DutchCrafters Amish Furniture, the largest seller of Amish furniture online at www.DutchCrafters.com, announced that Michael B., Alice Long and Hunter Stafford are the 2016 winners of its Heritage Scholarship. The three high school graduates received $500 each to continue their education at the college of their choice. Award selection criteria included grade point average, a statement of financial need, and an outstanding 750-word essay on the important role that their heritage plays in shaping their education and career.

Michael B., Pittsburgh, Pa., plans to attend Dartmouth College with interest in studying Russian, education or neuroscience. He was raised in rural Ohio by a woman who instilled in him that “anything worth doing is worth doing well.” He has gone on to start an organization that offers classical music instruction free of charge to inner city children and is inspired to go on to college to prepare to be of more service to others.

Alice Long, Miami, Fla., plans to study at Hamilton College this fall and pursue a career in medicine. She credits her parents for making sacrifices so she could have a better future. Long writes, “They had left their native land and traveled to America, a place where I expressed my individuality, and shared my desire of freedom through learning.”

Hunter Stafford, Lakewood, Colo., credits his family’s love for the outdoors for helping him overcome his struggles as he lives with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. He hiked the 486 miles of the Colorado Trail with his father. He writes, “The 32 days I spent in the mountains helped me find equanimity despite serious physical struggles.” He wants to pass that along to students and plans to study history with a concentration in social studies education at Colorado State University.

“We’re honored to invest in young people as they draw from their families and cultures to build their futures,” said Jim Miller, founder and CEO of DutchCrafters and its parent company JMX Brands, who was able to differentiate his business through looking within his Amish and Mennonite heritage, offering high level customer service that matches the quality of the authentic and long-lasting Amish furniture that DutchCrafters sells.

Established in 2011, the DutchCrafters Heritage Scholarship has now awarded $7,500 to deserving, accomplished students attending colleges across the country, studying in an impressive array of disciplines. The scholarship continues to underline DutchCrafters’ belief that cultural heritage can positively shape vocational experiences and offer creative value to employers.