2018 Scholarship Awardees Thank You’s
Rachel Potratz
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for awarding me the Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship. I am forever grateful that I can now devote all of my efforts to the classroom as I study to become an engineer at Cal Poly. I can’t wait for the adventure through my college experience. I look forward to the future when I am able to contribute and donate back to the WSHS Alumni Association and provide scholarships to future WSHS graduates. My family and I thank you for your generosity.
Thank you,
Rachel Potratz
WSHS Class of 2018
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
Emily Cossette
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for awarding me the Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship. I feel extremely humbled and grateful for such a generous award. My parents were happily shocked, to say the least. In fact, I told my mom about this award on Mother’s Day and it made my sister’s gift look pretty mediocre in comparison. But in all sincerity, this scholarship is a tremendous aid to my family and we are extremely thankful.
College tuition seems to be swelling over the years, but through this scholarship, I am able to comfortably attend my four-year college. I have officially committed to the Foster School of Business at the UW and I will keep the association posted on my studies and experience considering the scholarship is ongoing. So, thank you again for giving me this financial aid and the opportunity to focus more on academics and less on tuition. This entire process feels very inspiring to me and I hope that I can someday give back to a WSHS student as you have done for me.
Sincerely,
Emily Cossette
WSHS Class of 2018
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
Will Rasmussen
Dear Alumni of West Seattle High School,
College is looming and the next phase of my life feels daunting at times. I would like to express my gratitude toward the Alumni Association for making my journey into higher education significantly easier.
I hope to use the Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship well while I attend Western Washington University and carry with me the great many memories I have had throughout my time at WSHS. This scholarship is an amazing opportunity of which I intend to honor as I pursue a degree in Computer Science at Western’s Distinguished Scholars program.
Once again, thank you.
Will Rasmussen
WSHS Class of 2018
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
Sonya Chin
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for awarding me with the one time Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship! This generous award means a lot to my family and I going into my freshman year at the University of Washington, as it alleviates much stress involving funding in the future. This will allow me to focus on my academics. After my scholarship interview, I was constantly checking my email every hour in anticipation and was ecstatic and grateful when I learned I would receive this award. I am especially excited to be given the women in science scholarship, as I plan on studying physical therapy in the future. I’m proud to be part of the West Seattle High School community and am honored to accept this scholarship. Thank you for helping my peers and me to continue our journeys in education.
Sincerely,
Sonya Chin
WSHS Class of 2018
Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship
Annie Means
Dear WSHS Alumni,
Thank you so much for awarding me the Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship. This scholarship has lifted an enormous financial burden from my shoulders. I’m so extremely grateful and will be sure to use this money to make West Seattle proud. Hopefully my degree will afford me the opportunity to give back to the West Seattle community and pass on a scholarship of my own to a young student.
Thanks again,
Annie Means
WSHS Class of 2018
Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship
Anna Drew
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
Thank you for granting me the Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship. Next year attending Western Washington will be a challenge. With the help of this scholarship, the stress about finances will be lessened. I look forward to attending Western Washington University to pursue my interest in Biology. I have aspirations of becoming a doctor which will require many years of schooling to achieve. With this very generous scholarship, I am able to get one step closer to my goals.
Sincerely,
Anna Drew
WSHS Class of 2018
Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship
Gabrielle Rackner
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for awarding me the Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship for the 2018-2019 school year. This is an immense help with tuition at the University of Washington and puts my mind at ease. I am also honored to be receiving this specific scholarship since I have found many similarities between Noyes and myself. She promoted women in science, one value I am particularly passionate about. Patricia Feldman Noyes studied physics, which is the field I have interest in as well. I hope to serve her legacy as well.
With your support, I will be attending the University of Washington and plan on majoring in Physics as an undergraduate. I will work alongside graduate students in research and learning at one of the best Physics programs in the country. After my undergraduate degree, I plan on going to graduate school in the same field, preferably at an Ivy League School.
Without your generous support, I’m not sure how I would have turned these dreams into reality, but now my aspirations are coming true. I will make sure to give back to this association when those career dreams are realized.
Thank you,
Gabrielle Rackner
WSHS Class of 2018
Lillian Murphy
Dear West Seattle Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for awarding me the Gary Dobbs Scholarship. I feel honored. My family and I are very appreciative; this scholarship is greatly helpful in covering the cost of college. I am looking forward to attending the University of Washington this fall.
Thank you again,
Lillian Murphy
WSHS Class of 2018
Gary S Dobbs Journalism Scholarship
Caroline Hall
Dear Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for awarding me the Gary Dobbs Scholarship. I am truly honored and can not wait to make you all proud at UW this fall! Your assistance is incredibly reassuring and I know my college experience will be improved knowing the financial burden is lessened. Thank you for your generosity.
Sincerely,
Caroline Hall
WSHS Class of 2018
Gary S. Dobbs Journalism Scholarship
Anthony Giomi
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni,
Thank you for your more than generous donation to my college tuition. This scholarship is more financially important to me than you could ever know. I also would like to thank you for giving scholarships to all the recipients in the senior class. I think it’s an amazing reward for our scholastic achievements and commitment. I enjoyed getting to know you all during the interview process.
Thank you to the Alumni Association, the support and love you show West Seattle is incredible and greatly appreciated. I’m proud to call myself a West Seattle High School alumnus. It wouldn’t be possible without you guys.
Thank you,
Anthony Giomi
WSHS Class of 2018
Jim Finnie Scholarship and WSHSAA Scholarship
Sam Cleary
Dear WSHS Alumni,
I am so honored and grateful for receiving your generous scholarship and for being able to attend the All School Reunion. College is expensive and this scholarship will significantly reduce my student loans.
This has been a long year of completing applications asking me to show four years of trying my best in high school. Thank you so much for recognizing my efforts! Although I cannot wait to graduate and take the next step in my education in the fall, I am still enjoying senior year and finishing strong. I will miss WSHS, but I will be back as an Alumni.
I am thrilled to expand my horizons next year as I transition to being an adult. Thank you for helping me in this pursuit!
Sincerely,
Sam Cleary
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Isabella Carufel
Dear West Seattle Alumni Association,
I would like to thank the Alumni Association for awarding me with the West Seattle High School Alumni Scholarship I am appreciative for being considered and grateful to the Alumni Association for making this possible. The WSHS community has provided many personal growth and learning opportunities over these past four years, helping me be prepared for college. I am excited to continue my education at the University of Washington and proud to be an alumnus of West Seattle High School.
Sincerely,
Isabella Carufel
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Bryn Mader
Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity! This scholarship will help me be successful next year and relieve some of the financial stress that comes alongside college. I am so grateful for your generosity to me and my fellow classmates.
Sincerely,
Bryn Mader
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Hailey Hirano
Dear West Seattle High School Alumni Association,
Thank you for awarding me a scholarship. I am beyond grateful for your generosity. I appreciate your help in making my dream to attend and play collegiate soccer at New York University a reality. It’s no secret that living and learning in Manhattan is expensive. Through this scholarship, I have not only received financial aid, but also the assurance to pursue my dream at NYU’s Stern School of Business.
Sincerely,
Hailey Hirano
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Madalyn Stewart
To the West Seattle High School Alumni,
Words alone do not feel adequate enough to express just how grateful I am that you chose me as a scholarship recipient. While I’ll never give up on my college dreams, they would have been harder to achieve without your generosity. I truly appreciate all the support of the WSHS Alumni Association. Thank you again for granting me this opportunity.
Sincerely,
Madalyn Stewart
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Skylier Britton
Dear Alumni Committee,
Thank you for your time and your generous scholarship. It means so much to me to be chosen & given any amount of money to advance me with my future, along with my education.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope I can make you guys proud!
Skylier Britton
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Riely McCullough
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
It is an honor to be a recipient of the Alumni Scholarship. With your generosity, I am able to continue my education at Dickinson College in the Fall of 2018. During my interview, I was told that they could see I have the world in my hands. Words such as those encourage me to believe in my future and the goals which I will work hard to achieve. I will be forever thankful for this award and the inspiring work the Alumni Association does.
Thank you,
Riely McCullough
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Rilcy Newsome
Thank you Alumni,
I am very grateful for this opportunity of help to further my education.
Thank you,
Rilcy Newsome
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Makhari Dysart
Dear West Seattle Alumni,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue my education at the University of Pennsylvania. Education is a privilege, and I am forever grateful for your generosity in allowing me to continue my pursuit of knowledge.
Makhari Dysart
West Seattle Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Serena Streitman
Dear Alumni Association,
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for awarding me the West Seattle High School Alumni Scholarship. This scholarship will help cover tuition and fees for my upcoming academic year at Western Washington University. As a result, I will be able to devote my first year of college focused on my studies without having to find employment to pay for tuition.
For the past six years, I’ve been a volunteer at the West Seattle Food Bank and it has impacted me in a very powerful way. The opportunity to volunteer at such a young age has taught me to be grateful, compassionate and has helped me develop the work ethic that I have today. I also now know that once I complete my college education, I want to work in some capacity to assist and empower people in need. Therefore, my plan is to major in Environmental Studies or Social Work.
Again, I would like to thank you for your support and generosity. My goal is to give back to the Alumni Scholarship Association in the future so I can pay it forward to upcoming scholars.
Sincerely,
Serena Streitman
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Alex Pastrana
Dear Alumni Association,
I want to express my gratitude for awarding me a scholarship and the chance to continue my education! I plan on studying exercise science at Linfield College and then going on to become a physical therapist. With the help from you guys I am one step closer to achieving my goals without having to worry too much about debt!
Thank you,
Alex Pastrana
WSHS Class of 2018
WSHS Alumni Scholarship
Continuing Scholarships
Annalisa Ursino
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
Thank you so much for the continuation of my Galbreath Scholarship. Without your support, I would not have the wonderful academic and life opportunities that being a Chemical Engineering student at the UW has provided.
For instance, I research thin film solar cells using state-of-the-art technology and complex theory. Plus I am fundraising director for the UW chapter of Engineers Without Borders. In this role, I led the organization of our first annual spring gala, which raised money for our club’s projects that serve underdeveloped communities in Nicaragua & Guatemala. This summer, I have an internship working as a process engineer at a computer microchip manufacturing plant. I will always cherish these experiences, and the many like them, the commonality between which is that they could not have happened without your support.
This scholarship, through the opportunities it has opened for me, has truly changed my life. Being able to go through college without financial stress is the best gift anyone has ever given me. From the bottom of my heart, I thank the Alumni Association and the Galbreath family. I cannot overstate how much of an impact your financial support has made on my family’s life. My goal is to do WSHS proud and I will continue to work hard to do so. I am forever indebted, and cannot wait to pay it back to the WSHS Alumni Association.
Thank you,
Annalisa Ursino
WSHS Class of 2015
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
Ned Sander
Dear Alumni of West Seattle,
It is hard to definitively quantify the amount by which you continue to change my life. There are so few true measures by which I can truly convey my indebtedness and gratitude for having been granted an ongoing Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship three years ago, so in lieu of such absolute measures here are some off-the-cuff figures:
Over the past three years, you have funded 142 of my credits and given me over a thousand hours of instruction and learning. I’ve spent at least as many hours poring over equations, theory and analysis for homework. It has been tough work, but rewarding.
The commute from West Seattle to campus is 60-70 minutes, but I’m fortunate to be able to rent an apartment five minutes from campus because of the financial leeway the Galbreath Scholarship has afforded me. I live with two close friends I met in the dorms during freshman year, again due to the scholarship. Next year I will be living with not only the two of them, but also three other friends I’ve met in my time here.
Over the course of my college career, there are many things for which I’ve been thankful. None, however, have I been more acutely aware of than the gift the Alumni have seen fit to give me. It is a blessing and one I attempt to be worthy of each day I am here. I’m not entirely sure what to write that won’t come off as either too schmaltzy or too aloof, so if I can impart one thought let it be this: The Alumni’s scholarship means the world to me and I would like nothing more than to one day inspire the same dedication and fervor in another, as you have inspired in me. Thank you for being both a part of a wonderful year and a part of a promising year to come.
Regards,
Ned Sander
WSHS Class of 2015
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
August Carow
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
Thank you for awarding me the Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship for the 2018-2019 school year. In my three years at the University of Washington, I’ve worked hard to honor the tremendous gift the Association has given me.
This past year I’ve devoted myself to my studies and earned Dean’s List status for the past three academic quarters. I’ve also become more involved in my community, serving on my department’s Program committee, s well as the Admissions committee. None of this success would have been possible for me without the empowering support of the Alumni Association.
As I transition to my final year at the University of Washington, I will draw inspiration from the selflessness that the members of the Association exemplify. In everything I do, I only hope to live up to the legacy of the alumni of West Seattle High School.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
August Carow
WSHS Class of 2015
Ross & Viola Galbreath Scholarship
Michaela Coontz
To the Alumni and Mr. Paul Smith,
I would like to sincerely thank you for granting me scholarships that allow me to go to the school of my dreams. Thanks to you I am able to pursue my passion for math and I am extremely grateful for the opportunities your help has offered to me.
Thank you,
Michaela Coontz
WSHS Class of 2017
Herb Smith Mathematics Scholarship
Alf & Ruth Larsen Scholarship
Madison Brodahl
Dear West Seattle Alumni Scholarship Committee,
Thank you so much for this continued scholarship. I cannot express how grateful I am and how much this money will help me create a rewarding future. It has been an amazing first year of college. I have faced some difficulties with adjusting to adult life, but overall I am so grateful for the experience and very appreciative for the support the West Seattle Alumni has given me.
Thank you,
Madison Brodahl
WSHS Class of 2017
Patricia Feldman Noyes Women in Science Scholarship
Chris Picinich
Dear WSHS Alumni Association,
I am deeply grateful for the continuation of my WSHS Alumni Scholarship. Having your support has helped me immensely. The financial aid you provide relieves me from needing student loans or having to work and because of that, I am purely able to put all of my time and energy into my challenging coursework.
Your continued support encourages me to always be the best student and person I can be. Just knowing that the WSHS Alumni Association believes in me gives me additional motivation to succeed. I am humbled to be receiving this award and I will continue to ambitiously work toward my aspirations for the future.
Sincerely,
Chris Picinich
WSHS Class of 2017
WSHS Alumni Association Scholarship