Gov. Christine Gregoire awards 27 foster youth with scholarships

For Immediate Release: May 20, 2005

OLYMPIA � May 20, 2005 � Gov. Christine Gregoire today awarded Washington State Governor�s Scholarships to 27 Washington foster youth. These scholarships will help children in state-recognized foster, group and kinship care enroll in and complete college in Washington state.

Former Governor Gary Locke, who formed the program in 2001, also attended the ceremony. A total of 55 students who received scholarships during Locke�s administration are now attending colleges and universities.

�I am very pleased that we can help these students pay for their education. I can think of no better investment we could make than in these talented individuals,� Gregoire said. �One need only to look at both Governor Locke and I to realize that you can find your way to the Governor�s Mansion from humble beginnings.�

The scholarship program is primarily funded by proceeds from the annual Governor�s Cup Golf Tournament, which raised over $300,000 for this year�s scholarships. Bob Craves and Ann Ramsay-Jenkins, co-founders of the Washington Education Foundation, were also on hand to commend the students.

�The Washington Education Foundation is honored to manage this program and do our part in helping to provide meaningful futures for these students,� Ramsay-Jenkins said. �We want to provide these students with support and resources. Ours is an organization that cares about each and every student.�

Gregoire also recognized the foster parents in attendance and donned a blue ribbon pin to acknowledge May as National Foster Care Month.

47 students applied for the Governor�s Scholarship Program this year. Additional information can be found on the Washington Education Foundation�s Web site at www.waedfoundation.org/gs/
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Related links: www.governor.wa.gov; www.waedfoundation.org/gs/

Editor�s Note: A list of the 2005 Governor�s Scholarship recipients is attached.

2005 Governor�s Scholarship Recipients

Peter Ajang, Snohomish
Snohomish High School senior plans on attending Seattle Pacific University.

Peter Anei, Federal Way
Federal Way High School senior plans on attending Shoreline Community College.

Daniel Ayiel, Centralia
W.F. West High School senior plans on attending Gonzaga Univeristy.

Timothy Bell, Tenino
Rochester High School senior plans on attending Pacific Lutheran University.

Jonathan Blood, Woodland
Woodland High School senior plans on attending Eastern Washington University.

Alice Bussing, Arlington
Arlington High School senior plans on attending Everett Community College.

Robert Chevara, Monroe
Monroe High School senior plans on attending Highline Community College.

Krena Cummings, Renton
Chief Sealth High School senior plans on attending South Seattle Community College.

Ashley Delorme, Republic
Republic High School senior plans on attending Western Washington University.

Felicia Dewart, Elk
Riverside Alternative High School senior plans on attending Spokane Community College.

Valerie Diaz, Kennewick
Kennewick High School senior plans on attending Columbia Basin College.

Cassandra Garrisey, Bremerton
Central Kitsap Alternative High School senior plans on attending Olympic College.

Rebecca Green, Tacoma
Lincoln High School senior plans on attending Pierce College.

Tara Hendricksen, Des Moines
Mount Rainier High School senior plans on attending Seattle Central Community College.

Jeffery Hoptowit, Wapato
East Valley High School senior plans on attending Clark College.

Daniel Kuir, Centralia
W.F. West High School senior plans on attending Washington State University.

Michael Kuir, Chehalis
W.F. West High School senior plans on attending Central Washington University.

Elizabeth Kuol, Chehalis
W.F. West High School senior plans on attending Centralia College.

Linda Lawrence, Yakima
Naches Valley High School senior plans on attending Spokane Community College.

Jill Marcinkowski, Deer Park
Deer Park High School senior plans on attending Whitworth College.

Benjamin McCall, Renton
Oliver M. Hazen High School senior plans on attending Central Washington University.

Alicia Osterhout, Seattle
Roosevelt High School senior plans on attending Art Institute of Seattle.

Martin Sepulveda, Sea Tac
Mount Rainier High School senior plans on attending University of Washington.

Justin Smith, Yakima
A.C. Davis High School senior plans on attending Eastern Washington University.

Alleasha Steiner, Graham
Bethel High School senior plans on attending Pacific Lutheran University.

Julie Whiteheart, Spokane
East Valley High School senior plans on attending Gonzaga University.

Emerson Wilson, Sammamish
Eastlake High School senior plans on attending Seattle Central Community College.