Matthew Anderson, a senior at Marquette Alternative High School, is the winner of a $3,000 Impact a Life Scholarship. Anderson’s ambition is to be an electrician. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

MARQUETTE — Matthew Anderson, a senior at Marquette Alternative High School, is the winner of the $3,000 Impact a Life Scholarship.

“The (Marquette Area Public Schools) Education Foundation provides this great resource and is just an excellent organization for our community youth,” said Andrew Crunkleton, principal at MAHS, in an email. “Amazing people all around.”

Anderson was picked out of a drawing that contained the names of all students in ninth through 12th grades at Marquette Area Public Schools.

Crunkleton said the student will receive the scholarship via check upon graduation.

“The hope is that this will help him smoothly enter into the next stage of life,” Crunkleton said.

Anderson acknowledged his good fortune that sprang from someone reaching into a drum and pulling out a piece of paper with his name.

“I was pretty lucky, but grateful for it, I’m sure,” he said.

Anderson plans to use a big chunk of his windfall for school — in this case, Northern Michigan University — but maybe spend a little on himself.

His career goal, he said, involves going into the trades, particularly electrician work, which was his grandfather’s line of work.

In the meantime, Anderson, whose favorite subjects are chemistry and English, loves playing golf and participates in Marquette Junior Hockey.

However he uses his scholarship money and whatever his choice of extracurricular activities, Anderson said this year — in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic — has been different.

“It’s better than online, for sure,” he said.

A few scholarship dollars can’t hurt either.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net