By Jim Newell
Managing Editor
jnewell@mihomepaper.com
 ORION TWP. — Lake Orion High School 2024 graduate Ben Schadel was awarded the Television Production Workshop “Heart of a Dragon” Memorial Scholarship.
“We are glad to be continuing the honoring of Ted by awarding the winner of the Ted Swietlik Heart of a Dragon Memorial Scholarship. The winner of this year’s scholarship is Ben Schadel. This scholarship was established by the TPW alumni in memory of Ted Swietlik after he died nine years ago,” said Karen Swietlik, Ted’s mother.
Ted Swietlik, a 2014 graduate of Lake Orion, was a two-year member of Television Production Workshop (TPW) and participated in many of the broadcasting classes.
“He spent a lot of his time in the TPW studio and classroom as he pursued his dream of being a sports broadcaster,” Karen said. “Ted had a congenital heart defect and is the first-ever TPW alumni to pass away in their 30-year history. Thus, the TPW Ted Swietlik, “Heart of a Dragon” Scholarship was born.”
The scholarship is given to a senior who exemplifies Ted’s qualities of helping others and commitment to community.
“Ted had a passion for life and a heart of gold. He was proud to be a Lake Orion Dragon and a member of the TPW family. In spite of the limitations caused by his heart problems, Ted contributed hundreds of service hours to the community. It was very important to Ted to help others in need. This scholarship is given to one current TPW student each year who exhibits similar ambitions and values as Ted,” Karen said.
This scholarship is funded by the TPW alumni and or donations. Anyone who would like to contribute toward the scholarship can go to https://bit.ly/3Xa1AU4.
“This years’ scholarship recipient is someone who believes in caring for those around them regardless of the circumstances. Ben believes in finding the beauty of everything around him no matter how big or small. He will continue to keep his ‘Heart of a Dragon’ alive as he moves forward in college next year pursuing a career in journalism at Michigan State University,” Karen said.