By Patrick Scriven & Teri Tobey
In 2016, The Pacific Northwest Annual Conference made a change in its budget to reallocate existing support for student education to a new scholarship fund available to United Methodist students from the Pacific Northwest. This spring, the first round of student applications were received and grants awarded totaling $24,000.
“Our new scholarship fund has allowed us to offer $1,500 grants to 16 United Methodist students from 13 local churches and campus ministries in the PNW Conference,” shared Conference Treasurer Brant Henshaw.
In total, students receiving grants are attending 10 different institutions of higher education in four states, pursuing both undergrad and graduate degrees. Two of the award recipients are seminary students while 38% identify as people of color.
2018 Award Recipients
- Dionica Sy from Beacon UMC studying at University of Washington
- Amanda Cargill from Bothell UMC studying at Washington State University
- Adelia Nunn from Foothills UMC studying at Occidental College
- Lauren Fontanilla from First UMC of Olympia studying at Western Washington University
- Maria Breznau from Saint Andrew’s UMC studying at Saint Martin’s University
- Jessica Mannard from Simpson UMC studying at Washington State University
- Katherine McKay from First UMC of Olympia studying at University of Washington
- Mele K. Taumoepeau Aho from Seattle First Tongan UMC studying at Wesley Theological Seminary
- Melissa Bortnick from Faith UMC studying at Seattle Pacific Seminary/ MDiv
- Kendall Escene from First UMC of Olympia studying at University of Washington
- Nathaniel Lackey from Cornerstone UMC studying at Pacific Lutheran University
- Luke Westbrook from Garden Street UMC/ Wesley at WWU studying at Western Washington University
- Yasmin Carmona from Centro Palabra Viviente studying at University of Washington-Bothell
- Brianna Smith from Selah UMC studying at Gonzaga University
- Kaylissa Beale from Clarkston UMC studying at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
- Lyca Racho from Bothell UMC studying at Gonzaga University
The faithfulness of local churches, and individual United Methodists like you, contributing generously to our connectional ministries through shared apportioned giving makes efforts like this possible. Thank you for those gifts and for your prayerful support of the amazing students we share across the Pacific Northwest Conference!
Patrick Scriven serves as Director of Communications and Young People’s Ministries for the Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Teri Tobey serves as Program Associate for Young People’s Ministries for the PNW and also supported the work of the PNW Scholarship Committee.
