2019 Scholarship Awardees Thank You’s
Jake Jonson
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for awarding me the Jim Finnie Scholarship and the Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship. Your generosity is overwhelming, and I feel honored.
Both scholarships mean so much to me and my family as I enter into my freshman year at the University of Washington and will go a long way in relieving some of our financial stress.
I have had a wonderful time at WSHS and I am so excited to continue to learn and grow while at the UW. I promise to make you proud!
Sincerely,
Jake Jonson
WSHS Class of 2019
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
Jim Finnie Scholarship
Jake Webley
To the West Seattle High School Alumni
Thank you for your generous scholarship supporting my education. I’m excited to attend Gonzaga University in the fall and can’t wait to get started on this new adventure in my life. I never thought that I would attend a private university such as Gonzaga because of how expensive it is, but your scholarship gives me hope. Hope that I made the right choice, hope that I won’t be drowning in as much debt and hope for my own future. Thank you again for funding not just my education, but my dreams.
Sincerely,
Jake Webley
WSHS Class of 2019
Duke-Rader Scholarship
Emma Foulk
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
I am incredibly thankful for your dedication to West Seattle High School. I have had an amazing experience here; I’ve been gifted opportunities to pursue my passions of math, soccer, art, social justice, and more. West Seattle is a truly exceptional school, filled with caring staff and students. Thank you for recognizing my potential and supporting me as I begin to pursue a higher education. Your financial support, as well as the encouragement from the scholarship committee, create a firm foundation that will help me to succeed in college.
Thank you again,
Emma Foulk
WSHS Class of 2019
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
Jim Finnie Scholarship
Dominic Freeman
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
I am truly honored to receive the Ross & Viola Galbreath scholarship. Having the support of a community like the WSHS Alumni Association goes beyond financial aid. I feel motivated and excited to enter college knowing there is a community (other than my family) that believes in my ability and is willing assist me in reaching my goals. I’ve seen how challenging the University of Washington can be, and I’m especially grateful to know I’ll be able to focus mainly on academics and put aside financial stress. I will proudly represent WSHS and the Alumni Association at UW and will forever be appreciative of your generous award. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Dominic Freeman
WSHS Class of 2019
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
Travers Sorenson
Dear WSHS Alumni,
I would like to express my gratitude to the WSHS Alumni for awarding me the Ross & Viola Galbreath scholarship for 2019. This grant will be a huge help in relieving the financial burden of college. I accepted my admission to Purdue before I found out I had won the scholarship and I knew I was taking a risk by choosing the much more expensive school over Washington State University. When I did the interview for the scholarship, I was heavily leaning towards WSU, but after visiting Purdue a couple days later I realized I wanted to go there so much more. This scholarship has made me considerably more certain about that decision. I love engineering, and I want to be in an environment with other people who do too. I knew Purdue was that kind of place and I’m so glad I get the opportunity to go there. College can be scary and the knowledge that you are accruing large amounts of debt that have the potential to trap you in the future doesn’t help. This money represents greater freedom for me in the future and I am truly thankful to everyone who decided to grant me the award.
Sincerely,
Travers Sorenson
WSHS Class of 2019
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
Ally Veenhuizen
Dear WSHS Alumni,
Thank you for the Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship. I feel very honored to have received this award. I am looking forward to attending SPU and studying nursing. This Scholarship is going to be helpful with my college expenses. Thank you for your generosity.
Sincerely,
Ally Veenhuizen
WSHS Class of 2019
Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science
Karla Borella-Leon
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
I am honored and thankful to be awarded a scholarship from the alumni association. My family and I were so excited when we got the notification that I was chosen to be a recipient. This scholarship allows me to attend college more comfortably and focus more on school and less on work. My fellow classmates and I were so grateful for the opportunity to be interviewed and the aid given to us. Thank you for seeing our potential. We hope to make you all proud.
When I began senior year, I did not know where I would be attending college. Fortunately, I am excited to say I will be attending Seattle University, a dream you helped make come true.
Thank you so much again,
Karla Borella-Leon
WSHS Class of 2019
Patricia Felman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship
Marlee Bennett
Dear West Seattle Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for investing in me and my future endeavors. I cannot adequately express the extent of my gratitude. Because of your generosity, I can peruse my dreams of becoming a teacher and serving my community. This award is not only a blessing to me, but also to my family. I will be furthering my education at University of Portland on the accelerated undergraduate and master’s program in elementary education. I have loved my time at West Seattle High School and will treasure this award as I leave. I truly appreciate the opportunity and gift of the alumni and will use it to make an impact on the world. I look forward to joining the WSHS Alumni Association in future events.
Thank you again,
Marlee Bennett
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Caitlin Bell
Dear WSHS Alumni,
I would like to thank the West Seattle High School Alumni for awarding me with this very generous scholarship! I am very fortunate to be able to attend a 4-year university and the scholarship will make the cost of going be less of a burden on my family. I have always been passionate about environmental science to I am looking forward to study it in the fall and begin the next chapter of my life so thank you so much for helping me get there. I am a soon to be a graduate of WSHS and am so proud to be a part of this wonderful community!
Sincerely,
Caitlin Bell
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Hailey Bell
Dear West Seattle Alumni Association,
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for awarding me the West Seattle High School Alumni Association Scholarship. I was thrilled to learn that I was a recipient and I am deeply honored by your support of my educational goals.
I am very excited to attend Western Washington University next fall and I can’t wait to start. In fact, I have already signed up to start a week early. Western Washington University also has one of the best Environmental study programs in the country and I am eager to enroll in the Huxley college of environment within Western. I cannot wait to see what all Western has to offer and to make Bellingham my new home.
By awarding me the West Seattle High School Alumni Association Scholarship you have reduced my financial burden which will help me focus more on classes and enjoy my college experience. Although, I will soon become a Viking, I will be very glad to be considered a West Seattle High School alum. Thank you once again, I am extremely appreciative of your generosity.
Sincerely,
Hailey Bell
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Sophia Bell
Dear WSHS Alumni,
Thank you so much for choosing to award me with this scholarship. It
truly means so much to have this financial support, College is going
to be a bit of a struggle with me and two of my sisters going to WWU
at the same time, so all the support really means a tremendous amount!
All the help we receive now will make my college experience even
better without having to worry, too much, about fiscal issues, and
will lessen the debt that will follow me after college life, so I can
focus on making a living and have the chance to also give back to my
community.
Thanks Again
Sincerely,
Sophia Bell
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Nina Claflin
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
I truly cannot put into words how much this award to be put towards my tuition at Western Washington University means to me. The association’s generous award will not only help cover the costs of tuition when the time comes for me to depart to college, but also relieves a great deal of stress from my family and I in having to pay for both my twin sister and my college tuition and expenses. I am grateful that I will now be able to further focus on my studies as a mathematics major at Western Washington University, and I am greatly comforted by the fact that the Alumni Association has my back every step of the way in this tough process of going off to college.
I am forever thankful for all of the precious memories that I have made at West Seattle High School and am beyond honored to accept this scholarship presented by the Alumni Association. Having a place in the West Seattle community has been such an important part of my life for many years now. Thank you for aiding me and my classmates in transitioning into the next chapter of our lives!
Sincerely,
Nina Claflin
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Taylor Claflin
West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
Thank you so so much for the scholarship! I had so much fun getting to know you all and am honored that I was chosen for an award. It will help tremendously when paying for tuition this year; my family and I are so thankful!
I have made countless memories at West Seattle and hope I have made a positive impact in the school and community. I will always cherish the friendships and connections I have made here and can’t wait for these next few years spending time in a new city and school, growing and learning even more. Your support and faith in me, financially as well as the words of encouragement during the interview are extremely appreciated and will always be valued.
I will be sure to send photos when I’m studying abroad in Paris and visiting the new Notre Dame!
Thank you so much again! Go Wildcats!
Sincerely,
Taylor Claflin
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Cicely Spicer
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
It means so much to me that the Association could see my passion and drive to reach for my dreams and become a Veterinarian. Thank you so much for supporting me in these first steps towards my goals. Becoming a veterinarian is a long progress so it means so much that the Association could see that I have enough passion to push through. Thank you so much!
Cicely Spicer
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Sarah Gleason
Dear scholarship committee,
I would like to take the time to express my passionate gratitude for your generous scholarship. Thank you for making the application and interview process simple and friendly. I believe that with this scholarship I will be able to better focus on school because I do not have to worry about finances as much. I plan to take full advantage of my education. Thank you again!!!
Sarah Gleason
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Reuben Gut
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
Thank you very much for your time and considering me for the WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship. I am proud to be connected with the great WSHS community. The scholarship you gave me will help allow me to continue my education and baseball career. Not only does this scholarship provide me funds to pay for school, but further motivates me to push myself knowing people like you care about me.
Thanks again,
Reuben Gut
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Adam Wayss
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for awarding me the WSHS Alumni Scholarship. I am grateful and honored to receive your generous scholarship and am very excited about attending Whitman College this fall. I am looking forward to continuing my education and following my passions, whatever they may be. My family and I are very appreciative as this scholarship will greatly help cover the cost of my freshman year. I really enjoyed meeting and talking to all of you during the interview process. Thank you again for your time and consideration of my
application.
Sincerely,
Adam Wayss
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Sophia Crook
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
I want to thank you for providing me with this generous scholarship. Your support for me and my peers will make the paying for college that much easier and less stressful.
Sincerely,
Sophia Crook
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Jenna McPhee
Dear Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for the scholarship you have granted me. I feel truly honored to have
been picked to receive it. This donation will go a long way in helping me achieve my future goals
of being a commercial pilot and I thank you for helping me along my journey. Go wildcats!
Sincerely,
Jenna McPhee
Chloe Simmons
Dear WSHS Alumni,
Thank you so much for not only providing me with the WSHS alumni scholarship, but for simply considering me as a strong applicant. The scholarship was immensely competitive, and I feel extremely honored to be selected as one of few scholarship applicants. I look forward to representing West Seattle High School for not only the rest of my education, but for the rest of my life. I also wanted to say I really enjoyed talking with all the members that interviewed me for this scholarship. I could have sat there and talked for hours, but sadly there was not enough time. I look forward to continuing that conversation and starting many new ones with other alumni members.
Thank you again,
Chloe Simmons
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Kristina Carpio
West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
I am very thankful for this Scholarship opportunity. This $4,000 will help alleviate stress from my parents for a couple of months. Thank you for what you have done for our school.
Best regards,
Kristina Carpio
WSHS Class of 2019
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Continuing Scholarships
Michaela Coontz
To the Alumni Scholarship Committee,
I’d like to sincerely thank you for allowing me to follow my dream to pursue a career in mathematics. I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given and will make the best of my college education.
Michaela Coontz
WSHS Class of 2017
Herb Smith Mathematics Scholarship
Alf & Ruth Larsen Scholarship
Madison Brodahl
Dear West Seattle Alumni,
I cannot begin to thank you enough for this amazing scholarship, what you are providing for West Seattle students is truly amazing. College is a very difficult time in terms of academics and truly being on your own for the first time. With the money you have so generously awarded me to help get through these exciting, stressful and novel times, I am able to experience college with one less obstacle to worry about. At times it can feel like college keeps throwing new challenges at me with walls bigger than the next, but because of your support I know how important it is to continue to drive to get over these walls, not only for myself, but for my West Seattle community. Getting past these walls will hopefully allow me to one day give back just as much as you have for me. I will continue to enjoy these years of college and strive to do the best I can.
Thank you again for this amazing opportunity and your support,
Madison Brodahl
WSHS Class of 2017
Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship
Chris Picinich
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
Thank you for continuing my WSHS Alumni Scholarship. As someone who is very focused on becoming a computer engineer, I appreciate not having to worry about tuition. There is so much knowledge that I aspire to attain and only so much time in a given day. With this aid, I will be able to dedicate my time to mastering the art of computer engineering through intense coursework, cutting-edge research positions and potential teaching-assistant positions. The opportunities made possible by this scholarship are invaluable and, in my journey, I will make WSHS proud and pay it forward.
Sincerely,
Chris Picinich
WSHS Class of 2017
WSHS Alumni Scholarship
Aidan Day
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
First and foremost, I would like to express my greatest gratitude to the Alumni Association for their generosity. The scholarship has allowed me to focus more on my passions in college and made it possible for me to make it through the year without having had to work. With that allowed time I participated in the University of Portland’s club Ultimate frisbee team, Robotics Team, Tennis team, and achieved honors in the Engineering Program. (3.61 GPA)
Aidan Day
WSHS Class of 2018
Duke-Rader Scholarship
Emily Cossette
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
I am very grateful for the continuation of my Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship. Having this financial support takes a big weight off of my family and I. It allows me to focus on my schoolwork and internship without feeling pressure to get a part time job. I have also been able to put more time and energy into other things like the Women in Business Club and the Undergraduate Business Council at UW which have both been super positive additions to my year. I still can’t believe I got this scholarship; the generosity is so incredible. It keeps me motivated to keep trying my hardest in classes and extracurriculars. So, sincerely thank you to the Alumni Association for your support.
Best,
Emily Cossette
WSHS Class of 2018
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
Annie Means
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
I feel so incredibly grateful to be a part of such a caring, generous, and connected alumni network like this. Very few students are so welcomed and encouraged by their high school predecessors. As such I count myself as one of the lucky few. Thank you so much for continuing my Patricia Feldman Noyes scholarship. It lifts such an enormous financial burden off my shoulders has only continued to help stoke my interest in environmental studies and science. I hope one day to be able to give back to the alumni association and pay forward the immense generosity that I have received. Again, thank you all. You have helped me more than you know.
Sincerely,
Annie Means
WSHS Class of 2018
Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship
Sam Cleary
Dear WSHS Alumni,
I am so humbled to receive my ongoing Scholarship- it has gotten larger! College is expensive and this increased scholarship will significantly reduce my student loans. I had a challenging yet rewarding first year of college. This scholarship gave me the peace of mind not to worry about financial worries so I can focus on doing my best in my academic life. Of course, I still had to work many hours a week in Tech Services to increase my savings for school.
Always a wildcat, forever thankful. I hope to one day give back to West Side in some capacity for future wildcat graduates.
Sincerely,
Sam Cleary
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Rachel Potratz
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for awarding me the Ross and Viola Galbreath Scholarship to aid me
through my sophomore year. Your assistance with my freshman year allowed me to experience
the “learn by doing” environment at Cal Poly. I am ever so grateful. I could not imagine myself
at any other place. Thank you for continuing to help me through my college experience and my
efforts towards my degree in materials engineering.
Thank you,
Rachel Potratz
WSHS Class of 2018
Ross & Viola Galbreath
