The Washington Association of County Officials has announced the five individuals to receive the 2015/16 Washington Counties Scholarship Fund award.
Both the Washington Association of County Officials and the Washington State Association of Counties administer the scholarship. The scholarship awards five eligible dependents of county employees or elected officials $3,000 annually. To date the organizations have awarded over $190,000 to deserving individuals.
"We are very excited to see individuals from geographically diverse parts of the state win this year," says Washington Association of County Officials Executive Director Scott Blonien, "It is a testament to the hard work and ambition of students throughout the state."
Klickitat County Commissioner David Sauter, current President of the Washington State Association of Counties noted that, “it was extremely difficult to make our Washington Counties Scholarship Fund choices this year. The parents, teachers, and communities of all our applicants should be very proud of their students’ academic achievement and community involvement.” Commissioner Sauter went on to say, “It is really very exciting to see how these scholarships will assist these outstanding students pursue their college degrees.”
This year's recipients are: Connor Custis of McCleary, Abigail Hail of Tonaskety, Barbara Carol Millward of Castle Rock, Rielly Richards of Oak Harbor and Ashley Stone of Kennewick.
Connor Custis is an Elma High School graduate from McCleary, Wash. He plans on attending at University of Portland with a major in engineering with career plans to open a private engineering firm. Connor is son of Elizabeth Custis, Mason County Public Health Nurse.
Abigail Hale is an Omak High School graduate from Tonasket, Wash. She will be attending University of Idaho. Abigail plans on pursuing a career in environmental engineering following college. Abigail is the daughter of Doug Hale, an Okanogan County Health Inspector.
Barbara Carol Millward is a Castle Rock High School graduate from Castle Rock, Wash. who will be attending Pacific Lutheran University. Barbara plans on earning a dual major in Spanish and chemistry with an emphasis on biochemistry. A cancer survivor, Barbra plans on pursuing a career in medicine. Barbara is the daughter of Alice Millward, a judicial assistant for Cowlitz County.
Rielly Richards is Oak Harbor High School graduate from Oak Harbor, Washington and who will be attending University of Washington. Rielly plans on studying public health with an additional focus of domestic violence where she plans on eventually working on reducing harm associated to the violent sex trades in Thailand. Rielly is the daughter of Lynda Richards, Assistant Director for Island County Human Services.
Ashley Stone is currently attending the University of Washington where she is biochemistry major. Ashley has developed an interest in ocular preservation due to her closeness with her grandmother who is legally blind. The Kennewick native plans to complete her work a year early and apply for optometry school. Ashley is the daughter of Robin Stone who works in the Benton County Assessor’s office.