DutchCrafters, the largest retailer of Amish furniture at www.dutchcrafters.com, awards the DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Heritage Scholarship every year to college students who need financial assistance to continue their education and who intend to draw from their cultural heritage to shape their careers. Each winning applicant is awarded a $500 scholarship. The 2023-24 DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Heritage Scholarship winners are Mya Jessica Duncan of Simpsonville, South Carolina; Mena Morcous of St. Louis, Missouri; and Caleb Ben Schellenberg of Redmond, Washington.

Established in 2011, the DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Heritage Scholarship is awarded to deserving students attending colleges across the United States. The scholarship supports the premise that cultural heritage experiences have positively influenced students’ motivation, commitment, and achievements. Drawing from the influence of their heritage drives their academic goals, career choices and community engagement.

DutchCrafters received 200 applications for its 2023-24 Heritage Scholarship, an increase from 100 received the previous year. The three-part application includes an essay expressing financial need as well as how they will draw upon their cultural heritage to shape career aspirations, bring creative and strategic value to their employers, and serve their respective communities.

Mya Duncan will attend Charleston Southern University in North Charleston, South Carolina. She is eager to apply the pride she feels in her rich African American heritage to educate, inspire, and mentor high school students. Duncan will weave into her teaching style examples of the music, art, and storytelling traditions that helped her feel empowered and to be successful, evidenced by her 4.1 GPA. She also looks forward to bringing valuable perspectives to educational planning and positive outcomes for future employers and to enriching her community as an active volunteer. “By drawing upon my cultural traditions and values,” Duncan said, “I hope to offer creative value to my future employer and inspire my students to take pride in their own cultural backgrounds.”

Mena Morcous cites his “community-oriented lifestyle where family and religion are paramount.” Living in Egypt as a child motivated Morcous to direct his compassion and empathy to helping others. To that end, he will study physical therapy at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. He aspires to further education and training in sports medicine and pediatrics. A young immigrant from Egypt, Morcous recalls learning the value of hard work and perseverance to overcome the challenges of growing up in a developing country. “As a Coptic Orthodox Christian, I have been taught to value patience, humility, and empathy. These traits will enable me to connect with patients on a deeper level and provide a more personalized approach to their care.” Morcous shared that his volunteer activities have included organizing food drives, serving at soup kitchens, and helping in homeless shelters. That community outreach connected him to people with diverse lifestyles and instilled in him a deep commitment to give back to his community. The value added for current and future healthcare industry employers and patients will be the integration of his unique perspective with the skills needed to provide compassionate, respectful care.

Caleb Schellenberg will attend the University of Arizona in Tucson to study Business Management and pursue a career in international business or consulting. His father has been a high school administrator, imparting the vital role of education along with the valuable experience of life abroad. Living in Thailand and China introduced Schellenberg to the vital role of understanding differences in cultural behaviors. “In China it is common to exchange gifts as a way of building trust and establishing relationships in business settings,” said Schellenberg. “This practice is not as common in Western countries…Living abroad gave me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of doing business in different cultures.” Schellenberg hopes to bring valuable insights and strategies to employers who are expanding their operations globally. To give back to his community, he will promote diversity and inclusivity by teaching language classes and organizing diverse cultural events featuring customs and traditions from various cultures.