Changing Lives

I was awarded the Doug Pride Scholarship in 2007 and used it toward my undergraduate degree in Communication from Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. I graduated in 2011 and continued my education at the University of Washington earning a Master in Public Health. The support from the Doug Pride Scholarship allowed me to focus on my studies while also volunteering with university events, extra circular actives and work/study abroad programs.

After earning my masters I went on to work for the Washington State Department of Health and most currently as a Social Marketing Partner at Group Health Cooperative. Without the support from the scholarship program I would not have had the opportunities that shaped much of my undergraduate experience and opened doors thereafter.

Being a recipient of the Rotary scholarship offered me the opportunity to view the world on a much grander scale. I now have a wider perspective that continues to grow through experience and time. Rotary gave me the chance to study Global Health and International Studies at the University of Washington after spending a year volunteering abroad.

Both the time abroad and my studies allowed me to recognize how the world ‘works’ on a larger scale and where I should be. Rotary’s motto of service above self has been something I have tried to live by, and the opportunity to study at a collegiate level has reinforced those concepts.

It is with great humility and appreciation that I accept the Marv Workman Business Scholarship for the 2016-17 academic year at the University of Washington Bothell; to be chosen out of so many students who I am sure exhibit many wonderful qualities is a genuine honor. It is difficult to find words to express the positive effect that your decision has on my life, but I will do my best to try.

My parents taught me the value of perseverance, determination, and compassion at a young age. Without those lessons, I do not believe I would have accomplished the goals I set for myself over the last two years. I am a self-supporting, non-traditional student who is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Accounting with the intention of completing the CPA exam before the end of 2017. My academic career presented me with obstacles, both financial and personal, and I am grateful to say I overcame them with the help of my family, fellow students, and community. You are a part of the community I am proud to call home.

This award provides me with the ability to complete my final school year with a smaller financial burden. I am able to focus my time and energy on making this year the best year of my academic career. The scholarship allows me to work less, opening up more time to study. Focusing on completing my degree with honors would not have been possible without your support. It also relieves the burden of taking out additional loans while completing my degree. A future benefit of the award is being able to be debt-free sooner, which is a huge struggle for many students.

Your assistance also lets me spend more time giving back to the community through my involvement with Beta Alpha Psi. I believe that giving to those who need it most is the thread that holds communities together. I am so happy to be able to have more with organizations such as Mary’s Place, United Way, Relay for Life, SaGE, and Friends of North Creek Forest. My freedom to help others will impact so many individuals, so I also want to thank you on their behalf.

It is with a full heart, and a full backpack, that I express my gratitude to everyone who runs the foundation that chose me to receive the Marv Workman Business Scholarship. You have truly made a difference in my life for the next school year.

We are so fortunate to have had both of our daughters receive a scholarship from the Scholarship Foundation. Our eldest daughter, Keeley, took a gap year between high school graduation and attending her freshman year at the University of Washington. She traveled with our family in search of adventure and volunteer opportunities in Nicaragua. She used her time to volunteer at an education and food program in the barrio El Pantanal. During this period she was able to see first hand many of the challenges that a developing nation faces. Wealth, food and water distribution inequities have made a lasting impression on her and social justice has become a passion for her. Keeley’s freshman year at the UW was spent focused on Latin American studies.  The scholarship provided much needed funding for her education upon our return.

Our middle daughter, Erin, is also a scholarship recipient.  Her year in Nicaragua was spent working on her sophomore year of high school and volunteering at various programs. One of the programs Erin worked with was a clinic in rural Nicaragua. It was here that she was able to see the dire need for quality healthcare and clean drinking water. Erin has decided that with an Advanced Nurse practitioner degree and a command of the Spanish language she will be in a position to help bring healthcare to developing nations in Latin America. This summer our family will return to Nicaragua for what we hope to be a five-year stay. Due in part to the generosity of the Scholarship Foundation Erin will be able to stay in the Seattle area and work on her ARNP degree.

We would like to thank the Scholarship Foundation of Northshore for the part that they played in helping our daughters form and pursue their dreams.

For years, the Woodinville Rotary Club has hosted a ‘Scholarship Award Breakfast’. The focus of the breakfast is on the students who were recipients of a Scholarship Foundation of Northshore scholarship. For me, the highlight of the breakfasts was the short presentations by the scholarship recipients. Each and every recipient would be on the stage to give a summary of his/her circumstances, experiences, educational achievements to date and goals for the future.

I was always captured by the enthusiasm demonstrated by each individual student when talking about themselves, their lives, their strengths and desires. These students are highly motivated and eager to continue on to the next level of education even though burdened with financial need. I have always been struck by the motivation, confidence, excitement and eagerness of scholarship recipients to continue their education. I recall moments when I had to hold back my tears while listening to and observing the students on the stage giving their presentations.

There is no need for any explanations about why we, Rotarians, are supporting the Foundation. For many years, I strived to make modest contributions towards the SFN program at the time of our Club’s annual auction fundraiser. I am happy I can support the Foundation and am confident that these contributions have made a difference in the lives of the students.

Volunteering and giving back has always been an integral part of my life, whether it be through Make-A-Wish or events at school. I first got involved with Rotary my sophomore year of high school volunteering at the annual auction. Being awarded the rotary scholarship was a great honor and I’m extremely thankful. Due to the Make A Difference scholarship I was able to alleviate some of the financial stress off of my parents in terms of college costs. Additionally, it helped me to purchase textbooks for classes, some of which can be $300 each.

The Make A Difference scholarship didn’t only help me financially though, I felt very proud to be recognized for my service to the community. Obviously the purpose of community service is not to gain recognition but being recognized definitely reignited my drive and passion for helping others. Rotary is an incredible organization that not only connects people for professional reasons, but also philanthropic reasons. I hope to continue my involvement in college with Rotaract right now and after college through a rotary club! I’m very thankful for the opportunities this scholarship has provided me and the mission it stands for; Service Above Self.

After being awarded the Woodinville Rotary’s Make A Difference Scholarship I attended Cascadia College where I am still earning my transfer degree. I was so thankful to receive the help. It really inspired me to get started in college. So far my experience at Cascadia has been wonderful. They offer small class sizes which I really prefer after having graduated from the Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) which is also a small environment. I continue to work at Starbucks while earning my degree.

It’s been an honor for my daughter to be the recipient of the Make A Difference Scholarship. This has been a blessing since she’s been able to pursue her dream to attend the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. Through the generosity of the Woodinville Rotary/Scholarship Foundation of Northshore, Kimberly is able to focus and devote her time to her studies and compete in business plan competitions, be active in numerous UW activities, i.e. American Marketing Association, BIG Consulting client team, intern for District Yoga, UW Seattle Rotaract, pledge AKPsi fraternal business organization, etc.

Many students need to work full or part time during the school year and are unable to participate in extra curricular activities and since we are a single income family this is a gift she treasures. Kimberly has big dreams and receiving this scholarship has enabled her to soar high and accomplish her goals this year! Thank you for Making A Difference in her life!

I was pretty shy and quiet in high school so winning the Make A Difference Scholarship was shocking. When I was at SAS I was part of the SAS Music Program which helped develop my performing skills and increase my confidence. I went to Cascadia College then transferred to the U.W. main campus where I earned my bachelor’s in Psychology. I worked throughout SAS and college so when I graduated I did not owe any money! Thank you!

I received the scholarship money multiple years! I kept applying to renew it and they were nice enough to keep awarding it. My family and I can’t afford college so Woodinville Rotary was amazing. I attended Cascadia College then transferred to UW Bothell where I earned my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. I am so grateful to the Woodinville Rotary!