PORT TOWNSEND — The University Women’s Foundation of Jefferson County, an affiliate of the Port Townsend Branch of the American Association of University Women, has awarded more than $65,000 in scholarships to 28 women and girls from East Jefferson County.
Because of the stay-home order in place to protect against COVID-19, recipients were informed by phone calls and emails rather than with the usual annual recognition ceremonies attended by AAUW members, scholarship recipients and their families.
“While the selection and awarding processes were not as in-person as past year events, the quality of the applicants and the excitement of the notifications were just as high and rewarding,” said Gina Webber, publicity chair, in a press release issued Friday.
The awards for women were made across a spectrum of ages and career pursuits, including high school STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), technical school/careers, women returning to college and those continuing college, as well as just starting college applicants.
The criteria for the various scholarships are found on PT AAUW website, along with a description of the annual application process.
Kathryn Molotsky
Here are the recipients:
• Lindsey Hoffman, who is pursuing a bachelor’s in nursing and plans to become a nurse practitioner, was awarded the Elmira K. Beyer (EKB) Scholarship for $11,000.
The EKB is for women who have begun, but not completed, their college education.
• Kathryn Molotsky, now in her second term of completing a master’s of elementary education degree, was awarded $8,500 for an academic scholarship based on the same criteria as the EKB.
• Isabella Harvey, in environmental engineering, was awarded the Constance Anna Pash Scholarship of $3,500 for students in college pursuing STEM degrees with an emphasis on math-based disciplines.
• Katherine M. Davis, pursuing a doctorate in marine ecology, and Samantha Rae, pursuing a master’s degree in Comparative Health Sciences, were awarded Environmental Scholarships for $3,000 each.
• Pallas Burhen, pursuing a bachelor’s in biochemistry, received the Lisa T. Painter (LTP) Scholarship for $5,900.
The LTP Scholarships are awarded to women who plan to study law, fine arts or health care disciplines.
Additional academic scholarships based on the LTP criteria were:
• Mimi Molotsky, aspiring to be an international human rights lawyer ($1,000).
• Emma Liliana O’Shea, pursuing a degree in health care ($550).
• Kelly Grace, who envisions one day opening a healing center ($400).
• Lindsey Hoffman, who plans to become a nurse practitioner ($350).
• Leianna Kunz, who wants to become a family lawyer ($200).
Technical school/career scholarships were received by:
• Samantha Heron, pursuing an AAS in Construction Technology ($5,000).
• Sarah Schreiber, School of Wooden Boat Building, Traditional Wooden Boat Building ($2,500).
• Angela Lungu, School of Wooden Boat Building, Marine Systems Program (to become an engineer) ($2,500).
High school scholarships for the first year of college are offered to women seniors at Port Townsend, Chimacum and Quilcene high schools. Scholarships of $4,000 each were awarded to Anika Avelina, Port Townsend High School; Rachel Matthes, Chimacum High School; and Madison Coffey of Quilcene High School.
Two of the recipients of the 2019 High School Scholarships — Renee Woods and Callay Boire-Shedd — will receive $1,000 Sophomore Assist Scholarships this year.
Three high school students were given STEM awards of $100 each. The Port Townsend, Chimacum and Quilcene students were nominated by their counselors and classroom teachers. Their names were not announced to protect their privacy, Webber said.
