2025 Scholarship Recipient
One of 26 awarded a Community Choice scholarship for leading with purpose.
Perseverance and Purpose
At Community Choice Foundation, we recognize the power of perseverance and the deep impact of service. Among this year’s applicants, Maria Burkett from Ecorse stood out—not only for her dedication to becoming a nurse but for the heart she has poured into her journey.
Her path has been anything but easy. Starting with a GED, she spent the past five years earning her associate degree while balancing school with a full-time job as a medical assistant. Working 60 hours a week, she never let financial barriers or personal hardships stop her. Now, she is preparing for the next step—starting nursing school in the fall through an articulation program with University of MIchigan Flint, with her ultimate goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.
But Maria’s drive extends beyond career ambitions. Having once lived in shelters as a child, she has remained deeply involved with the Salvation Army, giving back to the very organization that once provided her family with support. She finds joy in uplifting children who face struggles similar to her own—teaching life skills, promoting hygiene, and creating moments of happiness through art classes, tea parties, and simple acts of kindness.
This scholarship is a validation of her years of hard work and determination, and we are honored to invest in her journey. Maria is proof that resilience, dedication, and compassion can change lives, and we know that her future impact will be felt far and wide.