FRESHMEN INVITED TO COMPETE FOR $9,000 KOTZAN CREATIVE WRITING SCHOLARSHIP

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March 3, 2026

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Award honors 2005 graduate Michael J. Kotzan and supports young writers at Notre Dame Prep.

Freshmen at Notre Dame Prep have an opportunity to turn their passion for storytelling into a multi-year scholarship.

The Michael J. Kotzan Creative Writing Scholarship Award, now entering its fifth year, invites members of the Class of 2029 to submit original historical fiction for a chance to earn up to $9,000 over three years. The award recognizes creativity, character development and a commitment to the craft of writing — values that reflect both the mission of Notre Dame Prep and the life of the alumnus for whom the scholarship is named.

Honoring a graduate’s dream

Michael Kotzan, a 2005 graduate of Notre Dame Prep, pursued his love of writing long after high school. After studying at Michigan State University’s James Madison College and earning his law degree from the University of Miami, he practiced law in Chicago. In 2018, he moved to Los Angeles to follow a new goal: becoming a Hollywood screenwriter.

Kotzan died unexpectedly in 2021, but his family and the Notre Dame Prep community established the scholarship to ensure his creative spirit continues to inspire students. The award encourages young writers to take their ideas seriously and develop their voices with confidence.

An historical prompt

This year’s prompt challenges freshmen to explore the past through fiction.

Students are asked to choose a real historical event that occurred before 1975 — from ancient civilizations to the Civil War, World War II or the social movements of the 1960s — and write a historical fiction narrative from the perspective of a fictional or lesser-known individual who experienced the event firsthand.

Submissions should:

   • Demonstrate an understanding of the historical context, including details such as clothing, technology and social norms.

   • Develop a compelling character voice.

   • Reflect on themes such as courage, resilience, justice or change.

Entries should range from 1,500 to 3,000 words. While grammar and mechanics will be considered, creativity carries the most weight in judging. Well-developed characters and an engaging, cohesive plot are essential.

Scholarship support through senior year

The winning freshman will receive $5,000 toward tuition for sophomore year. With a maintained GPA of at least a B- (80%), the recipient may renew the award with $2,000 scholarships for both junior and senior years.

To renew, the student must submit their strongest creative piece from the current school year, demonstrating growth and continued dedication to writing. Each renewal submission will be reviewed by the selection committee.

In total, the scholarship can provide $9,000 in tuition assistance — a meaningful investment in both talent and academic commitment.

How to apply

Students may apply during the second semester of their freshman year. The application must include:

     • A short explanation of the student’s passion for creative writing.

     • A recommendation from the student’s freshman English teacher.

     • The original creative writing piece, accompanied by a signed statement of originality. Submissions will be reviewed through Turnitin to verify authenticity.

All materials must be submitted via Google Forms to Ms. Anderson by June 12.

A community that cultivates creativity

As a Catholic and Marist community, Notre Dame Prep emphasizes academic excellence, moral development and individual growth. Opportunities such as the Kotzan Creative Writing Scholarship highlight the school’s commitment to nurturing student talent across disciplines — from STEM to the arts.

For prospective families, the scholarship represents more than financial support. It signals that creative voices are valued and that students are encouraged to pursue ambitious goals. For current freshmen, it offers a chance to take a first serious step as a writer — and to honor the legacy of an alumnus who believed in the power of story.

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.