HILLSDALE—

Each year, the Hillsdale County Community Foundation awards two student-athletes from the area with the Jennifer Beach Memorial Scholarship. The annual award is presented at the Hillsdale Area Best Track and Field competition held at the end of the spring track season. Recipients and families were on the 50-yard line at this year’s Hillsdale Area Best competition. They were joined by members of the HCCF and the Beach family in presenting the scholarship plaques to the selected student-athletes.

This year, the Jennifer Beach Memorial Scholarship was received by Kiera Welden Sr. of Hillsdale Academy and Owen Brown Sr. of Camden-Frontier. The two athletes were joined by their families in the post-national anthem ceremony at the Hillsdale Area Best meet.

The Jennifer Beach Memorial Scholarship is awarded to two student-athletes who have achieved a letter in at least two varsity sports and who have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or better during their school career. Over 50 students apply for the scholarship each year who qualify.

The scholarship is named after Jennifer Jo Beach, daughter of Gary and Mary Beach, born June 2, 1975. Jennifer Beach was an outstanding student-athlete at North Adams-Jerome High School before a car accident. came to life at the age of 17 in 1992. The Jennifer Beach Memorial Scholarship was established in her memory.

2021 Jennifer Beach Memorial Scholarship recipient Kiera Welden is a senior student-athlete at Hillsdale Academy. Welden graduated from the Academy this spring with the intention of attending Grand Valley State University. Welden was a three sports athlete at Hillsdale Academy, playing volleyball, basketball and track and field. Welden graduated with a 4.0 and was a valedictorian for the 2021 Hillsdale Academy senior class, and was a finalist for the MHSAA Farm Bureau scholarship. Welden was All-State for fall volleyball and was part of the Academy’s MITCA D4 State Championship women’s track team last week.

“I feel truly honored to receive this scholarship,” said Kiera Welden. “It is an honor to be one of the named recipients of the Jennifer Beach Fellowship.”

“My husband and I are very proud of Kiera,” said Jennifer Welden, Kiera’s mother. “She has worked very hard to achieve the accolades she has received and is very excited about all of the opportunities that await her at Grand Valley State University.”

2021 Jennifer Beach Memorial Scholarship recipient Owen Brown is a Camden-Frontier High School graduate student-athlete. After graduation, Owen Brown plans to take the Electrical Engineering program at the University of Michigan at Ann Abor. Brown played football, basketball and baseball for Camden-Frontier throughout his high school career. Brown obtained a GPA 4.1. It was named the first team of all football and basketball conferences.

“When you read the story, this award that commemorates Jennifer Beach is a great honor for all of the recipients who have been selected for this award,” said Owen Brown. “To be a part of this is something really special and I am honored to have been selected for this award.”

“We’re grateful to Owen for winning it. Having seen all the big kids win it before, and we’re proud Owen is a part of it.” said Owen’s father; Andy Brown who served on the Jennifer Beach Scholarship Committee.

The annual Jennifer Beach Memorial Scholarship is awarded once a year to two recipients. For more information on the scholarship, contact the Hillsdale County Community Foundation for more information.