ULS announces 2022-23 recipient of the Nicole Marie Shammas Memorial Scholarship

Rocco Vesprini ‘29 of St. Clair Shores is the 2022-23 recipient of the Nicole Marie Shammas Memorial Scholarship at University Liggett School.

The scholarship is awarded each year to a sixth-grade student for the three years of Middle School (6-8th grade).

Recipients must show an interest in the arts and academic promise.“The scholarship will allow me to get a rich education that prepares me to become the best version of myself,” Vesprini said. “It will allow me to develop my math, writing, technology, social and critical thinking skills.” Vesprini is also a singer, performing the national anthem with his sister at local parks and events, and proficient on saxophone, cello and bass.

The Nicole Marie Shammas Memorial Scholarship awards $2,000 per student. Three middle school students are awarded the scholarship each year. Robert and Elizabeth Shammas have helped more than 40 students receive the scholarship over the years. In addition, the Michael Giorgio family has donated a tree to the school in Nicole’s memory, which has been planted in the courtyard.

“The Shammas family is dedicated to giving ULS students a chance at the same exceptional education that Nicole had,” said Cressie Boggs, director of development and alumni relations “Nicole’s memory lives on in every student who attends our school thanks to this scholarship. We are so grateful for the Shammas’ generous support of ULS.

The scholarship is part of the school’s endowment program and is made possible by a gift from the Shammas family of Grosse Pointe Woods and others who knew Nicole. Nicole passed away while in Middle School in 1986.

Students also receiving the scholarship this year are Kylie McClain ‘28 and Natalie Green ‘27.