ACF Announces Scholarship Recipients for 2015

52 Alaskan students received educational opportunities through ACF scholarships in 2015

The Alaska Community Foundation is pleased to announce academic scholarship awards to 52 students across the state. Established by community members who are passionate about helping students achieve their dreams, scholarships at The Alaska Community Foundation are awarded to students in many different fields, from orchestral musicians, students pursuing science and technology careers, and even Alaskan athletes aspiring to compete in the Winter Olympics.

I wept in my truck after the awards ceremony, scholarship in hand. My parents are the lower end of the middle class. I am paying for my secondary education. I am a minority, and I am a first generation college student. I wept out of sheer gratitude for the generosity of organizations like yours. I cannot express my appreciation for your contributions toward furthering my education and future success. Truly, thank you. – Emily Brockman, a Luella James Scholarship recipient

The Luella James Scholarship was founded by the Seward Community Foundation to support graduates from Seward High School. Established in honor of Luella James, a beloved community member who promoted literacy throughout the 57 years she spent in Seward, the scholarship seeks to pay tribute to her by providing students with the education she valued so highly and sought to share with others.

Thank you very much. This award means so much to me and helps facilitate my further education … which I am extremely grateful for. I look forward to sharing my Alaskan way of life and culture and I look forward to being able to give back to my state through the education I [will] receive. – River Quitslund, a Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship recipient

The Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship was established to support graduates of Alaskan high schools who intend to pursue post-secondary education at one of 16 institutions selected by the donor, with preference given to first generation college students, Alaska Native students, and other underserved populations.

Scholarships at The Alaska Community Foundation range in size from $500 to $20,000, with some providing multi-year support. Alaskans interested in making a lasting impact on their state by supporting educational opportunities can establish scholarship funds with ACF that support students in a variety of ways. ACF provides administrative support, helps develop scholarship guidelines, and ensures every scholarship awarded is in accordance with IRS requirements.

2015 Scholarship Recipients

Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship supports Alaskan students pursuing post-secondary education for up to five years.

  • River Quitslund
  • Devynn Maclure
  • Micheal Dale

Wrangell and Sitka Scholarships

These scholarships support Sitka and Wrangell high school students pursuing post-secondary education for 4 years.

  • Kimberly Cooper
  • Ben Florschutz
  • Aruthur Acuna
  • Kaya Duguay
  • Trevor Schoening
  • Katheryn Morse

Tim Akers Scholarship

This scholarship supports outstanding Alaskan students in the pursuit of technology education and/or training.

  • Alyssa Norris

Red Boucher Scholarship

This scholarship supports outstanding Alaskan students in the pursuit of technology education and/or training.

  • Andy Ngyuen

David E. Knox Memorial Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship supports students in the pursuit of registered nursing degrees and service to small Alaskan communities.

  • Kelly Lawler
  • Geneva Peters

Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage Scholarship

This scholarship supports high school seniors and college skiers for their dedication to cross-country skiing and academic achievements.

  • Alisha Aist
  • Anton Clark
  • Riley Bickford
  • Annika Flynn
  • Seiji Takagi
  • Douglas Watts
  • Mariana Jager
  • William Mans
  • Lydia Blanchet

Dr. Merritt C. Olson Scholarship

This scholarship supports West Anchorage High School seniors pursuing post-secondary education.

  • Miranda Evon
  • Tasha Quiett
  • Mekayla Winchester

Carl Seaman Scholarship

This scholarship supports Kenai Central High School students in pursuit of post-secondary education.

  • Jacob Dye

Kenny Carver Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship supports Kenai Central and Soldotna High School students pursuing post-secondary education.

  • Savannah Cartwright
  • Allison Bushnell

Kayhi Alumni Scholarship

This scholarship supports outstanding Ketchikan high school seniors in the pursuit of higher education.

  • Casey Hendricks
  • Carly Royer
  • Hailee Miller
  • Katrina Thomas
  • Sonja Christensen

JJ Klein Scholarship

This scholarship supports Alaskan high school students seeking post-secondary education. The scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and college students.

  • Renae Kewan
  • Calesia Monroe

Luella James Scholarship

This scholarship supports Seward High School students in pursuit of post-secondary education.

  • Diana German
  • Emily Brockman

Hoonah Education Association Fine Arts Scholarship

This scholarship supports those seeking to attend the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.

  • Leticia Skaflestad
  • Gabriella Comolli
  • Kaylahni Bidiman
  • Jordan McLuckie

Shayna Marie Pritchard Scholarship

This scholarship supports students pursuing education at tech school with preference for those attending massage therapy school.

  • Erin O’Brien
  • Jacob Olson

Sven E. and Lorraine Eriksson Scholarship

This scholarship supports students pursuing music or engineering.

  • Tad Nelson
  • Jake Bassett
  • Antoinette Johnson