Edmonds College Foundation raises $277K in 1st virtual gala

The Edmonds College Foundation raised over $277,000 in its first virtual gala, exceeding its original goal of $230,000.

“Edmonds College students are the future of our community. Our sponsors, donors, guests, volunteers, faculty, and staff have shown these students that we care about their present and future academic and career goals,” said Edmonds College President Amit B. Singh.

The 2020 INSPIRE virtual gala included many of the same elements of past live events: student speakers, a virtual dessert dash, online auctions, and contests and prizes.

“Once we knew the pandemic would make an in-person event impossible, we had to quickly pivot our efforts,” said Brad Thomas, the foundation’s executive director.

Proceeds from INSPIRE will help the foundation maintain its mission of helping more than 1,000 students stay in school. With COVID-19 putting many students out of work and their ability to afford school at risk, the need for support is greater than ever. Over the past six weeks, the foundation has provided 137 students with nearly $60,000 in emergency funding due to the impact of COVID-19 — twice the amount of emergency funding typically provided in a full year.

The event’s keynote student speaker was Brenda Obonyo, executive officer for the student government. Obonyo graduated in June and will attend the University of Washington this fall to pursue a degree in informatics. She is also the recipient of a scholarship and emergency funding through the foundation.

“Edmonds College is not just a place for education,” said Obonyo. “They don’t just care about my grades — no. They care about my well-being.”

Snohomish County PUD winners in student art contest

Snohomish County PUD awarded students at schools in its service territory in an art and photography contest illustrating topics in energy.

The art contest challenged students to create a poster demonstrating their favorite form of renewable energy, such as hydro, wind or solar power.

Winners are: Victoria Kim, Penny Creek Elementary, Caleb Hill and Rylie Scoglio, Hillcrest Elementary, Serenity Anderson, Sultan Elementary, Jude DeWaal, Maplewood PCEP, Callia Park, Forrest View Elementary, Belle Hedglin, North Lake Middle School, Abby Brindle, 10th Street Middle School, Ghazal Mirsane, Alderwood Middle School, Kaitlin Johnson, Mia Nelson and Valentina Santana-Soleiman, Lake Stevens High School.

For the PUD photography contest, high school students were challenged to capture the PUD’s motto of “Energizing Life in Our Communities.”

Winners are: Gabriel Wilhelm, Edmonds-Woodway High School, Audrey Kim and Elijah Croyle, Glacier Peak High School, Emily McDaniels and Cheyenne Rogers, Snohomish High School.

Award certificates and a check for $50 were mailed to each winner.

Arts Festival Foundation announces scholarship winners

The Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation awarded $31,000 in scholarships to 17 area students pursuing higher education degrees in the visual arts. Two additional annual scholarships of $1,500 each were awarded in 2020. Kristen Walter received a scholarship for the second year from the Pamela Mummy Foundation and Quinlon Merrin received a scholarship from the Sambataro Family.

All scholarship recipients are planning to return to colleges or universities in the Fall, regardless of whether their classes are online or in person. “Given the situation with Covid-19, our scholarships were even more important this year to support students in an economy that struggles and where college tuition remains high.

“We are pleased and proud to be able to contribute to keeping the college experience possible for these dynamic, dedicated young artists.” said foundation member and scholarships co-chair Barbara Norgaard-Reid.

The foundation awards scholarships to local students focused on a degree in an arts-related field and taking art classes each semester or quarter. Students who receive scholarships are eligible to apply to renew each year they qualify. Seven scholarships were awarded to renewal students for 2020. This year’s recipients will be attending the following colleges and universities: Cornish College of the Arts, University of Washington, Western Washington University, Loyola Marymount University, Edmonds College, NW College of Art and Design, Shoreline Community College, and Savannah College of Art and Design.

Students receiving scholarships in 2020 include:

Charlotte Day, Khaliun Enkhbold, Dannielle Hulen, Jacqueline Karis, Tesla Kawakami, Lisa Laizure, Brandon Lane, Nini Le, Trevor Leen, Quinlon Merrin, Caroline Monson, Nazar Patriy, Julisa Ruiz, Lena Stavig, Kristen Walter, Linden Whitt and Erick Wong.

More info: www.edmondsartsfestival.com/2020-scholarship-winner-exhibit