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. Preference is given to a student who is pursuing a career in the field of education.

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)

Gillis Breaking Barriers Scholarship

The $2,500 Gillis Breaking Barriers Scholarship is donated to a student who a) has established educational or vocational goals and demonstrated the work ethic to pursue those goals in high school and 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 Degree or specialized technical certificate requiring two years to complete. 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. (For a total of $5,000)

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 is awarded to a graduate who will be pursuing post-secondary vocational-technical studies. This scholarship is $2,000 for two years for a total of $4,000.

The Mary P. Dolciani Scholarship    

Dr. Mary P. Dolciani was a gifted mathematician, educator and author. She wrote high school mathematics textbooks that have been translated into several languages and millions of copies sold worldwide. She was known as a “Master Teacher”. She taught at Vassar College and taught at Hunter College, City University of New York, for over thirty years. She held numerous academic appointments and recognitions. The following were named in her honor: The Mary P. Dolciani Mathematics Learning Center at Hunter College, The Mary P. Dolciani Mathematical Center in Washington, D.C., The Mary P. Dolciani Professor of Mathematics at Hunter College, Project NExT Dolciani Fellows, the Dolciani Mathematics Enrichment Grants, and numerous scholarships for graduating high school seniors. She and her husband, James Halloran, established the Mary P. Dolciani Halloran Foundation which supports mathematics education, education, and civic projects. There are two scholarships:

1. The first scholarship will go to a student from River Ridge High School. Student must have a GPA of 3.8 or higher and participate in football, track or band. This scholarship will award $6,000 for one year.
2. The second scholarship will be awarded to a student with a 3.6 GPA and must be enrolled in STEM classes and an interest in pursuing STEM or teaching mathematics. This scholarship will award $4,000 for one year.

Friendship and 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 $2000 scholarship (renewable for a second year) will be awarded to a Timberline High School female or female-identifying student who will attend a 2-year or 4-year, or trade school in Washington state, has financial need and at least a 2.0 GPA. Preference will be given to a student who is Indigenous or a person of color. This $2000 scholarship will be awarded to a Timberline HS female or female-identifying student who is Indigenous or a person of color and will attend a 2-year, 4-year, or trade school in Washington state with a preference for financial need and at least a 2.0 GPA. This scholarship is renewable for the second year of studies in the amount of $2,000 (for a total of $4,000).

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.

Lewis R. Hawthorne & Edna C. Hawthorne Scholarships

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 the 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.

2:  a student attending a community college enrolled in a course of study leading to an associate’s 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’s degree or completion of the two-year certificate program.

Jeannette Hostetter Ford Memorial Scholarship

The Jeannette Hostetter Ford Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of a former teacher, Jeannette Ford. This one-year scholarship provides $2,500 to support the education of a graduating senior who intends to pursue a career in education or history.

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 to a graduating senior for post-secondary education.

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 who intends to pursue coursework with a math or science focus who will attend 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.

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. At least one $2,500 scholarship will be awarded annually.

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 serious medical condition, homelessness, or other challenges during high school. This scholarship 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 a Washington state community college or an accredited vocational or trade school leading to an Associate degree or a specialized technical certificate requiring two years to complete. This scholarship is renewable. To receive the second–year award, the student must be making satisfactory progress toward the completion of their degree or certification. This scholarship is not dependent upon GPA or class rank.

Ethel and Vaughan F. Philpot Scholarship

The Ethel and Vaughan Philpot Scholarship was established in honor of Ethel and Vaughan Philpot. Ethel was from a family of 11 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. The Ethel and Vaughan Philpot Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in Visual Arts, Engineering, or vocational school certification.

Rahman Family Scholarship

Kamran is an Olympia-native, who attended Meadows Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Lacey Elementary, Chinook Middle, and North Thurston High School. As a technologist and entrepreneur, he wants to see North Thurston cultivate youth who wish to impact the world through technology. For a North Thurston High School student, in the amount of $2,500.

Skip Scoggin 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 scholarship is in the amount of $2,500 and is only available to graduating seniors from North Thurston High School.

Craig A. Shanafelt Scholarship

The Craig A. Shanafelt Scholarship was established in memory of Craig A. Shanafelt, who worked his entire career in the North Thurston Public Schools. He dedicated his life to the children in his classroom as a teacher and later in his schools as the principal at Olympic View, Mountain View, and Lakes Elementary. The Craig A. Shanafelt Scholarship, in the amount of $2,500, will be awarded to a graduating NTPS senior intending to pursue a career in teaching.

Dr. G. Sue Shannon 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. At least one $2,500 scholarship will be awarded annually.

Colton Thorstrom Smith Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2018 in memory of Colton Thorstrom Smith, a River Ridge High School Student who died tragically in a car accident in 2017. One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded annually.

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 scholarship is based on significant financial need and is renewable for a second year if the student requests it and maintains satisfactory academic progress. $2,500 per year for two years, totaling $5,000. 

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, the scholarship shall be awarded to an eligible graduating senior, with preference given to a Timberline applicant.

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 scholarship may be used for any certified post-secondary course of study, vocational or academic. The initial scholarship shall be for $2,000. With evidence of success each year, the Alex Ward Memorial Scholarship is renewable for $1,750 a year for three additional years, for a total of $7,250. This scholarship is only available to graduating seniors from North Thurston High School. Primary consideration will be given to individuals who participated in sports while at NTHS and demonstrated good leadership qualities.

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.

The Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $2,500, will be awarded annually to an eligible graduating senior who intends to attend a community college or four-year institution that is located outside the State of Washington.