2022-2023 scholarship recipient:
Katya Case
Twila Meeks Scholarship Chair
Katya Case Scholarship Winner
Katya is finishing her Carpentry Degree at Seattle Central College in the Wood Technology Program. After graduation, she plans to work for a local construction company. In the future, she plans to travel and use her skills to help rebuild communities stricken by disaster.
2021-2022 scholarship recipient:
Nhu Nguyen
Nhu pursued two majors at the University of Washington, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health-Global Health and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She was chosen for her strong leadership skills, clear career goals, and her community service. After finishing her undergraduate degrees, Nhu plans to participate in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Associate Program for two years and then go on to graduate studies in public health.
Tatianah Summers
Tatianah studied at Seattle University and received her B.S in Biology with minors in ethics and philosophy. She intends to become a pediatric neurosurgeon with a PhD in ethical considerations around neuroscience and hopes to eventually use her talents and expertise to serve low income communities.
2020-21 scholarship recipient:
Josie McKillop
Josie studied for a degree in Oceanography with a special emphasis on sea turtles. She began her schooling at Bellevue College transferring to the University of Washington. She hopes to work with an organization that rehabilitates sick or injured marine animals. She is a big advocate for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs and would like to participate in local grade school events to help girls see the value of achieving careers in STEM.
2019-20 scholarship recipient:
Nina Mei
2018-19 scholarship recipient:
Jolene Janacek
2017-18 scholarship recipient:
Lana Shamdeen
Scholarship Chair Twila Meeks and scholarship winner Lana Shamdeen.
During her sophomore year at the University of Washington, Lana had the opportunity to volunteer at the University of Washington Medical Center. The experience enabled her to recognize and solidify her desire to work as an adult psychiatrist. Her long-term goals include providing underinsured women with access to affordable and professional mental health care and working with local law makers to write better healthcare legislation. With input from those employed directly in the field, Lana hopes the laws will become more relevant and comprehensive. She is passionate about helping “those who need it most, keeping the cycle of female empowerment going” and aims to “fill the cracks within our healthcare system that many women fall through”.
2015-16 scholarship recipient:
Elisa Tran
Scholarship winner Elisa Tran speaking to the WCC before President Mimi Sheridan presents her with a scholarship check.
Elisa has always found fulfillment in assisting children and younger students and, correspondingly, she pursued a career in pediatrics at the University of Washington. Elisa participated in the UW Dream Project, serving as a mentor, leading weekly lectures, and providing support to others, particularly underserved youth, in understanding health issues. She will use her education to serve as a role model, supporting others in pursuing their educations in STEM fields, and helping young women to reach their full potential.
Scholarship winner Jeri Rosenthal and Scholarship Chair Twila Meeks.
Emma studied history at Seattle University. Her interest is in a career in social work and mental health counseling and has interned as a domestic violence victims’ advocate with the Seattle Prosecuting Attorney’s office, where she helped victims petition for protection orders, listened to their stories, and helped them understand their legal options. “A passion for empowering women goes hand in hand with my passion for mental health,” Emma wrote in her application.
2011-12 scholarship recipient:
Maria Reyes studied business at the University of Washington, majoring in marketing with an international specialty in Japanese. Maria’s career goal is to be “a marketing medium between Japanese and American businesses.” Japan’s workforce is male-dominated, so businesswomen are stereotypically seen as pink-collar workers. To overcome this stereotype, she wants to build up her credibility in order to work with Japanese business clients. Her training in the UW’s Certificate of International Studies in Business (CISB) program will help her gain a deeper understanding of international marketing, network with the Japanese business community, improve her Japanese language proficiency, and develop cross-cultural business skills by studying abroad.
2010-11 scholarship recipient:
Alexandra (Ali) Kyrimis studied nursing at Seattle University and wants to play a part in providing health care that is affordable to all. “I am only an individual, but it takes the passion of one person to make a change in any situation,” she wrote in her application. Ali has volunteered at Childhaven, which works with abused and neglected preschoolers; Treehouse Wearhouse, which provides foster youth with school supplies and clothing; and the King County Juvenile Detention Center. In the summer of 2010 she traveled to Vietnam with the Global Impact Organization, providing medical care to remote villages. “For many of these people, it will be the only time in their life that they will be seen by a medical provider, and I want to help them”.