, despite whatever chaos might be going in my life. It's a place that feels ok to just be me. I also want to add, I also run for my health. Running helped me gain the mental clarity and strength to leave an abusive marriage and quit smoking.
What's the farthest you have run at one time?
I actually answered that in #2 above, but it was the 2015 Oktoberfest Half Marathon. There was one other time I remember running close to that same distance and that was when I was in high school. We must've done something to upset our CC coach, so he piled us all in his car and said we were going on a field trip. He dropped us across town and said run back to school. I will never forget that day and how hard that run was. We all stayed together as a team, so no one would end up running alone. We all made it back to school safely.

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2023 Run Muskegon Scholarship Recipient

5/9/2023

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Madalyn Simpson

Meet Madalyn Simpson, Run Muskegon’s Inaugural Scholarship recipient. Madalyn is 18 years old and a senior at Reeths-Puffer High School. She currently lives with her parents, Christopher and Amy Simpson.

We asked Madalyn to answer a few questions so everyone can get to know her a little better.

How long have you been running? Do you participate in any other athletic events either through school or community?
I have been running for at least 10 years. I started cross country in 6th grade and stopped in 8th grade. I have been running track since I was in 7th grade. Running has always been my sport of choice. Recently I have gotten more into shooting sports. I was the highest point shooter in my club. I compete at the county fair. Along with that I have also ridden horses for 10 years on and off.
Have you received any specific recognitions or awards in athletics?
The only award that I have received in athletics was my sophomore year. I was given the most improved award on my team.
What groups/organizations/events do you/have you volunteered with and why?
I am heavily involved in my FFA chapter. We do a lot of volunteer work in our community, especially with animal shelters. For the next year I am going to spend a big part of my time serving as Michigan’s FFA Region V State Vice President. I am a 4-H member as well. The 4-H club that I am in was awarded the Muskegon County 4-H Community Service Award last year for the amount of community service hours our club had as a whole.
What profession do you plan to pursue after high school?
I plan on pursuing a career in soil science. I want to be able to educate people on the importance of soil. I love learning everything about how the environment works. Conserving our natural resources is one of my biggest passions in life. Turning my passion into a career makes me so excited to go to college and learn more than I already know.
Run Muskegon’s mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle. How has running/athletics impacted your life?
Athletics has taught me that it is not always about winning the race. You have to fail and fail again before you see improvement. It taught me to never complain because your life can always be worse than in that moment.
How do you plan to continue a healthy lifestyle in college and beyond?
I am a huge hiker. I would love to be able to travel and backpack across the county on trails such as Isle Royale, The Appalachian Trail, and The Pacific Crest Trail. When I am in college I plan to pursue these goals during my summer vacations. I love being outside and seeing the natural world around me. Working in the outdoors and agriculture requires a good amount of physical demand. As I am working I will still be living a healthy lifestyle. Keeping myself fit is so important for my future career.
Who would you say has been the most influential person in your life to this point and why?
My old CTC principal Mr. Fiebig. He saw the potential I had to be the leader that I am now in FFA. He always encouraged me to experience and try as many things as I possibly could.

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2023 Jennifer VanderStelt Memorial Scholarship

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