The Alaska Community Foundation Announces 57 Scholarship Awards
The Alaska Community Foundation is pleased to announce academic scholarship awards to 57 students from across the state. These scholarships, created by caring community members who want to make a lasting impact in Alaska, provide financial support to students pursing different academic disciplines, ranging from the sciences, technology, music, education, and even the culinary arts. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $37,500, with some providing multi-year support.
The Alaska Community Foundation also announces two scholarships now open for applications: the Dr. John Halligan Scholarship, a new scholarship to support Alaskan students pursuing an undergraduate degree in the health sciences at a University of Alaska campus, and the David E. Knox Memorial Nursing Fellowship, which provides awards for nursing students who commit to practice in a small community in Alaska for a minimum of one year. Both scholarship opportunities provide awards of up to $2,500. The deadline for both is November 1 at 5pm AKST. More information on these and other scholarships may be found at: www.alaskacf.org/scholarships/
Examples of scholarships awarded:
One of the most generous scholarships, The Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship, awards $7,500 per year for up to five years. This scholarship was established to support graduates of Alaskan high schools planning to attend one of 14 institutions selected by the donor, with preference given to first generation college students, Alaskan Native students, and other underserved populations.
I’ve been dreaming of attending Pacific Lutheran University since before I can remember, and the Neal O. Thorpe Scholarship is helping me live that dream. At this point, as a first year, I’m hoping to pursue a career in either Social Work, Nursing, or Journalism. I’m not entirely sure which route I want to take yet, but I think that’s what college is for: finding yourself and what you want to do with your life.
Juliana Andrew, a Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship recipient
Another scholarship, the Professional Development of Volunteer Administrators Scholarship, supports educational opportunities for nonprofit Volunteer Administrators, including conferences, trainings, and related expenses. This scholarship was established by the Anchorage Association of Volunteer Administrators.
The Alaska Community Foundation scholarship made it possible for me to attend a national conference on Volunteer Engagement. The experience helped me to build meaningful connections with other professionals and access resources across the field so that I can more effectively mobilize volunteers and support them in the meaningful work they are doing.
Nicole Poole, a Professional Development of Volunteer Administrators Scholarship recipient
2017 Scholarship Recipients
This scholarship supports Kenai Central High School students in pursuit of post-secondary education .
- Emily Koziczkowski
This scholarship was created to help Alaskan students looking to pursue secondary education towards a career in culinary arts or another hospitality or tourism industry profession.
- Jeremiah Yang
Dr. Merritt Olson Academic Scholarship
This scholarship supports West Anchorage High School seniors pursuing post-secondary education.
- Kendra Carrillo Vasquez
This scholarship supports students pursuing post-secondary education who participated in swimming at the high school level.
- Quinn Berry
This scholarship supports Ninilchik High School seniors pursuing post-secondary education.
- Jacob Roberts
This scholarship supports Alaskan students seeking post-secondary education.
- Samir Akal
- Helen Bismark
- August Leask
- Nathaniel Meyer
Josephine’s Dream Scholarship
This one-time scholarship supports students pursuing a career working with animals.
- Jessica Ladd
Kathryn E. & John P. Doyle Scholarship
This scholarship supports female undergraduate and graduate students studying a degree in science at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
- La’ona DeWilde
- Abigail Blackstone
This scholarship supports Ketchikan High School seniors in the pursuit of post-secondary education.
- Shakim Bauer, $1,200
- Gabrial Canfield, $1,000
- Victoria Dalin, $500
- Cameron Edwards, $1,000
- Elsie Heinl, $1,000
- Taylor Moody, $1,200
- Rizza Rodriguez, $1,000
- Tori Seley, $1,000
Kenny Carver Scholarship (Soldotna)
This scholarship supports Soldotna High School seniors with a preference towards those pursuing a vocational field.
- Trinity Ames, $500
This scholarship supports Seward High School seniors pursuing post-secondary education.
- Grace Callicut
- Hunter Kratz
Maurie Harrington Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship supports Kenai Central High School seniors pursuing post-secondary education.
- Mackenzie Lindeman
This scholarship supports East Anchorage High School seniors pursuing a career in teaching.
- Autumn Levy
Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship supports Alaskan students pursuing post-secondary education for up to five years.
- Juliana Andrew
- Samantha-Lynn Heglin
- Blake James
Ninilchik School Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship supports Ninilchik High School seniors pursuing post-secondary education.
- Mikayla Clark
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.
- Zachary Bassett
- Ryan Bickford
- Ruth Cvancara
- Sydney Gill
- Elizabeth Mans
Professional Development of Volunteer Administrators
This scholarship supports professional development of volunteer administrators and may include the cost of attending trainings and related expenses.
- Nicole Poole, Planned Parenthood
- Amy Westfall, Stone Soup Group
This scholarship supports Alaskan students in the pursuit of technology education and/or training.
- Jack Moseley
- Kate Zimmerman
Returning Exchange Student Scholarship
The final year of this scholarship will support a foreign exchange student who chooses to return to Alaska for college.
- Yuting Kang
Scott Fibranz Memorial Baseball Scholarship
This scholarship supports Alaskan students pursuing post-secondary education who participated in baseball at the high school level.
- Grant Ainsworth
Shayna Marie Pritchard Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship supports Nikiski High School seniors in pursuit of a career in Massage Therapy or a Trade/Vocational degree.
- Zoe Murphy
- Anders Solmonson
Shelley Szepanzki Memorial Flight Scholarship
This scholarship supports female students enrolled in a science-related degree program who are also pursuing flying as part of their science-related career goals.
- Evelina Natekin
- Jamee Wallis
Sitka and Wrangell Scholarships
These scholarships support Sitka and Wrangell high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education for up to four years.
- Joanna Davis, Sitka
- Makayla Murphy, Sitka
- James Swedeen, Sitka
- Alexandra Angerman, Wrangell
- Siguard Decker, Wrangell
- Trent Stokes, Wrangell
Sven & Lorraine Eriksson Alaska Scholarship
This scholarship supports University of Alaska students pursuing degrees in music or engineering.
- Madeline Andriesen
- Rose Crelli
- Purevdulam Enkhbat
- Brett Keene
- Dontae Robertson
THS Patricia Roppel Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship supports an undergraduate or graduate students majoring in history, with a preference towards those specializing in Southeast Alaska history or the history of mining, fisheries, or timber in Alaska.
- Ross Coen
Tim Akers Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship supports Alaskan students in the pursuit of technology education and/or training.
- Purevdulam Enkhbat
- Kyle Rearden