2024 Scholarship recipients

2024 Scholarship Recipients

Meet The Scholarship Recipients

Perhaps as a lingering result of the many challenges, both academic and personal, caused by the Covid epidemic, there were fewer scholarship applicants in 2023 and 2024 than in previous years. These applicants, though, showed determination and grit in working to achieve a variety of educational goals. Whether their dreams were academic or vocational, these students were ready to accept the challenges of a changing world. The money available from our generous donors was not held back because the applicants were fewer this year; instead, FOCS reached out to Chimacum graduates from the past few years who are continuing to do well in college and still in need of financial support. Our community has good reason to be proud of all these Chimacum
graduates.

The Friends of Chimacum Schools Education Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 scholarships generously donated by our caring community. This year we are awarding a grand total of $106, 267.00 in scholarships. We congratulate these wonderful students and wish them continued success as they begin the next step of their educational journey.

Here are our winners from the class of 2024:

ABIGAYLE LISKE

Abigayle wrote in her scholarship application that “Throughout my life I have always tried to find the good in all situations that have affected me both positively and negatively.” This positive attitude has served her well, as numerous sports injuries and health problems have motivated her to work in the medical field. Understanding what patients are going through allows her to treat them with understanding and compassion. Abigayle plans on studying diagnostic medical sonography and later possibly radiology or sports medicine at Olympic College and then Tacoma Community College. She has been actively involved in community service projects and school clubs as well as playing volleyball, basketball, and soccer. Abigayle is the recipient of the $1,500 Ramsey-Jones Scholarship, and the $3,625 Chimacum Backpacks Scholarship.

LANE LISKE

Lane was described as his teachers as “a very positive, happy kid, one of those kids that when you say his name, you just smile!” A hard worker both in school, on the farm helping his family, and as an employee of Seton Construction, Lane has ambitious plans for his future. Fascinated by aviation since he was little, Lane plans to complete the necessary training to get his pilot’s license here at Jefferson County Airport. Once he has completed this training, Lane hopes to join the Coast Guard or the National Guard to get his helicopter license. His ultimate goal is to become a Medevac helicopter pilot, transporting patients to safety in their hours of greatest need. A true son of generations of his family raised in the Chimacum Valley, Lane will receive the In the Valley Near the Water Scholarship of $600, the $1,100 Chimacum Staff Payroll Scholarship and the $1,500 First Federal Scholarship.

REID MARTIN

A strong leader both on and off the playing field, Reid has been determined to make the most of every opportunity available to him at Chimacum Schools. While excelling in challenging advanced classes, band, and Knowledge Bowl, Reid has also been an outstanding athlete, qualifying for the State tournaments in both track and tennis. As student representative to the school board, Reid was an eloquent advocate for student concerns and was instrumental in creating a new policy on open campus for upper class students. His teachers praise him as “solid, creative, capable, and a strong leader who really applies himself in his work.” Reid credits his love of hiking and the outdoors to growing up in the Chimacum valley. He will continue this love of nature by studying Forestry at the University of Montana at Missoula. For his outstanding achievements, Reid will be receiving the $40,000 Ross and Claudine Roesler Memorial Scholarship ($10,00 yearly for four years), the $3,625 Chimacum Backpacks Scholarship, and the $2,500 Susan Phillips AP Scholarship.

DONOVAN RIVEL

Seeing Disney’s animated feature Cars as a child and sharing special moments with his grandpa who “brought me into the automotive world,” Donovan has been fascinated by cars and their mechanical challenges for as long as he can remember. This love of all things automotive will be fully realized when Donovan attends the Nascar Technical Institute this fall to train in their renowned CNC Program. His ultimate goal is to establish his own business where he not only delivers car parts to his customers, but also improves their design. Donovan described the first time he had the opportunity to race around the track at an official racing site as a “great feeling of freedom. I want to race more. I remember smiling the entire time!” Donovan’s dreams will be greatly helped by the $1,200 Norm Christie renewable STEM Scholarship, the $1,500 First Federal Scholarship, the $1000 Franson Trucking Scholarship, and the $1, 617 Henry Rogers Memorial Scholarship.

ELAINA ROGERS

“Resilient. Passionate about helping those in need. A strong work ethic. A willingness to learn. Courage in facing significant challenges.” Teachers noted that Elaina’s experiences were dramatically different from those of her peers. After struggling the first two years of high school with difficult personal challenges, Elaina did a dramatic turnaround and found the self-discipline and sense of purpose necessary to be successful in her studies. Showing compassion for those who struggle, Elaina plans to become an EMT and will study at Everett Community College. Her goal as an EMT is to help curtail the tragic fentanyl epidemic and to help the homeless, and eventually she hopes to continue her studies to become a doctor. Elaina has been awarded a $2000 Duke and Jeanne Shold renewable scholarship, the $500 AGK Carpenter’s Son Scholarship, and $500 from the Quilcene Lions.

AVA SHIFLETT

Growing up in the vibrant farming community of Chimacum has had a strong effect over the years on many CHS graduates, and Ava is no exception. Her experiences in working at Center Valley Animal Rescue and as a horse trainer and caretaker have motivated Ava to consider a major in biomedical science at Central Washington University with the ultimate goal of becoming a veterinarian and owning her own clinic one day. A talented and passionate soccer player who has played competitively all around the country, Ava is looking forward to competing for the CWU soccer team. Her teachers praise Ava for being super driven, very dedicated to what she loves, and mature beyond her years. Besides her academic and athletic strengths, Ava is also a talented artist who is very proud of her work being chosen for the annual Chimacum Crafts Fair poster. Ava will receive a $2000 Duke and Jeanne Shold renewable scholarship, the $6000 Mitch Black Memorial Scholarship, the $3,500 Truvedson Scholarship, and the $500 renewable Judy Gunter Memorial Scholarship.

JACOB TAYLOR

During his first two years of high school, Jacob would probably be the first to admit that he was anything but a model student. “I messed up at first, but I’m proud that I’m finishing up high school,” he said. Welding was what made the difference. After discovering welding as a vocational student at West Sound Tech, Jacob declared that his passion for welding projects, both practical and artistic, turned him around and gave him a direction for his future. His plan is to major in welding at Olympic College and to eventually buy a welding truck and own his own equipment so he can work independently on many different projects. Jacob’s teachers noted that “He has a really good heart, he’s kind, he has the potential for massive leadership.” Jacob has been awarded the $1500 Ramsey-Jones Scholarship, the $2000 Duke and Jeanne Shold Scholarship, and the $500 Greg Bolling Memorial Scholarship.

AND NOW THE WINNERS FROM THE CLASSES OF 2022 AND 2023:

RENEWABLE DUKE AND JEANNE SHOLD SCHOLARSHIPS:
For the past 16 years, Duke and Jeanne Shold have donated thousands of dollars to help our Chimacum students realize their academic and vocational dreams. To date, an incredible total of 114 Chimacum students have benefitted from the Sholds’ generosity. Here are this year’s recipients:

AVA AMOS: (2022): Another home-grown future vet, Ava is the recipient of a $2000 renewable Duke and Jeanne Shold Scholarship. Ava is currently studying veterinary science at Washington State University, where she is working at the veterinary teaching hospital and loving her studies.

MADISON BURGESS: (2023): Now completing her first year at the University of Washington, Madison is studying Aquatics and Fisheries. She will receive the second $2000 installment of her Duke and Jeanne Shold scholarship.

TANNER HADDENHAM: (2023): Tanner reports that he is loving his Criminal Justice classes at Central Washington University, and who wouldn’t, with titles like “Murder and Mass Mayhem in the U.S.”?! Tanner will receive another $2000 Shold Scholarship.

HALEY MORRISON: (2020): Another outstanding Chimacum graduate specializing in animal science, Haley has finished her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology in the Honors Program at Washington State University and has been accepted into the veterinary school there. In addition to her $2000 renewable Shold Scholarship, Haley will also receive a continuing $2000 scholarship from Jeff and Marcia Harris.

MARIA POWELL (2023): Majoring in jazz studies at the University of North Texas, Maria is excited at the many opportunities she has had to play with professional musicians at her school. Maria will receive another $2000 from the Sholds.

MICAJAH SHIFLETT (2022): Chimacum has produced yet another promising veterinary candidate in Micajah, who is currently enrolled in zoology and pre-veterinary classes at Washington State University and receiving excellent grades. He will receive another $2000 Shold Scholarship.

ALYSSA VANDENBERG (2023): A talented athlete who was recruited for the basketball and softball teams at Centralia College, Alyssa is currently enrolled in the highly competitive nursing program there. She will be helped in her studies by another $2000 from the Sholds.

THE $40,000 ROSS AND CLAUDINE ROESLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:

This scholarship honors the legacy of Ross and Claudine Roesler, longtime residents of Port Ludlow. Claudine was a philanthropist who was especially interested in enhancing medical care and support for patients and their families, and for supporting the students of Chimacum High School. She gifted nearly one million dollars to the Harrison Medical Center Foundation as well as to Jefferson Healthcare and Chimacum Schools. This generous scholarship guarantees students a $10,00 award for each year of their successful undergraduate programs for a total of four years. In addition to this year’s winner, REID MARTIN, the following students will receive an additional $10,000 this year:

CONNOR PATERSON (2023): Connor is currently completing his first year at UC Davis, where he is receiving excellent grades in his major of mechanical engineering.

AVA VAUGHN-MIFSUD (2022): Committed to developing sustainability in farming practices, Ava is majoring in business and environmental studies at the University of Washington.

JESSE WATSON (2021): Jesse will enter his final year at Washington State University, where he is majoring in computer engineering and loving his studies.

THE $10,000 FOCS ANONYMOUS SCHOLARSHIP:

The FOCS scholarship committee was surprised and delighted this year to receive a generous $10,000 check from an anonymous donor, to dispense as we thought best. The committee decided to disburse the funds to the following students, with many thanks to this mysterious donor:

MADISON BURGESS (2023): Madison will receive $2000 from FOCS to continue her studies in Aquatics and Fisheries at the University of Washington.

VIOLA PHILLIPS-FRANK (2023): Delighting in her involvement in sailing, choir, and student government during her first year at the University of California Berkley, Viola is majoring in environmental science with a minor in history. She will receive $1,500.

TANNER HADDENHAM (2023): Tanner will receive $1,500 from FOCS as he begins his second year studying Criminal Justice at Central Washington University.

MARIA POWELL (2023): An additional $1500 from FOCS goes to Maria to continue her music studies at the University of North Texas.

JACOB RICHARDSON (2023): Fascinated by the potential of cell manipulation to improve the quality of the earth’s food sources, Jacob is majoring in microbiology at the University of Washington. He will receive $2000 from FOCS.

LOUELLE ROWAN (2023): Luelle is currently completing her undergraduate requirements at Olympic College before transferring to the University of Washington, where she will major in criminology. She hopes to one day have a career with the FBI. Louelle will receive $1500 from FOCS.

Thank you!

The Friends of Chimacum Schools Education Foundation congratulates the students of the class of 2024 as well as students from previous years who are continuing their post-high school studies. These young people have worked hard, overcome difficult challenges, and demonstrated creativity and strength in achieving their goals. We wish our CHS graduates all the best as they pursue their dreams!

FOCS is so grateful to the teachers, administrators, school board members, staff, family, and community members who have been so supportive of all these students. A very special thank you goes to our amazing donors, whose generous support changes lives and nourishes our community.