2018 Holiday Extravaganza Scholarship Program Auburn Hills, Mich. – June 4, 2018 - Just in time for high school students to complete during their summer vacation, the Greater Pontiac Host Committee is excited to announce Holiday Extravaganza’s four one-time $1,000 Fran Anderson Making a Difference Scholarships! Holiday Extravaganza is a collaborative event between the communities of Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Waterford, and White Lake, and will be held on December 1, 2018 in Downtown Pontiac.

Genisys Credit Union is funding four one-time, $1,000, “Fran Anderson Making a Difference Scholarships.” One of these scholarships will be awarded, per partnering community, to a qualified high school student who resides in Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Waterford, and White Lake. Each scholarship recipient will also represent his/her respective community during the Holiday Extravaganza Parade at 11:00 a.m. on December 1, 2018 as a Junior Grand Marshal. g

The late Fran Anderson, in whose memory the scholarships are named, was an inspirational women who epitomized the phrase “making a difference.” She was an extraordinary teacher in the Pontiac School District who dedicated her life to the success of children. She advocated for numerous civic and community organizations in which she volunteered much of her time, including the Holiday Extravaganza, whose Board of Directors she served with distinction.

In order to qualify for this scholarship opportunity, an applicant must submit a 500 word essay in his/her own words explaining how the applicant has made a difference in his/her local community. Any use of plagiarism will disqualify the applicant from consideration of the scholarship.  A board of community leaders representing Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Waterford, and White Lake will evaluate each applicant based solely on the quality of his/her essay. The essays will be submitted anonymously to the officials, whose decision is final.  Each of the Holiday Extravaganza scholarships will be awarded during a program that will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday December 1, 2018 at the 50th District Court in Downtown Pontiac. Recipients must be present.

All eligible students interested in applying must complete the application, found online at www.holidayextravaganza.org. Both the application and 500 word essay are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 18, 2018 to holidayextravaganza@genisyscu.org. This year, Holiday Extravaganza is pleased to announce two new and exciting opportunities. All applications received by August 1, 2018 will be entered into a drawing to win a gift card to The HUB in Auburn Hills, MI. Additionally, the first 50 students who submit their application and essay by August 1, 2018 will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, Michigan. Tickets are redeemable on the following dates only: August 18, 19, 24, 25, and September 1 and 2. Don’t delay, tickets are only available while supplies last! For more information or to apply, please visit: www.holidayextravaganza.org/scholarships

Holiday Extravaganza looks forward to celebrating the joy of the holiday season with you! Mark your calendar to join us December 1, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at both the Crofoot Ballroom and on Saginaw Street between Huron and Water Streets for the WinterFUN festival. The festival provides endless FREE entertainment including, a visit from Santa’s reindeers, face painters, balloon artists, live ice sculpture competition, hot chocolate stations, a petting zoo, and much, much more! The fun continues at 11:00 a.m. when Holiday Extravaganza’s Parade equipped with balloons, floats, and your favorite characters, rolls down the streets of Downtown Pontiac.

For more information regarding Holiday Extravaganza activities, please call the Holiday Extravaganza Santa hotline at (248) 322-9800 ext. 2571, or visit www.holidayextravaganza.org. If you are interested in sponsoring, participating in, or volunteering at the 37th Annual Holiday Extravaganza. Please send an email to us at HolidayExtravaganza@genisyscu.org

Holiday Extravaganza looks forward to celebrating the joy of the holiday season with you! Mark your calendar to join us December 1, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at both the Crofoot Ballroom and on Saginaw Street between Huron and Water Streets for the WinterFUN festival.  The festival provides endless FREE entertainment including, a visit from Santa’s reindeers, face painters, balloon artists, live ice sculpture competition, hot chocolate stations, a petting zoo, and much, much more! The fun continues at 11:00 a.m. when Holiday Extravaganza’s Parade equipped with balloons, floats, and your favorite characters, rolls down the streets of Downtown Pontiac.