Branch 743’s Victoria Kovac was one of two students from Warren Consolidated Schools’ Macomb Mathematics Science and Technology Center (MMSTC) named a 2020 Stamps Scholar.

Victoria, who graduated in 2020 from MMSTC, is currently attending the University of Michigan tuition-free because of the Stamps Scholarship. [It] covers up to the total estimated cost of attendance for four years of undergraduate study, plus the students’ essentials, including room and board, and books. It also includes enrichment funds scholar recipients can use for academic and professional development, ranging from studying abroad to internships.

Stamps Scholars is based in Atlanta, GA. According to a Stamps Scholars press release, in 2006, Penny and Roe Stamps created merit scholarship programs for undergraduates at their alma maters: Penny, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Roe, Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The recipients must attend either university. Penny Stamps died in December 2018.

The MMSTC, located in Warren, MI, was designed to offer students courses in mathematics, science and technology. Classes cover several subjects, including geometry, biology, interdisciplinary studies, calculus and physics. Students attend the program half of their school day and their home school for the other half. Victoria attended while still enrolled in Fraser High School, Fraser, MI.

At Michigan, Kovac is studying business administration in the Ross School of Business. Because of COVID-19, her classes have been online.

“I’m kind of bummed out because there’s a lot of stuff we can’t really do,” she said. But she is making the most of it. “I like my classes. They’re pretty interesting.”
As far as pursuing business administration, “there’s a broad range of what I can pick from,” she said. “I might go into marketing. Honestly, I’m not sure. I’m just really grateful for the school. I really like (Michigan).”
Kovac always wanted to attend the MMSTC after her brother, one year older, began attending the program.
“He really liked his teachers,” she said.
Kovac studied hard while in the program. She also liked the smaller class sizes.
“It was rigorous. I wanted to challenge myself and get into a good college,” she said. “It was very science and math heavy.”
While there, she enrolled in geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus I and II, biology, chemistry and physics.
“I always liked science, but I was more of a math person,” Kovac said. “Math always clicked for me better. Science kind of shows how the world works.”

When Kovac learned she was a Stamps Scholars, she couldn’t hold back her emotions.
“I started crying,” she said. “I was really excited. It was the highlight of my year.”

Submitted by Br 743 President, Joseph Rimarcik. Based on  “MMSTC students receive Stamps Scholarships”, by Maria Allard, C&C Newspapers, October 23, 2020. Reprinted with permission.