24 North Thurston Education Foundation now receiving scholarship applications

North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) students can now apply for the 2025 North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) scholarships until March 26.  

This year’s scholarships range from $1,000 to $14,000 and can be used for vocational or trade school, college or university. 

“Applicants should demonstrate skills for success in their chosen post-secondary program, good citizenship, and leadership qualities,” the district stated in a post. 

The foundation awarded 24 scholarships in 2024, totaling about $141,000.  

Scholarship types 

NTEF scholarships are based on financial need and merit. Scholarship amounts also vary according to the purpose, benefactor and qualification criteria. 

Full scholarship details and criteria are available on the foundation’s website.  

• Alex Ward Memorial Scholarship ($7,250): This scholarship is in memoriam to Alex Ward, whose career as an NTPS student ranged from kindergarten to high school. This scholarship is available to graduating North Thurston High School seniors planning to attend any certified post-secondary course of study, vocational or academic.    

• Amarah Kendall Memorial Scholarship ($3,000): This scholarship honors Amarah Kendall, a Lakes Elementary fifth grader in 2017-18, for her passion for music and art. This one year, $3,000 merit-based scholarship supports a graduating NTPS senior, who attended Ms. Barr’s fifth grade class in 2017-18 and is continuing their education in a field inspired by their high school studies.  

• Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship ($2,500): This scholarship is in memoriam to Bill Williams, who served on the NTPS Board for more than 25 years and served on the board of NTEF. This one-year, $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to an eligible graduating senior planning to attend a community college or four-year institution outside of Washington.  

• Charles E Callahan Education Scholarship ($2,500): This scholarship is in memory of Charles E. Callahan, the first NTPS superintendent. This $2,500 is given to a graduating NTPS senior planning to attend post-secondary college or university, who shows both merit and demonstrates need. 

• Dr. G Sue Shannon Memorial Scholarship ($2,500): This scholarship honors Dr. G. Sue Shannon, who was one of the founding members of NTEF and the first Executive Director. 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, and demonstrates financial need. 

• Ethel & Vaughan Philpot Scholarship ($2,500): This scholarship is in memoriam of Ethel and Vaughan Philpot. This one-year merit-based $2500 scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in Visual Arts, Engineering or vocational school certification. 

• Firefighters-Lacey Fire L2903 “Drive For Education” Scholarship ($2,000): This scholarship by Lacey Fire Department’s Local 2903 supports students planning to enter the skilled trades. This scholarship offers $2,000 one-year awards to two qualified graduating seniors each from Timberline High School, River Ridge High School, and North Thurston High School for a total of six scholarships.  

• Frank Parker Memorial Scholarship ($7,250): This scholarship is a memorial to U.S. Navy pilot, electrical engineer,and musician Frank Parker. This scholarship is for a student with a 3.5 GPA or above, exhibits financial need, who plans to pursue STEM-focused coursework at a two or four-year college or university.  

• Friendship-Family Scholarship ($3000): A group of female friends who consider themselves family established this scholarship. This one-year scholarship will be awarded to a female or female-identifying senior who will attend a two-year, four-year or trade school in the state, and demonstrates financial need and has at least a 2.0 GPA.  

• Gillis Breaking Barrier Scholarship ($2,500): The scholarship is given to a student who has established educational or vocational goals and has a significant need. This scholarship can be applied toward the costs of attending a community college in Washington, or an accredited vocational or trade school. 

• James Koval Memorial Scholarship ($2,500): The scholarship was established in memory of Dr. James Koval, a former NTPS superintendent, to recognize his leadership and service to the district. The one-year scholarship will be awarded to a student who demonstrates financial need and plans to attend a community college or four-year institution in Washington.

• Jeannette Hostetter Ford Memorial Scholarship ($3,000): This scholarship honors former teacher Jeannette Ford. This one-year scholarship supports the education of a graduating senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA, who intends to pursue an education or history career. 

• John Gott Education Scholarship ($4,000): The scholarship is in memoriam of Dr. John Gott, a former NTPS Superintendent. The one-year scholarship will support the education of a graduating senior, who is pursuing a career in education and demonstrate financial need.  

• Lewis R Hawthorne & Edna C Hawthorne Scholarship (Tuition and mandatory fees for two years): These scholarships were established by a bequest from the estate of Lewis R. Hawthorne and Edna C. Hawthorne. Four scholarships will be awarded annually: two to a graduating North Thurston High School senior and two to a graduating senior from Timberline High School.  

• Lisa Corwin Memorial Scholarship ($5,000): The scholarship honors Lisa Corwin, a graduate of North Thurston High School. Applications to colleges and universities outside of the 13 western states are prioritized. 

• Nicholas T Walker Scholarship ($2,500): The scholarship was established by the parents of Nicholas T. Walker, a 1984 graduate of Timberline High School who tragically died in a boating accident in 1987. The 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.  

• Porter Scholarship for Hope ($2,500): The scholarship was established by the Porter family to aid the resilience of youths who have experienced a grave medical condition, homeless or other challenges during high school. This scholarship is only dependent on financial need.  

• Rahman Family Scholarship ($1,000): The Rahman family initiated this scholarship to encourage the pursuit of higher education. This one-year scholarship will be awarded to a student who exhibits financial need and is entering the field of technology or STEM at a community college, four-year institution, a technical school or an accredited certification program.   

• Roy Pedersen Memorial Scholarship ($2,500): The scholarship is in memory of Dr. Roy Pedersen, a former NTPS associate superintendent. This one-year scholarship will go to a student, who demonstrates financial need and plans to attend a community college or four-year institution in Washington.

• Sharon Labuda Memorial Scholarship ($1,900): This scholarship honors Sharon Labuda, a dedicated counselor from 1987 to 2023. This one-year scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Timberline student who demonstrates financial need and plans to attend a two-year, four-year or vocational/trade school in Washington.

• Sharon Thomas Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is in memory of Sharon Thomas, who was one of the teachers that helped open Timberline High School. This one-year scholarship will be donated to a graduating Timberline student, who shows financial need and plans to attend a two-year, four-year or vocational/trade school in Washington.

• Skip Scoggin Memorial Scholarship ($2,500): This scholarship honors NTPS student and North Thurston High School football coach Skip Scoggin. This scholarship is only available to graduating seniors from North Thurston High School who played sports and have financial need. 

• Supporting Women in STEM Scholarship ($5,000): This scholarship will support a graduating female NTPS student who will attend a two- or four-year college/university and intends to earn a degree in a STEM-related field. This scholarship is based on significant financial need. 

• Violet Davies Vocational-Technical Scholarship ($4,000): The scholarship was established as a memorial to former high school teacher Violet Davies. The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior, who will be pursuing post-secondary vocational-technical studies and demonstrates financial need.  

For more information, individuals may contact Executive Director Deanna East at deanna@ntef.org or Scholarship Chair Nancy Cutlip at ncutlip@nthurston.k1wa.us.