2017 Martin Marietta Scholarships Michael Sosnowski DePauw University America. He led school spirit cheers at sporting events and took on a senior project designed to increase patriotism in the community by recruiting local business leaders to display mounted American flags in their stores. All the while, he excelled in the classroom and on the football field, held down a part-time job and became increasingly interested in real world events. That interest grew deeper when tragedy struck his school community. At the end of Sosnowski’s sophomore year, a classmate was killed in a car accident. Rather than passively mourn, Sosnowski and his friends with the GC Rage spirit group took it upon themselves to organize a whiffle ball tournament in the teen’s honor. All money raised during the event was given to the boy’s family to aid with the funeral costs. “What I learned from that experience is that pleasing everyone is not the goal of volunteering,” Sosnowski says. “Instead, doing the work to the best of one’s ability with a full heart and an open mind is all that can be done.” That lesson is one he has taken with him over the years. It’s guided him through other service projects and volunteer efforts and it will guide him as he moves on to DePauw University to study political science and play on the college football team. With any luck, the lesson will guide him through law school and, perhaps one day, into the political sphere. For the time being, however, Sosnowski remains content, but never satisfied. “Right now, I’m just focused on service to the community and to people,” he says. “At some point, though, I’d like to amplify the service I’ve done to a regional and state level.” ▼ Michael Sosnowski with his father, Indiana District Regional Land Manager John Sosnowski, and mother, Amy Sosnowski. He graduated seventh in his class, but Michael Sosnowski never mentions his academic success while speaking of his proudest moments. He served as captain on his high school’s football team, but that, too, takes a back seat. These successes are common for someone his age. Sosnowski strives for more. “My parents have always pushed me beyond what was expected of a high school student,” he says. “I also wanted to push myself to take on certain roles because I knew there were so many great opportunities available to me.” To that end, Sosnowski didn’t just join clubs, groups and efforts to improve the community. He led them. The teen volunteered in the local soup kitchen, coached young children in football and joined fundraising efforts to raise money for the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Just the Facts: Michael Sosnowski High School: Greenfield-Central High School (Indiana) Weighted GPA: 4.26 May the Force be with him: Michael once led a multi-step cheer in front of hundreds of high school sports fans while dressed as a Jedi. He considers the experience, which he had while volunteering with his high school’s GC Rage spirit club, proof that he’s growing increasingly comfortable in his own skin. 18 September/October 2017 The Conveyor | www.martinmarietta.com
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