Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship
The Purpose of the Award:
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To REMEMBER and honor the life of Ryan Fischer and all he stood for through his strong faith in God, his passion for his country, his unconditional love for all others and his zeal to live life to its fullest.
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TO ENCOURAGE AND CHALLENGE area varsity hockey players to live a life that represents the integrity, character and sportsmanship that Ryan displayed in all facets of his life.
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To RECOGNIZE one senior varsity hockey (boy or girl) player that best reflects Ryan's life.
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To ESTABLISH and promote a standard for all amateur athletes.
The award will be known as the "Ryan Fischer Legacy Award" and will be a one-of-a-kind trophy and a one-time college scholarship to the school of the recipient's choice. The value of the scholarship will be based on the assets available. The name of the recipient will also be placed on permanent plaques in Grandville High School and the home ice arena for the Grandville High School ice hockey team.
Nominations for the award will be made by head varsity hockey coaches in the state of Michigan. The award will be presented each spring after the conclusion of the MHSAA playoffs at the
Henrik Zetterberg/Hockey Weekly High School All-State Awards Banquet.
Criteria:
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Senior in High School with a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA
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Accepted to an accredited college or university and enrolled by October 1st following his/her high school graduation - Scholarship made payable to university only
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Must have lettered in at least two varsity sports including hockey
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Must be of high moral character, demonstrate a strong faith in God, a love for this country and be committed to community service
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Must also demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship, exceptional leadership, integrity and a positive attitude.
The goal of the Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship committee is to establish an endowment fund capable of sustaining the scholarship for an indefinite period.
We would like to Thank the following coaches for their assistance in judging this year's applications.
Dennis Gagnon
Milford High School
Brian Hughes
Monroe St Mary Catholic Central
JD Kalleward
Portage Northern High School
Cory Markham
Houghton High School
Doug Garrow
Marquette High School
2024 Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient
Paul Baker
Lakeland High School
This year marks our 10th Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award, and we are excited to announce our 10th recipient as Paul Baker of Lakeland High School.
Paul is a 4-year member of the Varsity hockey team, an All-Conference goalie and captain. He was named Lakeland’s “Player of the Year,” helped his team to 4 straight conference championships, and this year, a regional championship and the Frozen Four State Semi Final game. In addition, Paul has received Varsity letters in golf and football.
Outside of athletics, Paul has served as Class President since his sophomore year, is Treasurer of the National Honors Society, and represents Lakeland on committees for Huron Valley Schools. Paul is an exceptional leader, student-athlete, and volunteer. He logged hundreds of service hours throughout high school, noting a specific volunteer project with the Joe Kocur Foundation as one of his favorites.
He keeps his faith at the center of all he does, and he says that his goal has always been to be part of something bigger than himself. When asked why he would like to receive this particular scholarship, Paul said: “I truly aspire to live life the way Ryan did with God, community, country, family and friends at the center of everything he did.” It is evident that Paul’s mission aligns closely to Ryan’s, and his humble character and dedication to faith, leadership, and service make him well-deserving of this award.
Congratulations, Paul!
2023 Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient
Isaac Hopp
Gaylord High School
We are pleased to announce the recipient of the Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award for 2023 is Isaac Hopp of Gaylord High School. Isaac is a 4-year member of the Gaylord Varsity Hockey team. He contributed the most regular season points in last year’s season as assistant captain and served as captain his senior season. He also lettered in baseball for 2 seasons, earning an award for excellence in sportsmanship and attitude and an Academic All-State award in 2022. Outside of athletics, Isaac has been a dedicated member of his school community, logging hundreds of service hours through his commitments of the National Honor Society and the Key Club, along with dedicated leadership service in his church community. Isaac has an impressive 4.1 GPA and plans to study accounting/business in college.
One of Isaac’s remarkable qualities is his support for the military, veterans, law enforcement and first responders. Part of his legacy at Gaylord Hockey will be his proposal and support of the “Thin Blue Line” theme to fundraise for the COPS fund charity. He delivered the tribute speech to the officers in attendance and his team created a handshake line to personally acknowledge each officer’s service and sacrifice. He says this game was the most memorable hockey game of his life.
Altogether, Isaac demonstrates strong moral character, faith in God, love for his country, and service to others. In his essay regarding his own legacy, he says, “I have spent each day living life to the fullest and will continue to ‘Live Like Ryan,’ leading by example, showing gratitude and grace, and making each day count.” Congratulations, Isaac!
2022 Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient
Brayden Moll
Grandville High School
We are very excited to announce the recipient of the Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award is Brayden Moll of Grandville High School. While a very competitive award available to Scholar Athlete hockey players across the state of Michigan, Brayden’s background as a Grandville Bulldog makes this a unique award to give this year. The common background of GHS is one of the many commonalities between Brayden and Ryan’s legacies — the strongest being their commitment to serve.
Brayden plans to attend the United States Air Force Academy this fall, after being accepted to three service academies. He was inspired to serve in the armed forces by both his grandfather’s and his dad’s service in the Air Force and his cousin’s service as an officer in the Navy. He was also inspired by Ryan’s determination to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Scott and Roni Fischer were able to present this Scholarship to Brayden and his family while attending a celebration hosted by Grandville High School to honor his commitment to attend the Air Force Academy.
In his high school career, Brayden received Varsity letters in hockey and tennis. He received Academic All-State honors in tennis, and recently helped lead his hockey team to the State Semi-Finals. Brayden served on Student Council for four years and currently serves as President. He has been a member of the Be Nice Committee since middle school, an organization created by the Mental Health Foundation to help foster a more inclusive educational environment for all. He is also a EAA Young Eagle Flight Leader and volunteer pilot. His dedication to leadership and service is evident through his achievements and his character.
In his application, he states: “I hope to continue to live like Ryan by leaving a legacy of service to others and to my country. To me, there is no greater honor than to serve others.”
Congratulations, Brayden! We are thrilled to award you with this Scholarship and look forward to supporting you in your future years of service.
2021 Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient
Casen Faustyn
Okemos High School
We are very proud to announce the 2021 winner of the Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship, Casen Faustyn of Okemos High School! Casen plans to study Engineering and continue his hockey career at Hope College next fall.
Casen is a two-sport athlete earning a total of six varsity letters in hockey and lacrosse. He served as captain of the hockey team his junior and senior seasons, earning All-Conference and 2nd Team All-State honors last year. He also received the Lansing State Journal Player of the Year award and the Positive Athlete of the Year Award in Michigan in 2020. Casen is a dedicated member of his community through various volunteer and employment opportunities. Last summer, he worked in the Counselor-in-Training program at Camp Geneva in Holland, MI. This experience gave him the opportunity to teach and spread the Word of God, an experience he says helped shape him into the man he is today.
When asked why he would like to win this particular scholarship in Ryan’s name, he wrote: “I believe that if I ever had the honor of meeting Ryan Fischer, we would connect instantly. God, Country, Family, Friends. These were the four most important values to Ryan, and if asked, I would say the same.” Casen was also a member of the National Honors Society and volunteered as a math tutor throughout his high school career. Congratulations Casen!
2020 Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient
Ryan Endres
Forest Hills Eastern High School
2019 Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient
Ethan Green
Caledonia High School
Email us at RyanFischer11@comcast.net
2018 Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient
Julie Smith
Walled Lake Northern High School
2017 Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient
Paul Forhan
Walled Lake Northern High School
2016 Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient
Noah Weigle
Grandville High School
2015 Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient
Brent Petersen
Grand Haven High School
