Alex Ward Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established as a memorial to Alex Ward, whose career as a student in the North Thurston Public Schools began in kindergarten at South Bay Elementary, continued through Chinook Middle School and culminated at North Thurston High School. Alex was an outstanding athlete and a friend to all.

This $2,000 scholarship is only available to graduating seniors from North Thurston High School planning to attend any certified post-secondary course of study, vocational or academic.  The scholarship is renewable with evidence of success each year for three additional years at $1,750. Primary consideration will be given to individuals who participated in sports while at NTHS and demonstrated good leadership qualities. (VALUE = $7250)

Amarah Kendall Memorial Scholarship

Lakes Elementary students of Ms. Barr’s 5th grade class in 2017-18 tragically lost their classmate Amarah Kendall. In loving memory of Amarah, this scholarship honors her passion for music and art, which she joyfully shared with others. Amarah was known for her kindness and creativity, often teaching her classmates how to draw.

This one-year, $3,000 merit-based scholarship supports a graduating senior from North Thurston Public Schools who attended Ms. Barr’s 5th grade class in 2017-18 and is continuing their education in a field inspired by their high school studies. Eligible applicants must plan to attend a two- or four-year college degree or a certified vocational program.

This scholarship ensures that Amarah’s love for learning and artistic spirit live on by supporting students in achieving their dreams. (VALUE = $3000)

Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established as a memorial to Bill Williams, who served on the North Thurston Public School Board for over 25 years and served on the board of NTEF. Throughout and following his career as a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the State of Washington, Bill supported education. The Foundation was one of many educational organizations Bill served. He was passionate about NTEF and held several positions on the Executive Board. Bill’s contributions were vital to the Foundation’s success.

This one-year $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to an eligible graduating senior who intends to attend a community college or four-year institution that is located outside the State of Washington. The committee will look at merit, then consider financial need. (VALUE = $2500)

Charles E Callahan Education Scholarship

The Charles E. Callahan Educational Scholarship was established in memory of Charles E. Callahan, the first superintendent of the North Thurston School District. Mr. Callahan was passionate about providing quality education to all students and building a strong school district dedicated to educational excellence. The amount of this one-year scholarship is $2,500 to a graduating NTPS senior planning to attend post-secondary college or university, that shows both merit and demonstrates need. Preference is given to a student who is pursuing a career in the field of education.  (VALUE = $2500)

Dr. G Sue Shannon Memorial Scholarship

Dr. G. Sue Shannon was one of the founding members of NTEF and the first Executive Director, serving in that position for 27 years. Upon her retirement, NTEF established the Dr. G. Sue Shannon Scholarship to honor her vision, years of dedication and commitment to NTEF. This one-year scholarship for $2,500 will be awarded to a student planning to attend a community college or four-year institution in Washington State and demonstrates financial need.    (VALUE = $2500)

Ethel & Vaughan Philpot Scholarship

This scholarship was established in honor of Ethel and Vaughan Philpot. Ethel was from a family of eleven siblings and immigrated to the USA in 1947. Due to WW2, she had to give up pursuing an art degree and instead worked in a munitions factory, where she excelled. This proved invaluable as she went to work for CBS in 1954. Vaughan grew up in a small town in Maine and met Ethel in England. Instead of graduating from high school, he joined the Army in 1942. After his military service, he graduated from Franklin Institute of Technology with a degree in drafting. Later he worked for Boeing, where he manufactured the actual products engineers designed.

This one-year scholarship of $2500 will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in Visual Arts, Engineering, or vocational school certification, based on merit. (VALUE = $2500)

Firefighters- Lacey Fire L2903 “Drive For Education” Scholarship

The Lacey Fire Department’s Local 2903 established the “Drive For Education” Scholarship to support students planning to enter the skilled trades. This scholarship offers $2,000 one-year awards to two graduating seniors each from Timberline High School (THS), River Ridge High School (RRHS), and North Thurston High School (NTHS) for a total of six scholarships. Eligibility Criteria:

• Students must be planning to attend a trade or vocational school after graduation.
• Applicants should be actively involved in extracurricular activities, such as sports, clubs, community outreach, or volunteering, or have held a job or internship while in high school.
• While the donor prefers applicants with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.4, students outside this range are encouraged to apply.

This scholarship seeks to recognize students with a commitment to their education and community, offering them support as they pursue careers in the trades. (VALUE = $2000)

Frank Parker Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established as a memorial to Frank Parker. A true renaissance man, Parker was a US Navy pilot, electrical engineer, musician, lover of outdoor pursuits and a great raconteur. As the owner of Parko Electronics, his creativity and superior problem-solving skills enabled him to contribute to the success of NASA’s Apollo Project. (Some of the parts he designed are currently resting on the moon as part of the Apollo landing.)

This scholarship is for a student with a 3.5 GPA or above, demonstrates financial need, who intends to pursue coursework with a math or science focus at a two or four-year college or university. This scholarship is for $2000, but with evidence of success each year, the scholarship is renewable for $1,750 each year for three years, to total $7,250. (VALUE= $7250)

Friendship-Family Scholarship

This scholarship was established by a group of female friends who consider themselves family. Their long-lasting friendship has shown them the importance of meaningful relationships and chosen family. Sharing the positivity they have gained from their own “Friendship Family,” these women are excited to give back to our community. This $3,000 one-year scholarship will be awarded to a female or female-identifying senior who will attend a 2-year, 4-year, or trade school in Washington State, demonstrates financial need, and has at least a 2.0 GPA. Preference will be given to an Indigenous student or a student of color. (VALUE = $3000)

Gillis Breaking Barrier Scholarship

The $2,500 Gillis Breaking Barriers Scholarship is donated to a student who:

1. a) Has established educational or vocational goals and demonstrated the work ethic to pursue those goals in high school and
2. b) Has a significant need, that, without financial support, would likely not reach those goals.

This scholarship can be applied towards the costs of attending a Washington State community college, or an accredited vocational or trade school leading to an Associate’s Degree or specialized technical certificate requiring two years to complete. (VALUE = $2,500)

James Koval Memorial Scholarship

The James Koval Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Dr. James Koval, former superintendent of the North Thurston Public Schools to recognize his leadership and service to the district. The one-year scholarship provides $2,500 will be awarded to a student planning to attend a community college, or four-year institution in Washington State and demonstrates financial need.   (VALUE = $2500)

Jeannette Hostetter Ford Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in honor of a former teacher, Jeannette Ford. Hoping to inspire future teachers, this one-year scholarship provides $3,000 to support the education of a graduating senior with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, who intends to pursue a career in education or history.  If no education or history applicant is available, a science related field will be considered. (VALUE = $3000)

John Gott Education Scholarship

The John Gott Educational Scholarship was established in honor of Dr. John Gott, former Superintendent of North Thurston School District, upon his retirement in 1991. The one-year scholarship provides $1,000 with potential renewals of $1,000 for three additional years (for a total of $4,000) upon evidence of continuing academic success. This scholarship is intended to support the education of a graduating senior who is pursuing a career in education and demonstrate financial need. Eligible applicants must plan to attend a two- or four-year college degree. (VALUE = $4000)

Lewis R Hawthorne & Edna C Hawthorne Scholarship

These scholarships were established by a bequest from the estate of Lewis R. Hawthorne and Edna C. Hawthorne, Lacey residents whose nephew and niece taught at North Thurston High School and Timberline High School, respectively. Pursuant to the terms of their bequest, four scholarships will be awarded each year: two to a graduating senior from North Thurston High School and two to a graduating senior from Timberline High School. These scholarships are intended for students who, without scholarships, are at a greater risk of not pursuing post-secondary education.

Each school will receive a scholarship awarded to:

1:  A student attending a four-year college or university. This scholarship will be awarded to support the recipients’ first year at an in-state public institution and includes tuition and mandatory fees. (VALUE = Tuition and mandatory fees for 1 year)

 

2:  A student attending a community college enrolled in a course of study leading to an associate degree or a specialized technical certificate requiring two years to complete. To receive the second-year award, the student must be making satisfactory progress toward an associate degree or completion of the two-year certificate program. This scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees.  (VALUE = Tuition and mandatory fees for 2 years)

Lisa Corwin Memorial Scholarship

The Lisa Corwin Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Lisa Corwin, a graduate of North Thurston High School, and provides a $1,250 scholarship, with potential renewals of $1,250 a year for an additional three years (for a total of $5,000) upon evidence of continuing success in college. Priority is given to applications to colleges/universities outside of the 13 Western states. (Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico) Eligible applicants must plan to attend a two- or four-year college degree. The committee will look at both merit and financial need.  (VALUE = $5000)

Nicholas T Walker Scholarship

The Nicholas T. Walker Scholarship was established in 2017 by Carol and James Brewer in memory of their son, Nicholas T. Walker. Nick was a 1984 graduate of Timberline High School who died tragically in a boating accident in 1987. While attending Timberline High School, Nick played soccer, basketball, and golf. An avid fisherman and photographer, Nick was also interested in journalism and fish and wildlife.

This $2,500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating senior from North Thurston Public Schools. Preference will be given to a Timberline High School applicant who shares Nick’s interests in journalism, photography, or fish and wildlife. Secondary consideration will be given to an applicant from River Ridge High School who shares these interests. Absent an applicant from any district high school who shares these interests, preference with given to a Timberline applicant that demonstrates financial need. (VALUE = $2500)

Porter Scholarship for Hope

The $2500 Porter Scholarship for Hope was established by the Porter family to support the resilience of youth who have experienced a grave medical condition, homeless, or other challenges during high school.  This will be awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates a strong work ethic and a determination to pursue future educational, vocational or career goals, and plans to attend:

1. Washington State community college,
2. In-state college/university,
3. Accredited vocational or trade school leading to an Associate Degree,
4. Specialized technical certificate requiring two years to complete

This scholarship is not dependent upon GPA or class rank, only on financial need. (VALUE = $2500)  

Rahman Family Scholarship

Kamran Rahman really struggled in high school and barely graduated. The Rahman Family established this scholarship to be an example that you can still pursue higher education even if you don’t feel like you’ll make it.

This one-year $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student that demonstrates financial need and entering the field of technology or STEM at a community college, four- year institution, a technical school, or an accredited certification program.   (VALUE = $1000)

Roy Pedersen Memorial Scholarship

NTEF established this scholarship in memory of Dr. Roy Pedersen, former associate superintendent in North Thurston Public Schools, to recognize his vision and leadership in creating the Foundation. This one-year scholarship for $2,500 will be awarded to a student planning to attend a community college or four-year institution in Washington State and demonstrates financial need.  (VALUE = $2500)

Sharon Labuda Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in memory of Sharon Labuda, a dedicated THS counselor from 1987 to 2023. Her greatest love was for the students she worked with. This one-year $1,900 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Timberline student planning to attend a 2-year, 4-year, or vocational/trade school in Washington State and demonstrates financial need. (VALUE = $1900)

Sharon Thomas Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in memory of Sharon Thomas who was one of the teachers that helped open Timberline High School. Sharon had served as an administrator, an ELA teacher, and even won teacher of the year from both Timberline and NTEA. This one-year $1,900 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Timberline student planning to attend a 2-year, 4-year, or vocational/trade school in Washington State and demonstrates financial need. (VALUE = $1900)

Skip Scoggin Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established as a memorial to Skip Scoggin, who was not only a student of North Thurston Public Schools but a football coach for over twenty-five years at North Thurston High School. His love for the game of football and for the students of his alma mater never wavered. He was a coach not only on the field but in life. His friends, players and co-workers will always remember his dedication to the game of football and his love for the community. He was a leader, a good friend and a hard worker.

This $2,500 scholarship is only available to graduating seniors from North Thurston High School that played sports in high school and demonstrates financial need. May be planning to attend community college, four- year institution, a technical/trade school, or an accredited certification program. (VALUE = $2500)

Supporting Women in STEM Scholarship

This scholarship was established to support a graduating female NTPS student who will attend a 2 or 4-year college/university and intends to earn a degree in a STEM-related field (science, technology, engineering, or math).  This $2,500 scholarship is based on significant financial need and is renewable for a second year if the student requests it and maintains satisfactory academic progress. (VALUE = $5000)

Violet Davies Vocational-Technical Scholarship

The Davies Vocational-Technical Scholarship was established as a memorial to Violet Davies, a former high school teacher. The scholarship is funded by Violet Davies’ generous bequest and awards $2,000 to a graduating senior who will be pursuing post-secondary vocational-technical studies and demonstrates financial need. This scholarship can be renewed for a second year if the student has successfully completed the first year’s requirements of the chosen two-year program. (VALUE = $4000)