The Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation is pleased to announce Cloe Oliver of Hastings and Rebecca Pruess of Delton as the 2026 recipients of the Mom’s Scholarship. Developed in memory of Virginia Hoover Harrison Root, a well-respected Barry County mother and teacher who went back to school in 1972 at age 65 and attained a BS from Western Michigan.
"This mom’s scholarship isn’t just financial aid — it is a recognition that a mother returning to school is rebuilding her whole family's future in a positive way. When we help to remove financial barriers, we're telling her that the sacrifice she's already made is valued and worth investing in." said BCF/TAEF Scholarship Administrator, Annie Halle.
The Mom’s Scholarship is given to a Barry County mother who is a primary financial contributor for her family and has children under the age of 18 living in her home. The recipient must be seeking a post-high school degree or vocation at an accredited college, university, or trade school.
Oliver is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management at Western Governors University.
Pruess is pursuing a degree in Social Work at Spring Arbor University.
TAEF is a geographic affiliate of the Barry Community Foundation.
