This year's awards were easily awarded as the applicants were outstanding. Award total for this year was $9,000 and will be distributed to two university students and two students in marine trades programs. We look forward to having them join us in April, or provide a video about their plans. Next year we hope to have more money to give to our awardees. Any impact we can make to improve the skill and knowledge base in our community, benefits us all!
The awards were offered to: Everest Ashford who is a high school graduate, with plans to attend Willamette University and focus studies in the areas of Marine Engineering and Environmental Science. He has a prior background in underwater Remote Operator Vehicle (ROV) development and operation which was applied to derelict crab pot recovery, wreck assessment, and buoy inspections. He becomes the third member of the Ashford family to be supported by our scholarship program.
Jared Diaz Zavalza, is currently completing a second year at the Port Townsend Maritime Academy and also works at the Port Townsend Foundry. This scholarship award will support his goal of attending the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building Systems Program to further his connections to local waters and the careers that support activities on them.