ACF Announces Scholarship Recipients for 2016

46 Alaskan students received educational opportunities through ACF scholarships so far in 2016

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.

Being awarded this scholarship gets me one step further to my goal of becoming an occupational therapist. I’m attending the same college my mother went to. At the time she was going, tuition was half as much. This helps us not only financially, but also gave my mother and I some hope that attending the University of Portland was more foreseeable. And for this, I am very greatful to the Alaska Community Foundation, Thank you!

Melissa Allen, 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.

I am so appreciative of the scholarship I received through ACF. There are very few training opportunities within Alaska in field of Volunteer Management. Through this scholarship, I was able to attend the National Conference on Volunteering and Service which offers a wide range of workshops and resources. I am able to take what I’ve learned to better lead the volunteer programs at Covenant House Alaska and network with other professionals in my field. Thank you to ACF for this amazing opportunity!

Holly Payne, Professional Development of Volunteer Administrators Scholarship Recipient

The Professional Development of Volunteer Administrators Scholarship was established by the Anchorage Association for Volunteer Administrators to promote professional development of volunteer administrators. Awarded funds may support activities such as attending trainings/conferences and related expenses. Curriculum of the training/conference must be directly connected to the work of volunteer administration.

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.

And scholarship season isn’t over yet at The Alaska Community Foundation. There are three more scholarships that are still open for 2016. The David E. Knox Memorial Nursing Fellowship is open from September 1st to October 21st. The Returning Exchange Student Scholarship is open from September 1 to October 21st, and the Shelly Szepanski Memorial Flight Scholarship is open from September 1st – September 15th. Please share the word!

2016 Scholarship Recipients

Red Boucher Scholarship

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

  • Nathan Fousel, Ketchikan

Tim Akers Scholarship

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

  • Mary Keele, Ketchikan

The Kathryn E. and John P. Doyle Scholarship

The Kathryn E. and John P. Doyle Scholarship supports female graduate and undergraduate students studying a degree in science and attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

  • Katie Roseberry, Fairbanks
  • Molly, Tedesche, Fairbanks

Hoonah Education Association Fine Arts Scholarship

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

  • Kaylahni Bidiman, Hoonah

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.

  • JaLesa Byes, Anchorage
  • Jmari House, Anchorage
  • Saddo Osman, Anchorage
  • Dontae Robertson, Anchorage
  • Shoua Xiong, Anchorage
  • Autumn Young, Anchorage

Kayhi Alumni Scholarship

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

  • Bernadette Franulovich, Ketchikan

Carl Seaman Scholarship

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

  •  Hannah Drury, Kenai

Ninilchik School Memorial Fund

A scholarship fund to support post-secondary education for graduates from Ninilchik School who demonstrate excellence.

  • Naomi Hess, Ninilchik

Kenny Carver Memorial Scholarship

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

  • Rebekah Keener, Kenai
  • Neakita Swensen, Soldotna
  • Jacey Ross, Kenai

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.

  • David Cvancara, Anchorage
  • Luke Cvancara, Anchorage
  • Julia Ditto, Anchorage
  • Grant Klug, Anchorage
  • Maksim Mayer, Anchorage
  • Alice Michaelson, Anchorage
  • Karina Zyatitsky, Port Lions

Dr. Merritt C. Olson Scholarship

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

  • Javier Acuna, Anchorage
  • Cesar Quiroz, Anchorage

Professional Development of Volunteer Administrators

This scholarship promotes professional development of volunteer administrators and may include the costs of attending trainings and related expenses.

  • Holly Payne, Anchorage
  • Lori Pickett, Anchorage

Frank & Carol Pinkerton Orchestral String Instrument Scholarship

A scholarship fund to support talented and dedicated high school students in the advanced study of music at a recognized music school, college, or university – with an emphasis on supporting students of the violin, viola, cello, and string base.

  • Rose Crelli, Fairbanks

Wrangell and Sitka Scholarships

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

  • Michael Bekeris, Sitka
  • Walter Palof, Sitka
  • Kaysia Whitmill, Sitka
  • Blake Stokes, Wrangell
  • Amy Jenson, Wrangell
  • Matthew Gerald, Wrangell

Shayna Marie Pritchard Scholarship

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

  • Corin Cooper, Kenai
  • Thomas Cox, Nikisi

Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship

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

  • Melissa Allen, Anchorage

THS Patricia Roppel Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student who is either enrolled or intends to enroll at an accredited college and majoring in history, pursuing the study of Alaska.

  • Anne Ritgers, Fairbanks

Luella James Scholarship

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

  • Iris Anderson, Seward
  • Ronald Jackson, Seward
  • Michaela Osenga, Seward

Gary Martin Swim Scholarship

This is a scholarship awarded to Alaskan students entering or enrolled in colleges or trade schools who have been involved in competitive swimming at the high school level in Alaska.

  • Alyssa Hampton, Anchorage

Chef Cotter Scholarship

This scholarship was created to help Alaskan high school students looking to pursue secondary education towards a career in culinary arts or another hospitality or tourism industry profession.

  • Sarah Austin, Anchorage

Sven E. and Lorraine Eriksson Scholarship

This scholarship supports students pursuing music or engineering.

  • Amber Harvey, Fairbanks
  • Warattaya Suppayosamorn, Anchorage