Foundation for ESD Awards $254,000 in Post-Secondary Scholarships in 2023
The Foundation has awarded $254,000 in post-secondary scholarships to 71 graduating seniors from Edmonds Heights K-12, Edmonds Woodway High School, Lynnwood High School, Meadowdale High School, Mountlake Terrace High School, and Scriber Lake High School. In all, 100 donor-funded scholarships were awarded to students pursuing vocational, 2- and 4-year certificates or degrees next fall, the largest number of scholarships provided by the Foundation to date.
This year’s winner of the $10,000 Innovation Scholarship and the $4,000 Gaynelle Burdette Derr Memorial Scholarship is Nathaniel Ballard. Nathaniel has achieved great things all while overcoming injuries from a serious car accident, breaking his neck, sternum, and several other injuries, that prevented him from attending classes during his junior year of high school. He is the recipient of the Office of Naval Research Award for his work in aerospace through his CSRSEF project. He is an AP Honor student, Captain of the Varsity Tennis team, and Captain of the Speech and Debate Club at Mountlake Terrace High School. He has contributed to his school’s music fund by participating in small jazz combos. Nathaniel plans to continue his love for education by pursuing mechanical or aerospace engineering with a minor in music at Western Washington University.
The 2023 recipients of the Hazel and Morris Miller Memorial Scholarships ($3,000 – $5,000) are: Daaniya Junejo, Amna Janoo, Moses Martin, Sanjana Nath, Betiel Tesfatsion, Fekir Tesfaye, Isa Jallow, Josh Kretz, Edwin Romero Mendoza, Tamika Norris, Logan Tuttle, and Wisteria Ray.
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Mark Tiersma is this year’s recipient of the $6,000 Bumgarner Family Trust Scholarship. Ishwinderjit Natt is the recipient of this year’s $5,000 William Anderson III Memorial Scholarship. Annika Myers will receive the $4,000 Keith Ewing Memorial Scholarship. In partnership with the Edmonds School District’s Athlete Scholars program, 16 students received a Scholar-Athlete Award ranging from $1,000-$3,000.
The 2023 scholarship award season also includes several brand-new scholarships as part of the Foundation’s scholarship alliance. In partnership with the Lynnwood Rotary Club Foundation, eleven students will receive the Martha Lake Community / Lynnwood Rotary Club scholarship, ranging from $2,500 – $5,000. Tamara Lukic is the recipient of the Bernie Sigler Memorial Scholarship. In partnership with the Hubbard Family Foundation, 12 students will receive the Hubbard Family Foundation scholarship for $2,000.
Further new scholarships include the On-the-Job Training Program Scholarship, Reece Homes Scholarship, the Tyler Roberts Memorial Scholarship, the Caldart/Stadler Family Scholarship, and the McDevitt Family Earth Challenge Scholarship.
“I am amazed by the Class of 2023. They are a dedicated, intelligent, and tenacious group of young people,” says Deborah Brandi, Executive Director. “We are excited for the possibilities that lay before these students and the incredible things they will do for our community. We continue to be thankful for the families and donors who make these scholarships possible and who allow us to continue making educational dreams come true.”
A complete list of scholarship recipients can be found on the Foundation website at https://foundationesd.org/programs/student-scholarships/2023-scholarship-recipients/