The North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) has awarded a total of $157,300 in scholarships to 32 graduating seniors from North Thurston Public Schools.

Scholarship awards range from $1,900 to $14,000 and were based on a comprehensive evaluation of academic achievement, school and community involvement, references, the quality of a personal essay, and financial need.

Named and Endowed Scholarships

Each year, NTEF awards a combination of Foundation-funded and named endowed scholarships. The following students received 2025 scholarship awards:

Alex Ward Memorial Scholarship – Denny Nguyen, North Thurston High School
Amarah Kendall Memorial Scholarship – To be announced
Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship – Noah Deligeannis, Timberline High School
Charles E. Callahan Education Scholarship – Kevin Johnson, River Ridge High School
Dr. G. Sue Shannon Memorial Scholarship – Jacob Caperon, River Ridge High School
Ethel & Vaughan Philpot Scholarship – Elhadj Toure, River Ridge High School

Firefighters Lacey Fire L2903 “Drive for Education” Scholarships:

• Jaiden Buchmann, Timberline High School

• Asly Ordonez, Timberline High School

• Keleilane Doreen Naputi, River Ridge High School

• Leian Dela Cruz, River Ridge High School

• Makayla Burns, North Thurston High School

• Keegan Clemons, North Thurston High School

Frank Parker Memorial Scholarship – Nathan Pham, Timberline High School
Friendship Family Scholarship – Julia De La Cruz, River Ridge High School
Gillis Breaking Barrier Scholarship – Heidi Adkins, Timberline High School
James Koval Memorial Scholarship – Hailey Pfeiffer, Timberline High School
Jeannette Hostetter Ford Memorial Scholarship – Aidan Ganey, Timberline High School
John Gott Education Scholarship – Lawrence Joseph Balajadia, North Thurston High School

Lewis R. & Edna C. Hawthorne Scholarships:

• Marlene Ojeda Haros, North Thurston High School

• Emma  Anderson, North Thurston High School

• ShayLynn Craighead, Timberline High School

• Isabella Phelps, Timberline High School

Lisa Corwin Memorial Scholarship – Celine Joseph, River Ridge High School
Nicholas T. Walker Scholarship – Brayden Smith, Timberline High School
Porter Scholarship for Hope – Abby Hancock, Timberline High School
Rahman Family Scholarship – Lillian Stephens, River Ridge High School
Roy Pedersen Memorial Scholarship – Eli Andino, Timberline High School
Sharon Labuda Memorial Scholarship – Christina Gothro, Timberline High School
Sharon Thomas Memorial Scholarship – Aurora Melotti, Timberline High School
Skip Scoggin Memorial Scholarship – Man Quach, North Thurston High School
Supporting Women in STEM Scholarship – Tlalli Ruiz, Timberline High School
Violet Davies Vocational-Technical Scholarship – Aaron Stuckey, River Ridge High School

North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) is calling on the community to join our mission to keep North Thurston Public School students warm this winter by donating new coats in all sizes. We aim to collect 1,000 coats to ensure that every student in need has access to essential winter clothing as temperatures continue to drop.

Throughout the year, NTEF partners with local businesses to provide drop-off locations for donations. These partnerships enable us to meet the growing needs of students facing economic challenges in our community. Right now, as nighttime temperatures hover near freezing, the demand for warm winter coats is greater than ever.

NTEF is a Lacey-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing resources to enrich student programs, meet basic needs, and enhance educational opportunities across North Thurston Public Schools. We envision a school system where every student, regardless of background or financial status, has the resources to thrive and reach their full potential.

The Need
North Thurston Public Schools currently serves nearly 14,600 students, with an increasing number identified as vulnerable. Last school year alone, 1,024 students were classified as homeless, and 44% (6,469 students) qualified for free and reduced-price meals. These figures have risen significantly, underscoring the critical role of community support in meeting the needs of our children.

How You Can Help
Anyone can help by donating a new winter coat in any size—or a warm hoodie for teens in adult sizes—at any of our partner drop-off locations:

• Vert Chiropractic: 4444 Lacey Blvd SE, Lacey, WA 98503 (open during business hours)
• Lacey South Sound Chamber: 3925 8th Ave SE Suite C, Lacey, WA 98503 (Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
• 4th Dimension Computers: 3315 Pacific Ave Suite B2, Olympia, WA 98501 (open during business hours)
• Café Elite:130 Marvin Rd SE Ste 130, Lacey, WA 98503 (anytime open)

For questions or to arrange a donation drop-off directly, please get in touch with Deanna East, NTEF Executive Director, at [email protected].

New Coats for Kids Drive: Helping Students and Families Stay Warm this Winter

Quick Details:

• Who: North Thurston Education Foundation
• What: New Coats for Kids Drive
• When: November 11 – December 20, 2024
• Donations: Donate here

Dear Friends,

August is Make A Will Month, and it’s a great time to think about planning for the future. You might think that writing a will is only for people with lots of money or property, but that’s not true at all. A will is important for many reasons and does much more than just deciding who gets your belongings.

You might also believe that if your family knows what you want, you don’t need a will. However, without a will, a court will make decisions based on local laws, which can lead to delays and extra costs. It’s better to have your wishes clearly written down.

In addition to taking care of your loved ones, this is your opportunity to support the causes that matter to you. Please consider making a legacy gift to the North Thurston Education Foundation. Your support makes a huge difference in the lives of our homeless and low-income students, helping them get the basic needs and resources necessary for success in school.

To learn more and start your will, visit Leave 10 South Sound. Making a will is a small step that can make a big difference for the people and causes you care about.

Thank you for supporting the North Thurston Education Foundation and for thinking about your legacy.

Best wishes,
Deanna East
Executive Director
North Thurston Education Foundation
[email protected]
(360) 628-3281

P.S. If you have already made arrangements for a planned gift, please let us know by
completing this form and let us know if you would like to be listed on our website in our FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION

North Thurston Education Foundations Tax ID #: 91-1433235

Update: Sue Shannon, founding member and longtime Executive Director of North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF), passed away in May. Her Memorial Service will be held on October 5 at 2 p.m. at Olympia First Baptist Church, 9th & Washington. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to a fund in her name here https://bit.ly/3Vm4e6L

The North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) mourns the passing of Dr. G. Sue Shannon, a driving force behind its inception and success. Sue was integral to the Foundation from its earliest days, joining the organizing effort in 1988 and becoming the Volunteer Executive Director when NTEF was officially established in 1990. She remained in this role until her retirement in 2016.

Sue Shannon’s dedication and vision were instrumental in shaping NTEF into one of the first foundations committed to removing barriers for students and empowering them to change their futures. Her tireless work transformed countless lives, leaving an enduring legacy within the community. Sue’s guiding presence will be profoundly missed, but her spirit of compassion and commitment will continue to inspire and propel NTEF forward.

Before passing in May 2024, Sue was actively involved in raising $100,000 for Student Assistance Grants. Sue wrote in her last email to the NTEF committee, “Student Assistance Grants is descriptive and ties to the Foundation history. We started that program in the early years as one of the major purposes of the Foundation. The list of items (below) are the types of things we [funded].” – Sue Shannon, May 20, 2024.

• Instrument rentals
• Special needs equipment
• Medications
• Glasses
• Clothing, shoes, and coats
• Socks and underwear
• Testing fees
• Backpacks and school supplies
• Athletic fees or ASB cards
• Sports camps
• Food
• Uniforms or cleats
• Hygiene supplies
• Field trip fees
• Class fees
• Chromebook repairs
• Credit retrieval classes
• ID and birth certificates
• Gas cards

To honor Sue’s legacy, the NTEF Committee will continue this fundraising project in her memory. Donations to the Sue Shannon Memorial Fund will support Student Assistance Grants, providing crucial resources to students in need.

Donations can be made here:

https://bit.ly/3Vm4e6L

The North Thurston Education Foundation has awarded scholarships with a total value of $128,500 to 24 graduating seniors from North Thurston Public Schools.

Scholarships awarded range from $2,500 to $14,000. The NTEF Scholarship Committee evaluated applications on several factors, including academic achievement, school and community activities, references, quality of the required essay and financial need.

The following graduating seniors received this year’s awards:

Named Scholarships: The scholarship program includes designated named endowed scholarships and Foundation-funded scholarships.

In 2024, 24 named scholarships were awarded to the following students:

Alex Ward Memorial Scholarship – Joshua Valerlo, North Thurston High School

Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship – Vanessa Leavitt, Timberline High School

Charles E. Callahan Education Scholarship – Megan Jackson, Envision Career Academy

Colton Thorstrom Smith Scholarship – Victoria Cabo-Schultz, River Ridge High School

Lisa Corwin Memorial Scholarship – Aylana Young, North Thurston High School

Davies Vocational-Technical Scholarship – Karen Ayala-Dominguez, River Ridge High School

Frank Parker Memorial Scholarship – Brandon Fogleman, Timberline High School

Friendship and Family Scholarship – Jaydn Kress, Timberline High School

James Koval Memorial Scholarship – Ashley Ackerson, Timberline High School

Jeannette Hostetter Ford Memorial Scholarship – Benjamin McElroy, Summit

John Gott Education Scholarship – Ariana Jackson, Timberline High School

Roy Pedersen Memorial Scholarship – Ryan Crowley, Timberline High School

Dr. G. Sue Shannon Scholarship – Ariel Searcy, River Ridge High School

Nicholas T. Walker Scholarship – Caitlin Grygorcewicz, Timberline High School

Ethel & Vaughn F. Philpot Scholarship – Tan Mai, Timberline High School

Rahman Family Scholarship – Alexander McElroy, Summit

Gillis Breaking Barrier Scholarship – Susanne Le, River Ridge High School

Porter Scholarship for Hope – Jersie Hendrickson, Timberline High School

Skip Scoggin in Scholarship – Elijah Yoshioka, North Thurston High School

Supporting Women in STEM Scholarship – Paige Wood, Timberline High School

Lewis R. Hawthorne & Edna C. Hawthorne Scholarships –

• Isaac Perez Osuna, Timberline High School
• Da’Laijha Tate, Timberline High School
• Karla Bazail, North Thurston High School
• Preceise Anvia Koto, North Thurston High School

To view a list of scholarship establishment history and details, visit: https://ntef.org/special-named-endowed-scholarships/

In North Thurston Public Schools, many students face the daily challenge of attending classes without basic necessities like toothpaste or enough food. The McGimpsey Pantries program, initiated in 2007 and named after local philanthropists John and Opal McGimpsey, has been a lifeline for these students.

Born from their humble beginnings during the Great Depression, John, a proud veteran who served his country during World War II, and Opal, a beacon of strength during the Dust Bowl era, understood firsthand the struggles of going without. Their experiences fueled a deep-seated desire to make a difference, particularly for the youth in their community.

Initially funded by the McGimpsey’s with $700,000 over three years, the program provides essential supplies like school materials, toiletries, clothing, and food to homeless and underprivileged students in North Thurston Public Schools. Today, every school in the district has a McGimsey Pantry and access to NTEF Student Assistance Funds which support students on Free/Reduced Lunch Program with educational opportunities like class/credit recovery fees, ASB cards for sport participation or music rentals. With approximately 6,300 students qualifying for free and reduced lunch and over 900 experiencing homelessness last year, the need is profound. 

Following the wishes of the McGimpsey’s—John, who passed away in 2014, and Opal, who passed away in 2015—the North Thurston Education Foundation utilized their generous gift to support students in need and ensure no students went hungry. However, the funds have now been fully expended, yet the demand for support remains as pressing as ever. We urgently need your help to ensure that we can continue providing essential assistance to these students. Your contribution can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.

The McGimpsey Pantry and Student Assistance Program is a vital resource for our homeless and low-income students, providing them with the basic necessities they need to thrive and access to programs that charge for participation. It’s not just about meeting physical needs; it’s about ensuring that students have the resources required to focus on their education without the burden of hunger, inadequate hygiene, or financial constraints limiting their participation. Equitable access to all educational programs and support is crucial to ending the cycle of poverty.

The needs of our students persist and continue to grow. Every student deserves a safe environment to learn, grow, and access to education for a brighter future. We urgently seek your help to ensure that every student, regardless of their circumstances, has the tools they need to succeed. Your support today will have a lasting impact on the lives of countless students tomorrow. Join us in honoring the spirit of compassion and generosity embodied by John and Opal McGimpsey. Learn more about how you can contribute to the McGimpsey Pantries program and help us continue their remarkable legacy at Student Assistance Grants – North Thurston Education Foundation (ntef.org).